Tibet marks Panchen’s anniversary

cctv.com 12-09-2005 10:53

The Tibet Autonomous Region has marked the 10th anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama's enthronement. A grand ceremony was held on Thursday morning at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze, the second largest city in the autonomous region. The Panchen Lama pledged to keep enriching his knowledge and continue to serve as a good example of Tibetan Buddhism. He promised to love both the Chinese nation, and his faith.

The ceremony was held 10 years after Gyaincain Norbu became the highest ranking figure in Tibetan Buddhism at the tender age of six.

The Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery is 270 kilometers from the capital Lhasa and serves as the Panchen's home. It basked in glory Thursday, as more than 13,000 Tibetan Buddhists gathered for a grand, 3 hour celebration.

Gifts were presented by representatives from 21 Tibetan lamaseries, ranging from symbolic items like Buddha figurines, sutras and the holy pagoda to silk and satin.

As the Tibetans prayed silently, the 11th Panchen told the crowd he had been given very good living conditions and excellent opportunities to learn.

He said he owed his progress to his teachers as well as the broad masses of Tibetan Buddhists and people from across the country who have always supported him.

He also expressed gratitude for the care from the central committee of the Communist Party and the central government.

The Panchen pledged to carry forward the glorious traditions from his predecessors, and be a good living Buddha who loves his motherland, his religion, and serves his country and its people.

He said he would pray for peace forever in the world and prosperity for the motherland.

Gyaincain Norbu grew-up from a child to the leader of Tibetan Buddhism in the past decade. He has presided over several religious ceremonies in Tibet as well as Tibetan communities in Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan provinces, and blessed nearly 300,000 Tibetan Buddhists through the holy head-touching ritual.

Editor:Wang  Source:CCTV.com