Panchen Lama gives blessing, care to Tibetans

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, a Tibetan Buddhism spiritual leader, showed his care for the people by visiting homes and welfare institutions during a visit to Lhasa this week.

The Panchen Lama visited the family of farmer Anu in Thonga village of Yamda township in Lhasa on Friday and chatted with Anu and his family members.

After learning that Anu's family earns over 200,000 yuan (31,000 U.S. dollars) a year and Anu also helps his fellow villagers increase their earnings, the Panchen Lama said, "It is a very good thing that you also help others to be better-off." He encouraged Anu to continue in his efforts.

The Panchen Lama was also told that one of Anu's children is working as teacher and another is still studying in medical school.

"Both occupations are very good, as they can benefit the people by doing what they do," said the Panchen Lama, who later chanted Buddhist scripture at the family hall for worshipping Buddha, a blessing for Tibetan Buddhism believers.

The Panchen Lama began this year's Lhasa visit on Monday. He visited Jokhang Temple -- the most revered monastery in the "holy city" of Lhasa -- on Tuesday, paying homage to statues of Buddhas and leading a prayer service.

On Wednesday, he visited senior citizens, orphans and children with disabilities in Lhasa to bless them with a touch on their head and send them daily supplies.

In 1995, at the age of six, the 11th Panchen Lama was chosen as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Erdeni in Jokhang through the traditional method of drawing lots from a golden urn.

He is vice president of the Buddhist Association of China and a member of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.