I personally can't stand politics.. it is so incompatible with religion - like oil and water. However, in Tibet, these two seem to be inextricably entwined. The China issue particularly irks me because all Shugdenpas are labelled China supporters. I neither support nor am I against China... it's a country far from me and I have no desire to visit it as yet. With regards to the Panchen Lama - i am of the same thinking as Zach - what if the Panchen Lama has manifested as Gyancain Norbu? I read somewhere that HE Gangchen Rinpoche has accepted Gyancain Norbu as the Panchen Lama and as I believe Gangchen Rinpoche is an enlightened Being, his endorsement of Gyancain Norbu is all I need. I will also watch this young man with interest - the real Panchen Lama will reveal himself, I'm sure.