The 11th Panchen Erdeni. Photo by Wei Xiaolong.

A celebration ceremony was held on December 8, 2005 in Tashilhungpo Monastery to mark the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of the 11th Panchen Erdeni. Though in deep winter,  the monastery was filled with warmth. The Dorgyia Courtyard was freshly adorned  with a pagoda composed of fried dough, dried nuts, qingke barley and wheat rising seven meters high. Jiang Zemin's horizontal board inscribed with the words "Safeguarding the Country and Benefiting the People" hung high on the western side of the courtyard.

At 10 in the morning, the 11th Panchen Erdeni came to the courtyard amid the din of horn and suona horns blowing. All the monks present recited sutras and prayed for his long life. Cupping their hands in front of them, lay Buddhists also prayed for the young master.

Ceremony held in the Tashihungpo Monastery to mark the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of the 11th Panchen Erdeni. Photo by Jorgo.

"Ten years ago, I was determined as the soul boy of the 10th Panchen Erdeni through the method of drawing lot from the golden urn," said the master. "The Central Government bestowed on me the gold sheets of approval and gold seal of authority. Over the past 10 years, under the loving care of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, I have enjoyed good conditions in terms of study and life. I have studied hard and made good progress. I would not have been able to achieve so much had it not been for efforts made by my holy teacher Jamyang Gyamco and other sutra teachers, and the encouragement of the broad masses of the Buddhists and people throughout China. Also, in the past 10 years, to satisfy the needs of believers, I have traveled throughout Tibet, and visited other Tibetan-inhabited areas of Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan to give blessing touches on the foreheads of close to 300,000 people.

"I shall follow the glorious tradition of the previous Panchen and strive to be a good Living Buddha who is patriotic, loves Buddhism, safeguards the country and  does things that are good for people. Finally, I sincerely wish for a peaceful world for ever! And I wish that our country will become even more prosperous!"

Over the past 10 years, the 11th Panchen Erdeni has received an all-round Buddhist education, as well as studied Tibetan language, mathematics and Chinese.

In that time, Tibet has enjoyed average annual economic growth of 12 percent, and the Tibetan farmers and herders now lead a better life, their annual income reaching 1,863 Yuan per capita. People in the urban areas have also improved their lives. And the CPC's policy for freedom of religious belief has been carried out to the letter. All these aspects paved the way for the 11th Panchen to grow healthily.

The Dorgyia Countyard where the ceremony was held was freshly adorned, with a pagoda composed of fried dough, dried nuts, qingke barley and wheat rising seven meters high. Photo by Jorgo.

Pagbalha Geleg Namyi, Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Zhu Weiqun, Vice-Minister of the CPC United Front Work Department, and Leqoi, Chairman of the TAR People's Congress, all spoke at the celebration ceremony. As golden suona and religious horns were blown, the 11th Panchen Erdeni, in high spirits, moved toward his throne. Representatives of 21 monasteries, including Sera, Gandain, Zhaibung, Jokhang and Curpu, presented the young master with hada and gifts.

These were followed by four eminent monks debating on Buddhist doctrines while other monks recited sutras for peace and stability and lauding Master Zongkapa, founder of the Gelug Sect.

The 11th Panchen Erdeni addressing the ceremony. Photo by Jorgo.

"As a religious figure," said old lama Garma Lhozui Sangbo from the Curpu Monastery, "I am glad to be present on this occasion. This is a grand event. The 11th Panchen Erdeni shows us the demeanor of a grand Living Buddha."

Over the past 10 years, the 11th Panchen Erdeni often debated on Buddhist doctrines with eminent monks of the Tashilhungpo Monastery so as to develop his debating ability and gain better understanding of the Buddhist classics.

Nyangzha from the Tashilhungpo Monastery said the 11th Panchen Erdeni had made progress at an amazing speed. He could recite so many sutras, had performed so many Buddhist rituals, and given so many blessing touches for followers. He believed the 11th Panchen Erdeni would become an outstanding Buddhist leader capable of making a great contribution to China and the world at large.

The 11th Panchen Erdeni on the roof of the Potala Palace. Photo by Wei Xiaolong.

The Tashilhungpo Monastery was full of happy scenes, drawing together Buddhist followers, in their holiday best, holding burning joss sticks, hada and fresh flowers.

Shangba Zhaxi from Qamdo said he came together with some others when they learned the ceremony would be held. "We worshipped the master who also gave us blessing touches on our foreheads. I hope the 11th Panchen Erdeni will conduct rituals in my hometown as the people will love to see him.