The 11th Panchen Lama on Thursday worshiped at a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni in Jokhang Temple and blessed lamas in the monastery, the most revered in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
The Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, arrived at the Jokhang Temple around 5:30 a.m. and was greeted by lamas .
He visited the temple's major halls, paid homage and presented hada to statues of Buddhas.
It was before this statue in November 1995 that the current Panchen Lama, whose secular name is Gyaencaen Norbu, was chosen as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Erdeni through the traditional method of drawing lots from a golden urn.
The Panchen Lama also led sutra-chanting at the temple, praying for harvests, prosperity and stability.
It was followed by a head-touching ritual to bless the lamas.
The Panchen Lama will hold several more activities in Lhasa, the holy city of Tibetan Buddhism.
