Panchen Lama prays for world peace at Jokhang Temple

The 11th Panchen Lama Erdeni Chosgyi Gyalpo paid a visit to Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region on Monday morning, China Tibet Online reported.

Upon his arrival Monday morning, a grand religious ceremony was held in the temple, filling the air with the fragrant smoke of burning incense, the light of butter lamps, and monks holding prayer flags and Tibetan incense in their hands to welcome the 11th Panchen Lama.

The 11th Panchen Lama, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China and president of Tibet Branch of the Buddhist Association of China, conducted a prayer for world peace, national prosperity and people's safety during his visit.

Accompanied by the vigorous sound of dharma horn, the 11th Panchen Lama visited the halls of the Gandan, the Thousand-handed Avalokiteshvara and the Buddha Sakyamuni, presented white scarves called khadak to these statues and chanted scriptures.

During the visit, the 11th Panchen Lama also painted the face of the 12-year-old Buddha Sakyamuni Statue with gold liquid, presented khadak, and paid religious homage. The statue was presented by the Wencheng Princess of the Tang dynasty to Tibet in the seventh century.