11th Panchen Lama: Tibetan Buddhist community should serve the state, serve the people

The 2018 Tibetan Buddhism Doctrine Interpretation Seminar was held at the China Tibetology Research Center on November 8. The 11th Panchen Lama Erdeni Choskyi Gyalpo, a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and a vice-president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

The 11th Panchen Lama said in his speech that interpretation of Buddhist doctrine is an important way to guide Tibetan Buddhism’s adaptation to socialist society and has far-reaching significance. The concrete implementation of this is also a specific action for Tibetan Buddhist community to participate in serving the state and serving the people.

The 11th Panchen Lama said that doctrinal interpretation can become as positive force for safeguarding national unity, promoting ethnic unity, and maintaining social harmony and stability. He said that Tibetan Buddhism should adapt to the socialist society, blend with Chinese culture, and be compatible with China’s national conditions. The Tibetan Buddhist community should act on its own initiative, have the courage to undertake its historical mission, adapt to the development trends of modern times, and comply with the developmental of the country.

“The Tibetan Buddhism Doctrine Interpretation Seminar” has been held for eight consecutive years since 2011. This year’s theme is “Tibetan Buddhism and Honest Thought”. During the seminar’s two-day period, a number of guests would give speeches that integrate their own experience from and feelings of Buddhist practice, theoretical research, and practice at the forefront in the fields of Buddhism.