Quick Info
| Profession | Spiritual Leader |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Tibetan |
| Date of Birth | 25/04/1989 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Lhari County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China |
Latest News about Gedhun Choekyi Nyima
The U.S. Embassy marked the 30th anniversary of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's disappearance on February 28, 2026, calling on Chinese authorities to immediately release the 11th Panchen Lama and cease persecuting Tibetans for their religious beliefs. The statement highlights the ongoing enforced disappearance since May 17, 1995, when the six-year-old boy and his family were abducted just days after his recognition by the Dalai Lama.
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) awarded its 2025 Democracy Service Medal to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, at a ceremony on November 4, 2025. The award honors his status as the world's youngest political prisoner, abducted by Chinese authorities at age six in 1995 after the Dalai Lama recognized him as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. It affirms Tibetan Buddhists' right to choose their spiritual leaders free from Chinese Communist Party interference.
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Bio/Wiki
| Other Name | Gengdeng Queji Nima |
|---|---|
| Religious Name | Tenzin Gedun Yeshi Thinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo |
| Known For | 11th Panchen Lama |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 165 cm |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| School | Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Graduate |
Personal Life
| Religion | Buddhism - Tibetan |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Tibetan |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
|---|
Family
| Father | Kunshok Phuntsok |
|---|---|
| Mother | Dechen Choedon |
Career
| Reign | 14 May 1995–present |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Choekyi Gyaltsen (10th Panchen Lama) |
| Status | Missing (as of May 2025) |
| Career Highlights |
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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. |