The Rebirth of a Lama: How the 10th Panchen Lama Was Discovered and Trained in Tibetan Buddhism

In the 1950s, the 10th Panchen Lama was living and studying at the Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Monastery). The succession of spiritual leaders in Tibetan Buddhism has long followed the system of recognizing reincarnated children—known as tulkus—to carry on the legacy of their predecessors.

 Reincarnated Tulkus in Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the Gelug school—also known as the Yellow Hat sect—was founded by Je Tsongkhapa. His two main disciples eventually became the progenitors of two major reincarnated lineages: the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.

As religious leaders, these figures begin their monastic education in early childhood, immersing themselves in Buddhist scriptures and teachings.

The reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism is seen as a divinely inspired and wise method of succession. It not only ensures the spiritual continuity of the previous generation but also allows the next spiritual leader to be cultivated from a young age. Furthermore, it prevents the manipulation or usurpation of religious authority by external forces, something that often plagued dynastic successions in secular history.

When a great Lama passes away, their spiritual essence departs from the physical body. While the body is enshrined in a stupa, the spirit is believed to roam freely, seeking a child with deep karmic affinity to be reborn into the world and resume the mission of enlightenment and compassion.

The journey from a reincarnated child to a revered Lama is rigorous. The life of the 10th Panchen Lama vividly illustrates this sacred process.

How Gonpo Tseten Was Recognized as a Tulku

After the 9th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Thubten Chökyi Nyima, passed away at Ragya Monastery in Yushu, Qinghai, countless monks and laypeople gathered outside the temple in the snow to pay their respects, offering khatas and other gifts.

Inside the main hall, the other Lamas and monastic administrators, known in Tibetan as khenpos, lit a thousand butter lamps. The air was filled with flickering flames and fragrant incense as the monks chanted sutras, praying for the swift rebirth of their revered teacher.

Their prayers were answered when a boy named Gonpo Tseten was born in Xunhua County, Qinghai—believed to be the reincarnation of the 9th Panchen Lama.

After completing the funeral rites, the Khenpo Meeting Hall dispatched several groups to search for the reincarnation. From their investigations, 17 intelligent and spiritually inclined Tibetan boys were brought to Kumbum Monastery for the first round of selection.

Five boys were soon deemed unsuitable, narrowing the candidates to 12. A second round of assessments reduced this number further to 6. These children were then temporarily returned to their families while the monastery prepared for their religious training.

When preparations were complete, the children were brought back for formal studies. After a period of instruction, another round of selection took place—but a mistake was made. A boy named Chötenge Lobsang Gyatso was incorrectly identified as the tulku.

Gonpo Tseten, the true reincarnation, returned home with the other children. Before departing, he reportedly said to the monastic officials, “You’ve chosen the wrong boy. He will be in danger.”

Tragically, the selected child soon passed away. The Khenpo Meeting Hall, recalling Gonpo Tseten’s words, was deeply shaken. Determined to avoid further mistakes, they implemented additional verification measures, including identifying the 9th Panchen Lama’s personal belongings, burning incense and drawing lots, and consulting Lamas for divination.

In this rigorous selection, Gonpo Tseten correctly identified the previous Panchen Lama’s robe, vest, mala beads, ivory ring, and teacup—objects only someone with a true spiritual connection would recognize.

Even more compellingly, while observing the selection ceremony, Gonpo Tseten pointed to a woman in the crowd—someone who had performed Tibetan opera for the 9th Panchen Lama—and addressed her by name, despite never having met her before.

This demonstration of inherited spiritual memory convinced the officials that Gonpo Tseten was indeed the true reincarnation.

The 10th Panchen Lama’s Training at Kumbum Monastery

Once officially recognized, Gonpo Tseten began his formal education on the path to becoming the 10th Panchen Lama, Choekyi Gyaltsen.

He had two primary teachers: Lako Rinpoche, who had also been the 9th Panchen Lama’s teacher, and a monk named Jaya who had lived with Gonpo Tseten’s family since his selection process began.

Each morning, the young Panchen Lama studied the Tibetan language and memorized scriptures. His first textbook was Thirty Verses, a foundational grammar text composed of thirty four-line verses—120 lines in total.

The first Buddhist text he studied was The Refuge of the Noble Heart, from which he had to memorize several pages each day. This was challenging for such a young child, as the concepts were difficult and abstract.

He later studied The Confession Sutra of the Thirty-Five Buddhas, which he had to memorize in its entirety and also understand its meaning. The text was long, esoteric, and often daunting.

Despite being lively, curious, and bright, the young Panchen Lama preferred critical thinking over rote memorization. He had a strong desire to learn but struggled with repetitive study.

In the afternoons, he practiced calligraphy. Unlike Chinese brush calligraphy, Tibetan calligraphy training began on wooden boards, often made from walnut or birch and painted black. Students applied white powder over the surface and used bamboo pens to trace characters over and over again—writing, erasing, and rewriting dozens of times each day.

Only after two to three years of such grueling practice were students allowed to write on paper.

As he progressed, the Panchen Lama's studies became more structured. Lako Rinpoche eventually retired due to age and illness, and Jaya became his official teacher.

In the evenings, the Panchen Lama would often visit his parents or speak with a senior monastic official named Jigmey.

Jigmey, who had served as the Panchen Lama's external affairs advisor since the previous incarnation, was a learned and worldly man. Although not a formal teacher, he had a deep influence on the young Lama’s worldview and understanding of society.

The Panchen Lama also frequently consulted with geshes (scholars of Buddhist philosophy) and khenpos (monastic administrators) to broaden his knowledge. While geshes focused on scriptural studies, khenpos provided insights into monastery governance.

Through these many channels, the 10th Panchen Lama deepened both his spiritual and worldly understanding.

By 1950–1951, he had grown into a handsome young lama. In the years that followed, he would go on to perform countless religious and social duties, gradually becoming a true spiritual leader.

 Reflection

Gonpo Tseten's journey—from a reincarnated child to Choekyi Gyaltsen, the 10th Panchen Lama—was one of devotion, discipline, and determination. Every step of the way required patience and perseverance.

For ordinary people like us, the takeaway is simple yet profound: to become who we aspire to be, we must walk steadily and earnestly on our chosen path. Every achievement is the result of sincere effort and hardship. The journey is never easy—but it is always worth it.