First Panchen Lama Panchen Lama

3rd panchen lama, b.1505 - d.1556

great fifth , known, pronounced panchen incarnation of dhayani buddha amitābha.

the 5th dalai lama requested panchen accept tashilhunpo monastery, built 1st dalai lama, multi-lifetime seat future incarnations. since then, every incarnation of panchen lama has been master of tashilhunpo monastery , there have received education , mummified bodies enshrined.

when lobsang chökyi gyaltsen died in 1662, 5th dalai lama commenced tradition of searching next incarnation. reserved traditional title of panchen had been courtesy title exceptionally learned lamas - exclusively successors. khedrub je, sönam choklang , ensapa lobsang döndrup posthumously decided 5th dalai lama have been previous incarnation of lobsang chökyi gyaltsen, 4th panchen lama (1570–1662). traditionally, there considered 4 indian , 3 tibetan incarnations before khedrup, starting subhuti, 1 of original disciples of gautama buddha. gö lotsawa considered first tibetan incarnation of amitabha in line.

the recognition of panchen lamas has been matter involving dalai lama. choekyi gyaltsen, 10th panchen lama, himself declared, cited official chinese review according tibetan tradition, confirmation of either dalai or panchen must mutually recognized. involvement of china in affair seen political ploy try gain control on recognition of next dalai lama (see below), , strengthen hold on future of tibet , governance. china claims however, involvement not break tradition in final decision recognition of both dalai lama , panchen lama traditionally rested in hands of chinese emperor. instance, after 1792, golden urn thought have been used in selecting 10th, 11th , 12th dalai lamas; 14th dalai lama, tenzin gyatso, has more claimed used in selection of 11th, , in other cases used humour chinese confirm selection had been made traditional methods.