(Also called: Panchen Rinpoché)

In Tibetan Buddhism, the title of the chief abbot of Tashi-lhunpo monastery at Shigatse, rankind second to the Dalai Lama. He is said to be a reincarnation of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. The choice of the present Panchen Lama is an issue of contention between the Chinese government and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.