The New Yorker, March 29, 2004 P. 42

A REPORTER AT LARGE about Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo (a.k.a. Renji), the daughter of the tenth Panchen Lama and her evolvong role in relations between China and Tibet… Writer tells about being met at Dulles airport by Renji, a twenty-year old student at American University who goes by the title “princess.” Describes the difference between the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama in Gelugpa Buddhism. The Dalai Lama rules as a king, but the Panchen Lama, who has no formal political role, has, for some, greater spiritual authority. Renji has never lived in Tibet and there is no religious reason she should attract devotion. Her father’s position is not hereditary. Tells about a visit Renji made to central Tibet when she was 17. Writer gives a detailed account of her father’s selection as Panchen Lama and his changing role, along with that of the Dalai Lama, in relations between Tibet and China. Chinese Communists thought he had the makings of an ideal puppet. Tells about his initial admiration for Mao’s policies which later turned to criticism. He was publicly vilified and then sent into solitary confinement. He was released and rehabilitated under Deng Xiaoping. He settled in Beijing and decided to marry, something no Panchen Lama had done before. Tells about his meeting with his future wife, Li Jie and the difficulties their courtship faced. Tells about the Panchen Lama’s reconstruction of monasteries in Tibet and his efforts to boost Tibet’s development. Renji was born in 1983 and raised in a life of privilege. Tells about the Panchen Lama’s death in 1987 and the dispute over his property which many believed belonged to his successor. Two successors were chosen-one by the Dalai Lama and one by the Chinese government. The Chinese Panchen Lama was installed and the Dalai Lama’s selection has not been seen since. Tells about Renji’s education at Southwest Academy in California, her love of shopping and designer clothes. Discusses her potential to be a bridge between Tibet and China. Tells about the movie star Steven Seagal who is Renji’s guardian in the United States. In 2002, Renji made an official visit to Tibet alone. Describes the crowds who lined up to see her and her meeting with the Chinese Panchen Lama. Explains why she did not have to prostrate before him. Writer asks Renji about her future. She wants to help the people of Tibet and be a member of the National People’s Congress. “It’s my duty.”…

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