11th Panchen Lama prays at Jokhang Temple

Photo shows the 11th Panchen Lama exchanges khata with Trukang Thupden Kedrol, president of the Tibet Branch of Buddhist Association of China in front of Jokhang Temple.

Photo shows the 11th Panchen Lama leads monks in sutra chanting before the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha.

On the morning of July 19, the 11th Panchen Lama Erdeni Choskyi Gyalpo arrived at Jokhang Temple in Lhasa to worship the Sakyamuni Buddha statue and to lead the sutra chanting in the temple, praying for national stability, prosperity and world peace.

On that day, monks specially painted an auspicious, colored sand mandala and laid a carpet from the front of the main hall to the main gate in order to welcome the Panchen Lama.

Monks from the temple held dharma instruments and lined up both sides of the main entrance to Jokhang Temple to welcome the Panchen Lama with the highest etiquette in accordance with religious rituals in Tibetan Buddhism.

Photo shows the 11th Panchen Lama spreads gold powder on the face of the statue of 12-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha.

Photo shows the 11th Panchen Lama worships before the 12-year-old Sakyamuni Buddha statue.

Photo shows according to Tibetan Buddhist traditions, monks of Jokhang Temple offer auspicious manza to the 11th Panchen Lama.

Photo shows the 11th Panchen Lama blesses the monks of Jokhang Temple by head touching.

Photo shows monks of Jokhang Temple chant scriptures.