The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu has performed a series of religious and social activities in Tibet Autonomous Region during the past two months.
The Panchen Lama went to Ngor Monastery in Xigaze on Thursday, paying respects to Buddha and giving head-touch blessings to believers.
From July 21 to 24, a four-day Kalachakra (wheel of time) ritual was held in the New Palace of the Panchen Lama at the request of monks from the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the home temple of Panchen Lamas, in Xigaze. It was the first large-scale kalachakra ritual held in Tibet for 60 years.
On July 29, the Panchen Lama travelled to his hometown Nagchu Prefecture by train and was warmly received by a cavalry troop and more than 2,500 local residents.
He visited students in a special education school and some poor families in Nagchu, and carried out religious rites in two local monasteries. Over 70,000 residents joined the religious activities.
On August 15, the Panchen Lama visited the regional Tibetan medicine hospital in Lhasa. He stressed the importance of developing Tibetan medicine, a precious legacy of Tibetan culture.
He went to Nyingchi City on August 18 and performed religious rites in several local monasteries.
At a meeting with Buddhist scholars from the Tibetan branch of the Buddhist Association of China, he said the living conditions of monks and nuns had improved and people's religious freedom had been fully protected in Tibet.
He urged Tibetan Buddhists to pass down good religious traditions and contribute to social harmony and stability.
The Panchen Lama will continue religious and social activities in Xigaze.
Enthroned 21 years ago, the Panchen Lama serves as vice president of the Buddhist Association of China and a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.
