Gyaincain Norbu

Who is Gyaincain Norbu?

Gyaincain Norbu is the eleventh Panchen Lama of Tibetan Buddhism as recognised by the government of the People's Republic of China. He is also the vice president of the Buddhist Association of China.

Norbu was selected by the drawing of his name from a Golden Urn, a method used in the selection of the 10th, 11th, and 12th Dalai Lamas. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the boy selected by the 14th Dalai Lama and Chadrel Rinpoche, the then-incumbent abbott of Tashilhunpo Monastery, has been detained in a series of unknown locations by the Chinese Government since the exile government selected him. Neither the Chinese nor the Tibetan exile governments recognize each other's selection for the Panchen Lama.