Tibetannet

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, also a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China and president of the association's Tibet branch, visits Jokhang Temple, the most revered monastery in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous region, Aug. 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Chogo)

LHASA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Panchen Lama on Tuesday completed a 15-day tour including Buddhist and social activities in Nagqu, his birthplace and a prefecture-level city in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

It is the fourth time for the Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, a leader of Tibetan Buddhism, to return home since his ordination in 1995, with the previous three being in 2006, 2016 and 2019.

In Lhari County of Nagqu, where he was born in 1990, he visited local tourism projects, a yak farm and a museum of Tibetan medicine. He also met his relatives and practiced Buddhist activities at the Dagze Temple.

"When I left home 25 years ago, electricity just reached the county seat, we only had oil lamps in our hometown," he said. "Now, with paved road and internet, life has improved a lot here."

"I feel very moved and amazed by the happiness of my folks judging from their outfits and words," he added.

He also visited Biru, Sog and Baqen counties of Nagqu, where he expounded on the Buddhist sutras and practiced other activities in various monasteries.

The Panchen Lama flew to the regional capital Lhasa from Beijing on July 31, starting a series of Buddhist and social activities in different areas of Tibet.

The Panchen Lama is a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body. He is also vice president of the Buddhist Association of China and president of the association's Tibet branch.