A grand ceremony in line with the rituals of Tibetan Buddhism was held at Labrang Lamasery in Xiahe county of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on Monday.

The seventh living Buddha, renamed Gungtangcang Losanggeleg Dainpekanqian, was escorted to the lamasery by a parade of followers and villagers from his former residence in Kecai Monastery.

The boy moved from his home in Hezuo City of Gannan to Kecai Monastery in Xiahe after he was chosen in August 2005 from a shortlist of 1,200 candidates to be the reincarnation of the sixth Kungtangcang living Buddha.

Living at the monastery was a ritual to prepare him for the post.

Following his enthronement, the living Buddha blessed followers on Tuesday and Wednesday. They expressed their support for him and prayed he would enjoy good health and a long life.

Officials from the Gansu provincial bureau of religious affairs and the local Buddhism Association attended the ceremony. They hoped the seventh Gungtangcang living Buddha would contribute to regional economic development, social harmony and ethnic unity.

The sixth Kungtangcang Danbawangqu living Buddha died at the age of 75. He was enthroned in 1931 when he was six years old.