The Golden Urn is a method introduced by the Qing dynasty of China in 1793 for selecting Tibetan reincarnations by drawing lots or tally sticks from a golden urn. After the Sino-Nepalese War, the Qianlong Emperor promulgated the 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet, which included regulations on selecting lamas. The Golden Urn was ostensibly introduced to prevent cheating and corruption in the process but it also positioned the Qianlong Emperor as a religious authority capable of adducing incarnation candidates. A number of lamas, such as the 8th and 9th Panchen Lamas and the 10th Dalai Lama, were confirmed using the Golden Urn. In cases where the Golden Urn was not used, the amban was consulted. Lhamo Dhondup was exempted from the Golden Urn to become the 14th Dalai Lama in 1940.
History
Qing dynasty The Golden Urn originated in a 1792 decree by the Qianlong Emperor, after the Qing victory in the Second Invasion of the Sino-Nepalese War. Article One of the decree, the 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet, was designed to be used in selecting rinpoches, lamas, and other high offices in Tibetan Buddhism, including the Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas, and Mongolian lamas. In Qianlong Emperor's article The Discourse of Lama (), also published in 1792, he explained the history of lamas and the reincarnation system, argued that the reincarnation system is man-made, and created rules to eliminate the system's drawbacks.
The 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet allows the Qing emperors of China to control the selection process to prevent Mongol and Tibetan nobles from taking advantage of it to seize religious power and to prevent lamas from combining with secular forces.
The Qianlong Emperor issued two Golden Urns. One is enshrined in Jokhang Temple in Lhasa and is to be used for choosing Dalai and Panchen Lama reincarnations; the other is in Yonghe Temple in Beijing for choosing Mongolian Lama, known as Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, reincarnations.
The specific ritual to be followed when using the Golden Urn was written by the 8th Dalai Lama, Jamphel Gyatso. The names and dates of birth of each candidate were to be written in the Manchu, Han, and Tibetan languages on metal or ivory slips and placed in the urn. After prayers before the statue of the Jowo in the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, a slip was drawn. The 7th Panchen Lama, Palden Tenpai Nyima, used the Golden Urn for the first time in 1822 to choose the 10th Dalai Lama, Tsultrim Gyatso.
Republic of China
On 12 August 1927, the Central Government mandated that before the publication of new laws, all laws regarding Tibetan Buddhism should continue unless they conflicted with new doctrine or new laws of the Central Government.
In August 1929, the Supreme Court of the Central Government ruled that before the publication of new laws, preexisting laws about Tibet and the reincarnation of rinpoches or lamas applied.
In 1935, the Central Government of China published the Ordinance of Lama Temple Management (). Article 2 states that reincarnated lamas are limited to those who were reincarnated previously, unless approved by the Central Government. Article 5 states that all monasteries, temples, and lamas must register with the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission. Article 7 states that the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission shall draft the methods of lamas' reincarnation, appointment, rewards and punishments, registration, etc., and submit them to the Executive Yuan for approval.
In 1936, based on articles 2 and 7 of the Ordinance of Lama Temple Management (), the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission published the Method of Reincarnation of Lamas ().
Article 3 states that the death of lamas including the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama should be reported to Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission, soul boys should be found, reported to and checked by Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission, and a lot-drawing ceremony with the Golden Urn system should be held. Article 6 states that local governments should invite Central Government officials to take care of the sitting-in-the-bed ceremony. Article 7 states that soul boys should not be searched for from current lama families.
People's Republic of China The traditional method of identifying the reincarnation of Lamas () was abolished in 2004. In 2004, the Central Government published the Religious Affairs Regulations (). Article 36 states that the reincarnation system must follow religious rituals and historical customs and be approved by the government.
In 2007, the Central Government published the State Religious Affairs Bureau Order No. 5 (). Article 7 states that no group or individual may carry out activities related to searching for and identifying the reincarnated soul boy of the Living Buddha without authorization.
Article 8 states that a lot-drawing ceremony with the Golden Urn is applicable to rinpoches or lamas reincarnated previously in history. The State Administration for Religious Affairs handles requests for exemption, and the State Council handles requests for exemptions that would have significant impact.
