According to a report in Kathmandu Post, after information about Panchan Lama’s visit to Nepal was leaked in mid-December, there was a stir in various ministries of Nepal. The Panchan Lama plans to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and Kathmandu, reports said. As soon as this information was leaked, Nepal’s Home Ministry and Tourism Ministry started investigating the list of all the pilgrims participating in the Round Table Conference of Nanhai Buddhism to be held in Lumbini. But he could not find the name of Panchan Lama anywhere. Larkal Lama, vice president of Lumbini Development Trust, said Panchan Lama has been trying to come to Nepal for Buddha Jayanti for the last ten years. The visit was likely to pose geopolitical challenges for Nepal as the task of providing security to the Panchen Lama was complex. As a result, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry sought clarification from the Chinese Embassy on this matter.
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry has said that Kathmandu adopts a policy of neutrality in religious matters. Kathmandu never allowed the Dalai Lama to come to Nepal, in the same way they will not allow any Chinese-backed religious leader to come to Nepal. China considers the Dalai Lama, who has taken refuge in India, a separatist. China has moved to reduce the influence of the Panchen Lama. But now his plan to send the Panchen Lama along with 227 Chinese monks has fallen into disrepair.
