On the morning of December 8, the symposium on the Living Buddha reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism was held in Xigaze City, Xizang. Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and president of the association’s Xizang branch, attended the event and delivered a speech.

Chang Zang, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, Tsonlo Champa Kedup and Salung Phunlha, vice chairpersons of the Xizang Committee of the CPPCC, and Sertri Choskyi Lodrup Gyatso, vice chairman of the Qinghai Committee of the CPPCC, attended this symposium. Dupkang Tupden Kedup, vice chairman of the Xizang Committee of the CPPCC, presided over the event.

In the speech, Panchen Rinpoche noted that in 1995, the central government officially recognized my succession to the tenth Panchen, a process that fully complied with the religious rites and historical conventions. This represents a successful practice of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) religious policies in the field of the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, fully demonstrating the central government’s high attention to the work concerning the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, comprehensively displaying the sacredness and solemnity of the reincarnation process, and profoundly confirming that the management of affairs concerning the reincarnation of Living Buddhas must adhere to the laws and regulations. Over the past 30 years, the Central Committee of the CPC has consistently attached great importance to my growth. General Secretary Xi Jinping has met with me twice and expressed earnest expectations. Following the reform and opening-up, especially from the 18th National Congress of the CPC onward, the management of reincarnation affairs has entered a more standardized and law-based phase, marked by the promulgation and implementation of the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. A consensus has been reached that the reincarnation of major Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism must follow the principle of “carrying out the search domestically, drawing of lots from the golden urn, and gaining approval by the central government”.

Panchen Rinpoche stressed that the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism must adhere to the principle of law-based management.

The Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism provides the fundamental basis for advancing affairs concerning the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in accordance with the law. Only when reincarnation is carried out in compliance with laws and regulations can the effectiveness and purity of the reincarnation system of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism be genuinely safeguarded.

It is imperative to uphold the principle of religious rites. Only by adhering to the religious rites can the reincarnation process earn the support of the Tibetan Buddhist community and secure the faith of the broad mass of believers.

It is imperative to uphold the principle of historical conventions. Successive central governments in Chinese history have exercised strict management over the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, forming a comprehensive set of rigorous historical conventions. Only by following these conventions, fully manifesting national sovereignty and government authority, safeguarding national unity and ethnic solidarity, and maintaining social harmony and stability, can Tibetan Buddhism achieve sound inheritance.

It is imperative to uphold the principle of independence and self-management. The search for and identification of reincarnated soul boy must adhere to the important principles of “conducting domestic searches, drawing lots from the golden urn, and obtaining approval from the central government”, and must absolutely reject interference or manipulation by any external organization or individual. Only by giving full play to the primary role of Buddhist associations and the pivotal role of eminent monks and religious figures can the sacredness and authority of the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism be manifested.

It is imperative to uphold the Party’s leadership. Only by adhering to the leadership of the CPC and continuously enhancing the law-based governance of religious affairs can we guarantee the sound inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism and earn the heartfelt support of the broad mass of believers.

Chang Zang, on behalf of the Buddhist Association of China, extended his congratulations on the convening of the Symposium on the Reincarnation System of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. He stated that the promulgation and implementation of the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism have played an important role in maintaining the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism and promoting its sound inheritance. He emphasized that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, and that guidance should be provided to Tibetan Buddhism for it to adapt to socialist society, thereby contributing to the sound inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism and religious, social, and ethnic harmony.