Dharamshala, Oct. 15 -- Chinese officials have reportedly compelled thousands of Tibetans, including monks, nuns, and prominent lamas such as the 7th Gunthang Rinpoche, the Sakya abbot, and the Sera abbot, to participate in a Kalachakra empowerment led by Gyaltsen Norbu, the state-appointed Panchen Lama, commonly referred to as the 'fake Panchen' by Tibetans, according to a report by Phayul.

The four-day religious event took place from October 9 to 12 at the Kyi-kyi Nakha site of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, which is the traditional residence of the Panchen Lamas in Shigatse. There is a previous instance of authorities mandating attendance at Gyaltsen Norbu's teachings. In 2016, he conducted a similar Kalachakra ceremony at Dechen Phodrang, n...