November 29, 1995, in the Jokhang Monastery

At around 2 a.m. on November 29, 1995, when the whole city of Lhasa was still in silence, holding hanging banners and playing Buddhism music,a team of lamas walked out of Sholing Dorje Phodrang, Panchen's residence in Lhasa, guided by an incense-pot.

Two handsome young lamas walked in front of the honor guard, holding in their hands the gold urn, which was granted by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty to Tibet 200 years ago to decide the reincarnated soul boys of Living Buddhas. Usually, the gold urn could only be seen on cultural relics exhibition. Seven days ago, the urn was escorted to Sholing Dorje Phodrang and enshrined in a small hall where the 10th Panchen Lama used to perform religious practice.

At that time, a group of Tibetan monks and lamas wearing yellow hats and holding lit incense led by Living Buddha Bumi Qambalozhub, a 77-year-old eminent monk in Tibet, lined up the most grand religious honor guard in front of the Jokhang Monastery.  

I parked my car off the pavement and walked toward the square in front of the Jokhang Monastery. Normally, there should have been Buddhism believers prostrating in prayer, worshippers turning prayer wheels in the Barkhor Street, and diligent storekeepers cleaning the street. But now, there were few pedestrians except for more policemen on duty. The whole block was full of the air of mystery. The residents who guessed what was happening heard the news on the radio that the lots-drawing ceremony for the reincarnated soul boy of the 10th Panchen Lama was successfully held in the Jokhang Monastery.  

The main gate to the Jokhang Monastery was closed after the gold urn was taken into the monastery by lamas, and people had to enter from the side door, inside which was the office of the Lhasa City Bureau of Religious Affairs. Through the corridor on the second floor, people could also get into the Jokhang Monastery.

In 1985, when the 10th Panchen Lama came to the Jokhang Monastery, I entered from the side yard to stay ahead of others. When I entered the yard, the Panchen Lama and his followers were coming from the main gate. To mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Tibet Autonomous Region, the central government sent a high-level delegation to Tibet. Also coming were Hu Qili, Li Peng, and Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme. Thousands of Buddhists crowded on the square and tried to flock into the monastery, but were headed off by several young and strong lamas in red robes. Then, the side door was closed too.

As early as half a month before, the mayor of Lhasa Losang Gyaltsen began to make preparations in the Jokhang Monastery together with other workers. Lamas cleaned the monastery thoroughly and replaced all the ornamental hangings. Later when I saw L