Panchen Lama
noun
Pan·chen Lama
ˈpän-chən- 
: the lama who is the chief spiritual adviser of the Dalai Lama
Examples of Panchen Lama in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over the years, Beijing has cultivated a group of senior Tibetan lamas loyal to its rule, including the Panchen Lama, the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama himself.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
In 1995, the Dalai Lama recognized a 6-year-old boy in Tibet as the 11th Panchen Lama, six years after the previous one died.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 2 July 2025
In 1995, the Dalai Lama announced the discovery of a 6-year-old boy as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 July 2025
Beijing picked its own alternative Panchen Lama, who pledged loyalty to the CCP.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 2 July 2025
In 1995, Beijing detained a 6-year-old boy recognized by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama, the second-highest spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Following the 1989 death of the 10th Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama named Tibetan child Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as his colleague’s reincarnation.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Despite denunciations by the Dalai Lama and his supporters, Beijing has installed its own Panchen Lama – triggering a three-decade-old dispute that continues to loom large, a sobering reminder of the stakes at play.
—Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
Authorities then elevated their own choice of a boy as the 11th Panchen Lama.
—Lobsang Sangay, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2023
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Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
In 1995, the Dalai Lama recognized a 6-year-old boy in Tibet as the 11th Panchen Lama, six years after the previous one died.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 2 July 2025
In 1995, the Dalai Lama announced the discovery of a 6-year-old boy as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 July 2025
Beijing picked its own alternative Panchen Lama, who pledged loyalty to the CCP.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 2 July 2025
In 1995, Beijing detained a 6-year-old boy recognized by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama, the second-highest spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Following the 1989 death of the 10th Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama named Tibetan child Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as his colleague’s reincarnation.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Despite denunciations by the Dalai Lama and his supporters, Beijing has installed its own Panchen Lama – triggering a three-decade-old dispute that continues to loom large, a sobering reminder of the stakes at play.
—Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
Authorities then elevated their own choice of a boy as the 11th Panchen Lama.
—Lobsang Sangay, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Panchen Lama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Panchen%20Lama. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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