Xi calls for greater ethnic unity, religious harmony

President Xi Jinping has called on Panchen Rinpoche to make greater contributions to promoting ethnic unity, religious harmony, and stability, development and progress in the Xizang autonomous region.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Friday while receiving a visit from Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing.

Xi encouraged him to take the 10th Panchen Erdeni Chokyi Gyaltsen as a role model, and strive to become a revered Tibetan living Buddha with profound knowledge of Buddhism and loved by the monks and secular followers.

During the meeting, Panchen Rinpoche presented Xi with a hada, a piece of silk used as a greeting gift among the Tibetan and Mongolian ethnic groups, and briefed him on his study and work over the past years.

Xi congratulated Panchen Rinpoche on the progress he has made in various aspects, and expressed the hope that Panchen Rinpoche would carry on the patriotic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and resolutely uphold national unity and ethnic solidarity. He also encouraged Panchen Rinpoche to advance his religious study, enhance religious accomplishments and expand his scope of knowledge in various fields.

Xi called on Panchen Rinpoche to be proactive to play a greater role in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, systematically promoting the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, and advancing the modernization drive in Xizang.

He also emphasized the need for Panchen Rinpoche to abide by the law and Buddhist doctrines, and nurture his own virtue and noble sentiments.

Panchen Rinpoche promised that he would learn from the example of the 10th Panchen to firmly uphold the leadership of the CPC, and unswervingly safeguard national unity and ethnic solidarity. He pledged to continue to advance in his religious studies and contribute to the progress of national unity, ensuring that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, and promoting the modernization drive in Xizang.

Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyalpo is one of the most influential living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. He was born on Feb 13, 1990, in Lhari county of Nagchu city in Xizang. On Nov 29, 1995, he was approved and confirmed by the State Council, China's cabinet, as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen after a lot-drawing from a golden urn.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn