The 11th Panchen Lama (2nd L), Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, touches the heads of Buddhism followers to give blessings during the Saga Dawa Festival in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, May 21, 2016. Buddha's birthday, April 15 according to Tibetan calendar, falls on May 21 this year and it's an important day of the festival. (Xinhua file photo/Chogo)
The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, conducted Buddhist services at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery on Monday and performed an abhiseca -- a Tibetan strength-giving ceremony -- for thousands of monks and pilgrims.
The ritual started at about 2 p.m. and lasted until 5 p.m, during which the monks and pilgrims prostrated themselves to the Panchen Lama and listened to him recite and explain Buddhist scriptures.
Panchen Lamas traditionally perform abhisecas at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery.
The residence of all previous Panchen Lamas, the 300,000-sq-m Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery was built in 1447.
The 11th Panchen Lama, born on Feb. 13, 1990 in Lhari County of Tibet, was enthroned at Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery by the Chinese central government on Dec. 8, 1995.
The Panchen Lama serves as vice president of the Buddhist Association of China and 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.