Usage
Dalai Lamas born after 1792 Name Date of sitting-in-the-bed ceremony Golden Urn Used? Approval process from the Central Government 9 Lungtok Gyatso 10 November 1808http://www.qinghistory.cn/qsyj/ztyj/bjmz/2011-10-12/32834.shtml 妙舟《蒙藏佛教史》第四篇第三章第十节：第九世达赖喇嘛，法名隆哆嘉错，于嘉庆十年乙丑十二月初一日，在康巴垫曲科地方转世。......十三年......九月二十三日，在布达拉安床，颁赏御物甚多。Miao Zhou's History of Buddhism in Mongolia and Tibet, Part 4, Chapter 3, Section 10: The Ninth Dalai Lama, whose Dharma name was Longduo Jiacuo, was reincarnated on the first day of the twelfth month of the Yicho year of the Jiaqing reign in Dianquke, Kham. ... On the 23rd day of the ninth month of the thirteenth year (嘉庆十三年)..., his coffin was enshrined in the Potala Palace, and he was bestowed with numerous imperial gifts.http://www.tibetology.ac.cn/2022-08/14/content_42071414.htm 《九世达赖喇嘛传》对此记载说："坐床后的第二天，九月二十三日，为报答大皇帝钦准免于金瓶掣定之宏恩，在三界尊胜殿乾隆皇帝肖像和嘉庆皇帝牌位前奉献五供。达赖喇嘛、摄政诺门罕、钦差大臣、两位驻藏大臣、经师嘉赛活佛、第穆活佛、策墨林活佛、热振赤钦活佛、赞布诺门罕、阿钦诺门罕、策却林活佛、赛巴活佛等色拉、哲蚌二寺的诸大活佛以及南杰扎仓的轨范师、翁则、诵经僧一起诵经祈祷。之后，达赖喇嘛念诵回向经，祝愿佛法昌盛，国政兴旺，皇帝万岁。他的声音洪亮，悦耳动听，使众人诚服，十分欣慰。" The Biography of the Ninth Dalai Lama records this: "On September 23rd, the day after his enthronement, in gratitude for the great favor of the Emperor in granting him exemption from the Golden Urn, he offered five offerings before the portrait of Emperor Qianlong and the tablet of Emperor Jiaqing in the Three Realms Hall of Victory. The Dalai Lama, Regent Nomenhan, the Imperial Commissioner, two ministers to Tibet, scripture teachers Gyasai Living Buddha, Demo Living Buddha, Tsemoling Living Buddha, Reting Trichin Living Buddha, Zangbu Nomenhan, Achin Nomenhan, Tsecholing Living Buddha, Saiba Living Buddha, and other great Living Buddhas from Sera and Drepung Monasteries, as well as the discipline teachers, ongze, and chanting monks of Namgyel Dratsang, chanted sutras and prayers together. Afterwards, the Dalai Lama recited the dedication sutra, wishing for the prosperity of Buddhism, the prosperity of the state, and a long life for the Emperor. His voice was resonant and melodious, which impressed and pleased everyone." No Exemption from using Golden Urn was approved by the Emperor. 10 Tsultrim Gyatso 8 August 1822http://www.historychina.net/bjmz/362795.shtml 1822年... 随后，道光皇帝批准了认定结果并特派驻藏大臣文干、成都副都统苏冲阿、四世章嘉呼图克图于八月八日共同主持了十世达赖喇嘛的坐床典礼。 1822...Subsequently, Emperor Daoguang approved the recognition result and specially dispatched Wen Gan, the Minister to Tibet, Suchong'a, the Deputy Governor of Chengdu, and the Fourth Changkya Hutuktu to jointly preside over the sitting-in-the-bed ceremony of the Tenth Dalai Lama on August 8 Yes Lot-drawing result was reported and approved by emperor.http://www.historychina.net/bjmz/362795.shtml 1821年驻藏大臣文干上奏清廷请求批准金瓶掣签。道光皇帝谕令："著照文干等所奏将幼孩3名，令其亲属师傅等携至前藏，文干等会同噶勒丹锡图萨第巴克什等确加试验，如均有灵异之性，即照例写签入瓶，对众讽经掣定，核实奏闻。