The story of one of Buddhism’s most revered figures, long missing, explained
Taken by China 30 years ago, the Panchen Lama’s abduction underscores Beijing’s bid to interfere in the succession of the Dalai Lama, who turns 90 this year. The young boy who was abducted as a 6-year-old turned 36 on Friday. What he does, where he lives or even if he’s still alive isn’t known, thanks to the reticence of the Chinese government, which kidnapped him along with his family and his teacher 30 years ago. Beijing leaders, ever wary of potential rivals for the Communist Party’s authority, viewed the boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as a possible threat.