1,879 Tibetan monks and nuns collect pension

Lhasa (CNS) – To date, all 1,879 monks and nuns of sixty years of age and above who are following their spiritual calling in the temples of Tibet Autonomous Region will begin to come on stream for their pension benefits, according to an official source on Wednesday.

Dorjee Namgy, an official for the local department of Human Resources and Social Security, said that all senior monks and nuns have been entitled to a basic monthly pension of 120 yuan since January 1, 2012, in accordance with a policy the government issued at the end of last year.

Dorjee Namgy said local governments are sending the first month's payments to senior monks and nuns in succession. Seniors in the cities of Lhasa, Chamdo and Shannan have already received their money.

Sera Jampa, 81, a lama, received his first 120-yuan pension along with 36 other senior monks together on Tuesday. He commented, "Besides the basic pension, I also enjoy health insurance and a minimum living allowance, all together the money frees me from any financial concerns."