KATHMANDU, Dec 12: The government has stopped Panchen Lama, also known as Gyaltsen Norbu, from visiting Nepal to participate in the 'Nanhai Buddhism Round Table'. He was set to arrive in Nepal alongside government officials and monks from around 20 countries for the event scheduled from Thursday to Sunday.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had shown interest in this matter. After his concern, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak urged Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi to coordinate. A lengthy discussion took place on Wednesday between Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi and Tourism Secretary Ganesh Prasad Pandey. Following that, the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu was informed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding whether he would come to Nepal or not. The embassy confirmed that he would not be coming.
"We clearly informed the embassy, and they stated that there is no program for the Panchen Lama to come," said a senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA). However, after information reached the ministry that he might come by hiding his original identity, the government machinery has been put on high alert.
After news of the Panchen Lama's visit emerged, Prime Minister Oli expressed concern, leading to the resignation of Lharkyal Lama, the chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust. He has been silent, blaming the government machinery for the last-minute cancellation of the Panchen Lama's visit.
According to information received by Republica, Lharkyal is currently staying at the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu. According to officials of the Trust, Lharkyal was the one coordinating the arrangements. "Now there’s a commotion; Lharkyal has stepped back," said those officials. However, claiming that the Ministry of Tourism was coordinating for the visit, he has been silent, cutting off communication.
Chinese religious leader Panchen Lama to visit Nepal
Due to significant geopolitical influences in Nepal, it has been suggested that the Panchen Lama's visit may have been halted. Concerns have arisen that the Nepali government could have imposed this restriction because both India and the United States are closely monitoring the situation. A chartered flight from Chengdu, China, is set to arrive in Nepal, but since it is bringing religious leaders, not all of their details have been disclosed to Nepal.
The Nepal government has not provided any formal information on this matter. The Chinese embassy in Nepal has also not issued any statements. However, preparations for the Nanhai Buddhism Round Table, which will be held at the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu, are underway and are expected to be grand.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has only provided information that a chartered flight from China is coming to the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, but details about who will be arriving have not been received by CAAN as of the drafting of this news. "We have received information that religious leaders are coming from China, and there is confirmation of a chartered flight, but we do not have details on who exactly is coming," said a source from CAAN.
The visit of the Panchen Lama, a religious leader prepared by the Chinese government to participate in the 'Nanhai Buddhism Round Table,' was initiated for additional security measures. Since the 14th Dalai Lama, currently in exile, has not declared a successor, the arrival of the Panchen Lama, also known as Gyaltsen Norbu, prompted preparations for his security and the event itself. According to the current schedule, the Panchen Lama was expected to arrive in Nepal on December 14.
The information about his arrival was also disclosed by officials of the Lumbini Development Trust. With his visit to Nepal, there were reports that a 227-member delegation, including Chinese armed police, would be accompanying him.
However, after the Nepal government issued a message to halt his visit, it has been reported that security personnel will also be withdrawn. A 10-member delegation of esteemed Buddhist leaders from China, led by Yin Sun, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, has already arrived in Nepal on a Thai Airways flight TG 319 for the Nanhai Buddhism Round Table.
The visiting delegation includes Xiu Jiawen, Sun Jinghao, Liu Guoxin, among others. They were welcomed to Nepal by Chen Song, the Chinese ambassador. Preparations for the Nanhai Buddhism Round Table are underway at the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu. With the arrival of the religious leaders prepared by the Chinese government, additional security measures have been implemented for the event. Lharkyal Lama, the vice-chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust, was set to personally welcome them. However, following news of the Panchen Lama's arrival and subsequent government efforts to halt the visit, sources claim that Lharkyal has become stressed.
The Dalai Lama, 89, who is respected worldwide, has asserted that the authority over his reincarnation lies with him. However, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is promoting its appointed successor, Gyaltsen Norbu.
Countries like the United States have accused China of attempting to undermine the Dalai Lama by using Norbu as the Panchen Lama within the traditional Tibetan Buddhist framework. Following the news of his impending visit to Nepal, there has been increased interest surrounding this issue. The Panchen Lama was appointed by the CCP). Although the government machinery was aware of his visit to Nepal on December 3, measures to halt it were only initiated on Wednesday.
Dalai Lama’s arrival was also stopped
The then-government of Lumbini Province was directly involved in organizing the Summit on Children, Development, and Peace, which was scheduled to take place on March 11 and 12, 2024. The Dalai Lama was expected to attend this summit organized by the American organization Laureates and Leaders. However, the Nepal government did not grant permission for the Dalai Lama to participate.
The Dalai Lama's involvement as a founding member of the organization Laureates and Leaders had brought controversy to the summit. Although he has participated in three similar events outside Nepal, he was barred from coming to Nepal for this one, which was the fourth of its kind. After the then Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Dilli Chaudhary gave the green light for the Dalai Lama's visit, preparations began. However, he did not come to Nepal due to the federal government's refusal to grant permission.
