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Gedhun Choekyi Nyima

Updated: 12/20/2025, 12:38:31 PM Wikipedia source

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (born 25 April 1989) is the 11th Panchen Lama belonging to the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, as recognized and announced by the 14th Dalai Lama on 14 May 1995. Three days later, on 17 May, the six-year-old Panchen Lama was kidnapped and forcibly disappeared by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), after the Chinese government failed in its efforts to install a substitute. A Chinese substitute is seen as a political tool to undermine the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, which traditionally is recognized by the Panchen Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima remains forcibly detained by the CCP, along with his family, in an undisclosed location since 1995. His khenpo, Chadrel Rinpoche, and another Gelugpa monk, Jampa Chungla, were also arrested. The United Nations, with the support of numerous states, organizations, and private individuals continue to call for the 11th Panchen Lama's release. The Panchen Lama was born in Lhari County, Tibet Autonomous Region, from where he was kidnapped under the authority of the People's Republic of China. He has been called the world's youngest political prisoner. Since his recognition as the 11th Panchen Lama, he continues to be forcibly detained, along with his family, by the Chinese government, and has not been seen in public since 17 May 1995. In a response to growing international pressure from the United Nations, governments of various states, and in 2020 from 159 independent organizations from 18 countries working with the United Nations, on 19 May 2020, the Chinese government alleged that the Panchen Lama is "now a college graduate with a stable job", but has not provided supporting evidence. The Chinese government continues to refuse the Panchen Lama's and his family's release, or allow them to meet with observers.

Infobox

Reign
14 May 1995–present(CTA interpretation, disputed by Chinese Communist Party proxy Gyaincain Norbu)
Predecessor
Choekyi Gyaltsen 10th Panchen Lama
Born
(1989-04-25) 25 April 1989 (age 36)Lhari County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Disappeared
17 May 1995(1995-05-17) (aged 6)Lhari County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Status
Missing for 30 years, 7 months and 3 days

Tables

· External links
Buddhist titles
Buddhist titles
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima Panchen LamaBorn: 1989 April 25
Buddhist titles
Preceded byChoekyi Gyaltsen
Preceded byChoekyi Gyaltsen
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima Panchen LamaBorn: 1989 April 25
Preceded byChoekyi Gyaltsen
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima Panchen LamaBorn: 1989 April 25
Reincarnation of the Panchen Lama(Government of Tibet in Exile interpretation) 1995–present
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima Panchen LamaBorn: 1989 April 25
Incumbent
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima Panchen LamaBorn: 1989 April 25
Buddhist titles
Preceded byChoekyi Gyaltsen
Reincarnation of the Panchen Lama(Government of Tibet in Exile interpretation) 1995–present
Incumbent

References

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    https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-convention-protection-all-persons-enforced
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  40. phayul.com
    https://www.phayul.com/2025/11/05/53247/
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