LHASA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu has completed a three-month tour involving study and Buddhist activities in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
During his trip to Lhasa, Xigaze, Nagqu and Ngari, the Panchen Lama studied the significant achievements Tibet has made in economic and social development since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012.
The Panchen Lama visited a memorial hall commemorating the emancipation of more than one million serfs in Tibet, learning the sea changes brought to Tibet after the democratic reform six decades ago, especially in poverty relief and people's livelihood improvement over the past seven years.
The Panchen Lama also visited the Jokhang Temple, expounded on the Buddhist sutras at the Tibet Buddhism Academy, held a prayer meeting and performed head-touching rituals at the Tashilhunpo Monastery, paid religious homage to Mount Kangrinboqe and Lake Mapam Yumco, among others.
Attending a Buddhist seminar on Sept. 10, the Panchen Lama said that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has paid great attention to religious affairs and cared about the healthy development of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Panchen Lama said he will pass on and promote the fine traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, including loving the country and the religion, as well as safeguarding the country and benefiting the people.
He also said he will resolutely uphold national unity and ethnic solidarity.
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.
