Tibet commemorated the enthronement anniversary of
the 11th Panchen Lama on Thursday, ten years after Gyaincain Norbu
became the highest ranking figure in Tibetan Buddhism at the age of
six.
Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the Panchen Lama's residence
in Xigaze, 270 kilometers from the regional capital Lhasa, welcomed
more than 1,300 Tibetan Buddhists for a grand celebration ceremony
that went on for three hours.
"Ten years ago I was enthroned as the reincarnation
of the 10th Panchen Lama," the 11th Panchen Lama told the crowd,
"and I've been given very good living conditions and favorable
chances to learn... I owe my progress today to my dear teachers,
particularly Jamyang Gyamco, as well as the broad masses of Tibetan
Buddhists and people from across the country who have always
supported me."
Gyaincain Norbu has presided over many religious
ceremonies in Tibet as well as Tibetan communities in Qinghai,
Gansu and Sichuan provinces, and blessed nearly 300,000 Tibetan
Buddhists.
"I will carry forward the glorious traditions my
predecessors have left and be a good living Buddha who loves his
motherland, his religion and serves his country and its people," he
said at the end of his brief speech. "With all my heart, I pray for
peace forever in the world and prosperity of our motherland."
Gifts were presented by representatives from 21
Tibetan lamaseries, ranging from Buddha figurines, sutras and the
holy pagoda to silk and satin.
The commemoration ceremony also featured a debate
among four eloquent high monks, and sutra chanting for peace and
prosperity and to extol Zong Kaba, founder of the Yellow Sect of
Tibetan Buddhism.
Gyaincain Norbu, born on February 13, 1990 in Lhari
county of Nagqu prefecture in northern Tibet, was approved by the
central government in November 1995 as the reincarnation of the
10th Panchen Lama, who died in 1989, after a lot drawing ceremony
among three candidates in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. He was
enthroned as the 11th Panchen Lama on December 8, 1995.
Drawing lots from a gold urn to decide on the final
choice of the reincarnation of a high lama is a tradition in
Tibetan Buddhism. Gaining the approval from the central government
on the choice began in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).?
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(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2005)
