Dharamsala: The Dalai Lama has recognized an 8-year-old boy from the United States as one of the highest spiritual leaders in Buddhism. The boy, born in Mongolia, has been named as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche.
While the enthronement ceremony has not yet taken place, a photograph of the young boy presenting traditional offerings to the Dalai Lama was released by the Dalai Lama office earlier this year.
During a teaching discourse at the Main Temple at McLeodganj on 8th March, the Dalai Lama had announced the presence of the reincarnated Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche of Mongolia.
The boy had attended the teachings and preliminary Chakrasamvara empowerment with a group of Mongolian devotees. The 9th Khalkha Jetsun Rinpoche was a Tibetan who passed away in Mongolia in 2012.
It is unclear whether the boy’s seat is the 3rd top Buddhist seat or not, as the Dalai Lama’s office has remained silent on the matter. However, the recognition of the boy as a spiritual leader is significant, especially given the controversy surrounding the recognition of the current 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.
In 1995, the Dalai Lama recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama, but the Chinese government kidnapped him and his family three days later.
The Chinese government then named Gyaincain Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama, a nomination that has been widely rejected by Buddhists in Tibet and abroad.
Several international organisations and governments have called for information about and the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
