The title was first conferred by Qosot Mongol Gushri Khan upon Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen in the middle of the 17th century. He was an abbot of the Tashihumpho Monastery. However, like the Sonam Gyatso (the first one to be conferred with the title of the Dalai Lama), Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen had predecessors in his lineage and as such he is not regarded as the 1st Panchen Lama. His three predecessors included Khedrup Je, Sönam Choklang and Ensapa Lobsang Döndrup.
Like the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama is Living Buddha system of the Gelug sect. The Panchen Lama is regarded as the incarnation of Amitayus, Buddha of Infinite Light.
Tashilunpo Monastery is considered the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Till date, there have been eleven Panchen Lamas.
The Succession of Panchen Lama
Like the selection of the Dalai Lama, the process of choosing a new Dalai Lama begins with reincarnation prophesies of the late lama before his death. Assisting the search team in the job further are the portents of unusual phenomena that take place around the death of the last lama and the oracles of the Buddhist Guardians.
The search team usually comprises esteemed living Buddhas and the disicples close to the late Panchem Lama. The entire process of finding takes few years and is conducted in secret. The candidates who come up in proces are put through questions wherein they have to identify their predecessor's belongings. The accuracy of the choice finally decides who is the eligible candidate to bestowed the title of the Panchen Lama
The Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama have the responsibility of finding an incarnation of each other. Like the 5th Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang recognised Lobsang Yeshe as the 5th Panchen Lama. Later, the 7th Dalai Lama recognised the 6th Panchen Lama who on his part recognised the 8th Dalai Lama. Similarly the 8th Dalai Lama recognised the Seventh Panchen Lama.
The 10th Panchem Lama, recognised under the supervision of the Chinese officials in 1949, was a highly controversial figure who tied know with a Chinese woman and even had a daughter. He also underwent imprisonment and house arrest before dying a sudden death in Shigatse. Despite all criticism and controversy coming hisway, the 10th panchen Lama held immense respect amongst the Tibetans who believed that he was there in Tibet to protect the cause of the native people.
The 11th Panchen Lama, too, is embroiled in controversy, but of a different kind. The current Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso recognised Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995, however, the People's Republic of China quickly stepped in and named another child Gyancain Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama. The child, earlier recognised as Panchen Lama was taken into the protective custody by the PRC authorities and till date his wherabout remains a mystery.
Names of the Panchen Lamas And Their Lifespan
1. Khedrup Je - 1385-1438
2. Sönam Choklang -1438-1505
3. Ensapa Lobsang Döndrup - 1505-1568
4. Lobsang Chökyi Gyalsten -1570
5. Lobsang Yeshe -1663-1737
6. Lobsang Palden Yeshe -1738-1780
7. Palden Tenpai Nyima 1782-1853
8. Tenpai Wangchuk -1855
9. Thubten Chökyi Nyima -1883-1937
10. Lobsang Trinley Lhündrub Chökyi Gyaltsen -1938-1989
11. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima / Qoigyijabu -1989- / 1990
