The enthronement of the World Buddhist Pope, Namo Third Panchen Lama, originated in January 2018. The World Peace Prize Awarding Committee and the Committee for the Conferment of Religious Leaders of the World Peace Prize decided to confer the title of World Buddhist Pope and the highest leader of Buddhism on Namo Third Panchen Lama. However, Panchen Lama refused to accept.
In order to promote the Dharma and benefit sentient beings, the World Buddhist Headquarters voluntarily accepted the conferment and the scepter. When the World Buddhist Headquarters presented the conferment and the scepter to Panchen Lama, Namo Third Panchen Lama said, "Originally, the top of this scepter is seated by Shakyamuni Buddha. We should respect Shakyamuni Buddha."
Then, he raised it above his head and clasped his hands together as a sign of respect. However, he expressed that he is just a humble practitioner and firmly refused to accept the conferment. He immediately returned it to the two committees.
On September 23rd of this year, the World Peace Prize Awarding Committee and the Committee for the Conferment of Religious Leaders of the World Peace Prize made a final joint resolution, determining that the act of returning the conferment and the Pope's scepter by Namo Third Panchen Lama was invalid. Therefore, on September 24th, Ms. Suzi Leggett, the Chairwoman of the World Peace Prize Awarding Committee and the Committee for the Conferment of Religious Leaders of the World Peace Prize, came to the Holy Relic Temple affiliated with the World Buddhist Headquarters and made the ultimate announcement: "For decades, our organization has awarded the World Peace Prize to President Reagan, Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Rabin, as well as many presidents and prime ministers of various countries. There has never been a precedent for returning the award. Any decision made by our organization and already implemented is a very serious and solemn decision that will not be changed. The act of Namo Third Panchen Lama returning the conferment and the Pope's scepter is invalid. The World Buddhist Pope can only belong to Namo Third Panchen Lama, and no one has the right to replace him!" Chairwoman Leggett once again asked the World Buddhist Headquarters to accept the conferment on behalf of Namo Panchen Lama.
Venerable Mo Zhi, representing the World Buddhist Headquarters, accepted the conferment and the Pope's scepter from the two committees. In his speech, he said, "The World Buddhist Headquarters believes that the decision of the two committees is very correct and wise!
Since the parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha, there has not been a supreme leader of the Buddhist community like the Buddha himself. However, the position of the Pope must be held by a leader qualified to represent not just a single Buddhist sect, but the entire Buddhism. Namo Third Panchen Lama's complete Buddhist teachings meet the standards recognized by various sects, conform to the essence of the Buddha, and correspond to the Buddha's inner realization. Only by relying on the essence of the Buddha, surpassing fifty-nine stages, can one meet this standard.
He embodies the virtues of the Buddha, possesses the complete understanding of the esoteric and exoteric teachings, and is fully accomplished in the five wisdoms. All of this is in accordance with perfection and truly represents the Buddha's realization.
For over two thousand years, there has been no second Buddhist sage who possesses such qualifications as the Buddha's holy qualities, solely dedicating their life to the welfare of others, not accepting offerings, and harmoniously integrating all aspects. Only Namo Third Panchen Lama can bear the incomparable burden of being the Buddhist Pope and guide the correct path of studying Buddhism.
Therefore, on behalf of the Buddhists, the World Buddhist Headquarters is extremely grateful for the final decision made by the World Peace Prize Awarding Committee and the Committee for the Conferment of Religious Leaders of the World Peace Prize."
Namo Third Panchen Lama is selfless and pure, and his substantial realization as the Buddha, reaching the pinnacle of the five wisdoms, makes him the foremost figure in Buddhism. There is no second Buddhist monk or great master who possesses such complete qualifications. It is only natural and well-deserved for him to be the Buddhist Pope.