Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, the 11th Panchen Lama, on Friday expressed best wishes to all Tibetans at home and abroad for both the Spring Festival and the Tibetan Year of the Iron Ox through China Tibet Online.
Looking back at the past year, he expressed his affirmation that China has overcome difficulties in the face of the pandemic. "The whole country united together, and all people worked with one heart, achieving outstanding results in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, which draws much worldwide attention," he said.
"From the pandemic, we have further understood how precious life is. As I see it, health, peace and happiness are the most precious fortune in human life. From the pandemic, we have also further understood that all human beings are in a community with a shared future."
He also expressed his understanding of the importance of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Erdini Qoigyijabu spoke of the historic alleviation of poverty in Tibet and of people in the region living and working in peace and contentment, and expressed his sincere gratitude to the country. "I feel very gratified to see the new Tibet today," he said. "A glorious time and a happy homeland is not a gift from nature. We should remain grateful for our country, and for the thousands upon thousands of people willing to sacrifice for us.”
Finally, he offered New Year blessings to the people of the whole country. "Let us jointly wish and pray the world be peaceful, the country be prosperous, the people live in peace, the weather be favorable, and all living things live joyfully! I wish everyone and every family be happy, safe and sound in the New Year and reap a new harvest," he concluded.
The Tibetan New Year, known as Losar, is the most important festival on the Tibetan calendar.
