The 6th Panchen Erdeni

The 6th Panchen Erdeni

The 6th Panchen Erdeni (Panchen Erdeni History – Panchen Lama) is named Losang Huadan Yixi. He was born in a small town of southern Tibet in AD 1738 during the period of Qing Dynasty. His father was a wizard and his mother was a member of one noble family at that time. Losang Huadan Yixi was officially acknowledged as the 6th Panchen Erdeni by Emperor Qianlong in Tashilhunpo Monastery in AD 1766. He was conferred the golden seal and golden copies and so on.

In AD 1740, after a long time searching by Tashilhunpo Monastery, the reincarnated soul boy of the 5th Panchen Erdeni was nearly confirmed. Later on the 7th Dalai Lama sent people with other governmental officers to Shigatse and finally acknowledged Losang Huadan Yixi the reincarnation of the former Panchen Erdeni. Soon afterwards, the 7th Dalai Lama officially informed Tashilhunpo Monastery and got acceptable by the Emperor of Qing Dynasty. Losang Huadan Yixi was given the name by the 7th Dalai Lama. In AD 1741, the reincarnated soul boy was escorted back and greeted in Tashilhunpo Monastery. The representatives of the 7th Dalai Lama and the Emperor of Qing Dynasty held the religious ceremonies for Losang Huadan Yixi.

In AD 1757, the 7th Dalai Lama passed away in Lhasa City. The 6th Panchen Erdeni felt so sad and asked all the lamas to grieve over his death for 3 days. He chanted sutras with other lamas together all day to pray the reincarnation of the 7th Dalai Lama. In AD 1760, the 6th Panchen Erdeni found the reincarnation soul boy of the 7th Dalai Lama and greeted him to Tashilhunpo Monastery with the acknowledgement of the Emperor of Qing Dynasty. The 8th Dalai Lama was given the religious name by the 6th Panchen Erdeni, holding the great religious ceremony in Potala Palace. In AD 1766, he was officially acknowledged by the Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. In AD 1769 when he was 31 years old, he was presented the golden seal again written by Tibetan language, Manchu language, and Mongolian language.

In AD 1777, the 6th Panchen Erdeni was invited to Jokhang Temple to hold the religious ceremony of the 8th Dalai Lama. Afterwards, he taught the 8th Dalai Lama in Potala Palace for 1 year. In AD 1780, he was invited to Beijing to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. The 6th Panchen Erdeni departed from Tashilhunpo Monastery in AD 1779 with more than 2000 entourages. On July 21st of 1780, he arrived in Beijing.

In AD 1780 during the period of Qing Dynasty, the 6th Panchen Erdeni passed away in Beijing when he was 42 years old. His body was saved in Drepung Monastery for 6 days and then preserved in a golden temple which was asked to build by Emperor Qianlong. Next year, his body was sent back to Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse Prefecture. Then his body was preserved and protected in a big silver temple which was built by the monks of Tashilhunpo Monastery later.