The Panchen Lama line of incarnation (tulku), belonging to the Gelug Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, was started by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1667. Regarded as emanations of Amitabha Buddha their principal seat of power is the Tashi Lhunpo monastery at Shigatse in Tsang Province.

The monastery of Tashi Lhunpo was founded by Gendun Drub, who was later to be posthumously acknowledged as the 1st Dalai Lama. It was the tradition of the monastery that each successive abbot have the title of Panchen. After the time of Lobzang Chokyi Gyaltsen, the 5th abbot, the title of Panchen became the official name of his successive reincarnation lineage. Three previous abbots of Tashi Lhunpo were also posthumously named Panchen incarnations.

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