若试验未确，仍令另行访查，俟灵异幼孩数足3人再行照例办理可也。" In 1821, Wen Gan, the Minister of Tibet, submitted a petition to the Qing court requesting approval for the Golden Urn Lottery. Emperor Daoguang issued an order: "According to Wen Gan's request, three young children shall be brought to Former Tibet by their relatives and teachers. Wen Gan and others, together with Kaldan Situ Sadibakshi and others, shall conduct thorough tests. If all of them possess supernatural powers, we shall write lots in the urn as per the usual practice, cast lots in front of the public through chanting sutras, and verify the report. If the tests are inconclusive, we shall conduct further investigations until at least three children have been found to possess supernatural powers, and then proceed according to the usual procedures." 11 Khendrup Gyatso 16 April 1842 Yes Request to proceed with the lot-drawing ceremony was approved in December 1840. 12 Trinley Gyatso 3 July 1860 https://www.tibetcul.com/people/ls/gsdd/23691.html 于金猴年（1860年）七月三日，为程列嘉措在布达拉宫举行了"坐床"典礼。On July 3rd of the Golden Monkey Year (1860), the sitting-in-the-bed ceremony for Cheng Lie Gyatso was held in the Potala Palace. Yes Lot-drawing ceremony was approved by the Emperor Biography of the 12th Dalai Lama 13 Thubten Gyatso 14 June 1879 https://www.tibetcul.com/people/ls/gsdd/23690.html 光绪五年（一八七九年）五月，光绪帝批准十三世达赖坐床，圣旨上说:"达赖喇嘛转世灵童已经确定，今年六月十三日良辰吉时举行坐床，甚佳，朕深喜之，现赐达赖喇嘛黄哈达一条，佛像一尊，念珠一串，铃杵一套。达赖喇嘛坐床之后，可启用前世达赖之金印，并将用印时日上奏。以前乘用黄轿及黄色鞍辔均予准用。佛父贡噶仁钦封为公爵，赏戴宝石顶子，著孔雀翎，依旨遵行，钦此。"六月十三日迎十三世达赖入布达拉宫，十四日在布达拉宫举行了坐床庆祝大典。 In May of the fifth year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1879), Emperor Guangxu approved the enthronement of the 13th Dalai Lama. The imperial edict said: "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has been determined. The enthronement will be held on the auspicious day of June 13th this year. It is very good and I am very pleased. I now grant the Dalai Lama a yellow khata, a Buddha statue, a rosary, and a set of bells and pestles. After the Dalai Lama's enthronement, he may use the golden seal of the previous Dalai Lama and submit the date of use to the emperor. The yellow sedan chair and yellow saddle and bridle used in the past are allowed to be used. Buddha father Gonggar Rinchen is conferred the title of Duke and awarded with a jeweled hat and peacock feathers. Please comply with the order. I hereby decree this." On June 13th, the 13th Dalai Lama was welcomed into the Potala Palace, and the sitting-in-the-bed celebration ceremony was held in the Potala Palace on the 14th. No In 1877, request to exempt the 13th Dalai Lama from using lot-drawing process was approved by the Central Government of China. 14 Tenzin Gyatso 22 February 1940http://www.shac.net.cn/mgcq/mgmr/201412/t20141209_2498.html 1940年... 第十四辈达赖喇嘛坐床典礼定于2月22日上午5时(半)在拉萨布达拉宫举行。 1940... The sitting-in-the-bed ceremony (坐床典礼) of the 14th Dalai Lama is scheduled to be held at 5:30 a.m. on February 22 at the Potala Palace in Lhasa. No On 26 January 1940, the Regent Reting Rinpoche requested the Central Government of Republic of China to exempt Lhamo Dhondup from lot-drawing process using Golden Urn to become the 14th Dalai Lama. The request was approved by the National Government of the Republic of China.
Panchen Lamas born after 1792