870 Rinpoches can be verified after the online Rinpoche query system was launched on Jan. 18, at Beijing Guangji Temple where Chinese Buddhist Association lies. 

The system published information on the first group of 870 Rinpoches and is the first online query system to release information about religious personnel. Users can check the information via the websites of Chinese Buddhist Association, the State Bureau of Religious Affairs and China Tibet Onlinehttp://hf.tibet.cn/.

Vice president of China’s Buddhist Association, President of the Tibetan Branch of China’s Buddhist Association and 7th Drukhang Rinpoche Drukhang Thubten Khedrup, said that the query system going online is an important step for China’s Buddhist Association to promote religious education and further standardize matters related to reincarnation of Rinpoches. 

He further added, in recent years some fraudsters have been posing as Rinpoches in Tibet and inland China, harming the interests of believers and ruining the reputation of Tibetan Buddhism. Now that there is a Rinpoche query system, net users can check to see if a Rinpoche is genuine or not, which will help protect the legitimate rights and interests of Tibetan Buddhism. It will also help promote community awareness of Tibetan Buddhism and Rinpoche groups. 　　

The China Buddhist Association Qingyuan explained that the Rinpoche query system released eight categories of information relating to Rinpoches including their name, religious name, Buddhist name, date of birth, religious sect, Buddha permit number, their temple and a photo. The system can be used on both computer and phone. Once you have logged in on your phone via text message verification, you can search by entering name, Buddhist name, ID number, Buddha permit number or temple. 

It is understood that information relating to Rinpoches in Garze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture and Muli County in SW China's Sichuan Province are currently being verified and will be announced soon. Information relating to reincarnations of Rinpoches will also soon be added to the database, providing a reference to all Rinpoches. It is reported that China’s Buddhist Association has delegated China Tibet Online to be responsible for design and development. 

Originating in the 13th century, the reincarnation system is unique in Tibetan Buddhism, comprising a set of strict religious rituals and historical conventions. In 2007 the State Bureau of Religious Affairs introduced the “State Bureau of Religious Affairs Order No. 5”, marking the move towards a legalized system of management for reincarnation. In 2010 China’s Buddhist Association started issuing certificates to Rinpoches. The vast majority of these are in accordance with religious rituals and historical conventions, and Rinpoches approved by the government have already received the certificates.  

Leaders from the Central United Front Work Department and State Bureau of Religious Affairs attended the launch ceremony. 

Photo shows monks chant before the launch event. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows the site of the launch event. [Photo/China Tibet Online]  

Photo shows launch event for the Rinpocheonline query system takes place in Beijing Guangji Temple. [Photo/China Tibet Online]