A New Life for Two Soul Boy Candidates

Gyaincain Norbu has become world famous since he was determined to be the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Erdeni at a lot-drawing ceremony on November 29, 1995.

The whereabouts of the new Panchen Erdeni have been closely followed by the news media. However, careful readers have also asked about the other two candidates, wondering exactly what runner-up means in such a selection.
The following stories will satisfy their interest.

Ngawang Namzui
"It's the holy judgment of Sakyamuni," said the parents of Ngawang Namzui, one of two unsuccessful candidates for the reincarnated soul boy of the 10th Panchen Lama.

His fater, Lhaba, and mother, Yuzin, both hail from Qamdo. Years ago they settled in a courtyard home in Lhasa, capital of Tibet autonomous Region. They earn a living in retail sales. Ngawang Namziu is their only son.
After being tonsured at the Zhaxijambai monastery, he was taught to recite Buddhist scriptures, but he was eager to play with his toys during breaks.
In the evening, the boy naturally asks to watch TV.

The Zhaxijambai Monastery is the resident monastery of the Living Buddha Qunbo. According to Lhozui, director of the monastery's Democratic Management Committee, Ngawang Namzui was confirmed as the reincarnated soul boy of the late Living Buddha Qunbo soon after the lotdrawing ceremony held to determine the reincarnated soul boy of the 10th Panchen Erdeni. The identification was conducted at the suggestion of the Living Buddha Jamyang of the Labrang Monastery, the largest of its kind in Gansu Province.

When Ngawang Namzui was shown three sets of rosary beads hi immediately picked out those belonging to the late Living Buddha Qunbo, putting it around his neck and returing the others to their owners.

"Believe it or not, the boy even asked questions about the Zhaxijambai Monastery in which he had never set foot," said Lhozui.
The late Living Buddha Qunbo was steeped in Buddhism. He served as the chief advisor on the construction of the holy stupa and memorial hall for the Fifth to Ninth Panchen Erdenis. He once presided over Buddhist affairs at the Tashilhungpo Monastery and was a competent assistant to the late 10th Panchen Lama.
After the late master passed away, Living Buddha Qunbo was elected one of the leadding members of the reincarnated soul boy search group.
He died in 1990 at the age of 73. In the ensuing five years, lamas from the Zhaxijambai Monastery worked hard to locate his reincarnated soul boy.
Ngawan Namzui was confirmed early last year and has been welcomed into the Zhaxijambai Monastery, said Lhozui. Upon the approval of central government departments, a ceremony will be held for him.

Gongsang Wangdui
Gongsang Wangdui, the other reincarnated soul boy candidate for the late 10th Panchen Lama, also has his own life.
Raised in a worker's family in northern Tibet, Gongsang Wangdui now lives in the Tashilhungpo Monastery together with his sutra teacher and two other lamas.
The Living Buddha Garqen Zhado, his sutra teacher, boasts the highest Buddhist academic degree of Lharangba Geshi. He is a stern instructor. Gongsang Wangdui dares not talk to others nor show even the slightest distraction in his presence.
According to the Living Buddha Garqen Zhado, within only a few months the seven-year-old has impressed others with an old head on young shoulders.
"I love him, though I'm strict with him," said the sutra teacher. "He studies Buddhist scriptures very hard and can recite some of them. He has made remarkable progress in just two months."
Namgyi, a senior student under the Living Buddha Garqen Zhado, is responsible for teaching him general courses, such as Tibetan.
"He spends two-thirds of the time studying Buddhist scriptures and the rest learning Tibetan and playing," said Namgyi He has finished studying Tibetan letters and is learning texts.

Benba Cering is responsible for the details of Gongsang Wangdui's daily life.
"Coming from the north Tibetan grasslands, Gongsang Wangdui loves mutton and beef," said Benba Cering. "But he has learned to love vegetables since coming here. He eats three dishes for lunch, and potatoes or turnips, plus porridge, for supper."
To contribute to the healthy growth of Gongsang Wangdui, local government allocates 500 yuan per month to the monastery for food costs.
The local government also made arrangements for his parents to settle in Xigaze, near the Tashilhungpo Monastery, so they could be close to their son.
"Although my son wasn't chosen as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, the government shows us great respect, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts," said the 47-year-old mother of Gongsang Wagdui.