With butter lamps lit in every hall, Tibetan monasteries put fire safety top on agenda and some try to conduct safety education through traditional Thangka paintings, known as encyclopedia of Tibetan culture.

"When the monastery has things stolen, the missing item at least can be seen somewhere on the earth; but in case of fire, things will turn into ashes and no one can see it again", said Palden Lhundrup, a senior monk and deputy director of the management committee of Balkor Monastery in Gyangze County, Shigastse Prefecture in southwest China's Tibet.

Safety should be put on top of all the priorities. In particular, the potential safety hazards from fire should be emphasized by every member in monasteries, he concluded, adding that Thangka painting with convincing, accessible images on fire prevention and control is a good way in educating monks.

A piece of Thangka painting in Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet about fire prevention and control [photo/Yanjie] The information on the painting is as follows: (1) Carrying naked light and butter lamp is prohibited in the halls; (2) Fire control and safety training is required regularly; (3) No shacks in the temple; (4) No entry for those with tinder, inflammable and explosive articles.