BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) — President Xi Jinping met the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu on Wednesday, and asked him to carry on the patriotic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Xi hoped that the Panchen Lama would keep the motherland and its people in his heart and work for the unity of the country and for all its ethnic groups.
The President said during the meeting that he expected the Panchen Lama to grow into “a Tibetan Buddhist leader with great religious acumen, deeply loved by the monks and secular followers.”
The Panchen Lama should carry on the legacy of his predecessor and actively engage in the cause of incorporating Tibetan Buddhism into socialist society under the Buddhist principles of equality and compassion among all beings.
He suggested that the Panchen Lama promote positive Buddhist doctrines, such as upholding kindness, denouncing wickedness, promoting equality and generosity, as well as helping the needy.
The Panchen Lama was also advised to advance his religious study, nurture his own virtue and expand his vision by studying science and culture.
Xi said the Chinese government has always paid high attention to the development of Tibet. This year marks the 50th anniversary of establishment of Tibet Autonomous Region, and the central authorities will send delegations to Tibet to celebrate with local people.
Xi also said he is convinced that Tibet will achieve the goal of building a moderately prosperous society together with other regions of the country by 2020, and he wished a bright and prosperous future to Tibet.
During the meeting, Panchen Lama presented President Xi with a hada — a piece of silk used as a greeting gift among the Tibetan and Mongol people. He also detailed his study and work over the past two decades, which the president replied to with warm congratulations.
Panchen Lama promised that he would learn from the example of 10th Panchen Lama to unswervingly safeguard national unity and ethnic harmony.
He also said he would bear in mind President Xi’s advice, to learn hard and work vigorously to make his contribution to Tibetan Buddhism and socialist construction, so as to live up to the expectations of the people.
Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, also attended the meeting.