Gedhun Choekyi Nyima

Spiritual Leader

Tibetan Lhari County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China

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Quick Info

ProfessionSpiritual Leader
NationalityTibetan
Date of Birth25/04/1989
Age37 years
BirthplaceLhari County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China

Latest News about Gedhun Choekyi Nyima

04/11/2025

The National Endowment for Democracy presented Gedhun Choekyi Nyima with its 2025 Democracy Service Medal. The honor recognized his symbolic importance as the 11th Panchen Lama and highlighted the continuing international campaign focused on his disappearance and religious freedom in Tibet.

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Bio/Wiki

Other NameGengdeng Queji Nima
Religious NameTenzin Gedun Yeshi Thinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo
Known For11th Panchen Lama

Physical Stats & More

Height165 cm
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolGelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism
Educational QualificationGraduate

Personal Life

ReligionBuddhism - Tibetan
EthnicityTibetan

Relationships & More

Marital StatusUnmarried

Family

FatherKunshok Phuntsok
MotherDechen Choedon

Career

Reign14 May 1995–present
PredecessorChoekyi Gyaltsen (10th Panchen Lama)
StatusMissing (as of May 2025)
Career Highlights
  • Recognized as the 11th Panchen Lama after his reincarnation was announced by the Dalai Lama on May 14, 1995.
  • His disappearance shortly after the announcement has led to his designation as one of the youngest political prisoners in the world.
  • The Chinese government has repeatedly denied any involvement in his disappearance, which occurred just three days after his identification.
  • He was forcibly disappeared by Chinese authorities on 17 May 1995 and has not been seen in public by independent observers since then.
  • The Chinese government has repeatedly denied any involvement in his disappearance and has said his whereabouts are kept undisclosed for his protection.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was kidnapped by the Chinese government and remains missing with little information released about him.
2. The Chinese government, after his disappearance, tried to install a different candidate for the Panchen Lama position through the golden urn lottery system.
3. The international community, including various human rights organizations, has campaigned for his release, garnering support from over 400 celebrities.
4. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted in May 1995 and remains missing with little information released about him.
5. The Chinese government, after his disappearance, selected an alternative Panchen Lama through the golden urn lottery system.
6. International human rights groups, governments, and Tibetan advocacy organizations have continued to call for clarity about his whereabouts and release.
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