Tibet commemorated the enthronement anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama Thursday, 10 years after Gyaincain Norbu became the highest ranking figure in Tibetan Buddhism at the tender age of six.

Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the Panchen Lama's residence in Xigaze, 270 kilometers from the regional capital Lhasa, basked in glory Thursday morning as more than 1,300 Tibetan Buddhists flocked in for a grand celebration ceremony that went on for three hours.

"Ten years ago I was enthroned as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama," the 11th Panchen Lama told the faithful crowd as they put their palms together and silently prayed, "and I've been given very good living conditions and favorable chances to learn... I owe my progress today to my dear teachers, particularly Jamyang Gyamco, as well as the broad masses of Tibetan Buddhists and people from across the country who have always supported me."

The past decade witnessed Gyaincain Norbu grow-up from a child to the leader of Tibetan Buddhism. He has presided over many religious ceremonies in Tibet as well as Tibetan communities in Qinghai, Gansu and Sichuan provinces, and blessed nearly 300,000 Tibetan Buddhists through the holy head-touching ritual.

"I will carry forward the glorious traditions my predecessors have left over and be a good living Buddha who loves his motherland, his religion and serves his country and its people," he said at the end of his brief speech. "With all my heart, I pray for peace forever in the world and prosperity of our motherland."

Gifts were presented by representatives from 21 noted Tibetan lamaseries, ranging from symbolic items like Buddha figurines, sutras and the holy pagoda to silk and satin.

"I'm excited," said Como, 78, as she looked up at the 11th Panchen Lama from the reverent crowd. "In my younger days I suffered a lot as a serf, then I witnessed how the People's Liberation Army set all the Tibetans free."

Como, from Qamdo Prefecture, said the rule of the Chinese Communist Party has brought profound changes to her family. "We have three cars and two houses now. My children have hired a full-time caregiver to care for me and keep me company when I go on pilgrimage."

The commemoration ceremony also featured a heated debate among four eloquent high monks, and a sutra chanting ritual to pray for peace and prosperity on the snow-covered "roof of the world" and to extol Zong Kaba, founder of the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

"I feel honored to attend today's ceremony. It's an important event in the religious circle," said Gama Lozhoi Sangbo, an old lama from Curbo Monastery near Lhasa. "The 11th Panchen Lama has lived up to everyone's expectation with his achievements in sutra studies and his presentable manners. He deserves to be a living Buddha."

Gyaincain Norbu, born on February 13, 1990 in Lhari county of Nagqu prefecture in northern Tibet, was approved by the central government in November 1995 as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, who died in 1989, after a lot drawing ceremony among three candidates in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. He was enthroned as the 11th Panchen Lama on Dec. 8, 1995.

Drawing lots from a gold urn to decide on the final choice of the reincarnation of a high lama is a tradition in Tibetan Buddhism. Gaining the approval from the central government on the choice began in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Source: Xinhua