The 11th Panchen Lama on Monday visited south Tibet’s Shannan Prefecture, held large prayer services and gave head-touch blessings to more than 5,000 local devotees.
It was the 11th Panchen Lama’s first visit to Shannan, honored as the cradle of Tibetan civilization, since he was enthroned as a Tibetan Buddhist leader in 1995.
Thousands of devout Buddhists welcomed the Panchen Lama when he arrived.
He held prayer services at Yumbu La Kang — the first Tibetan palace — and a local monastery and blessed thousands of local devotees who had gathered there.
“I am very happy because it has been my dream to come to Shannan and hold a prayer service here,” the Panchen Lama told local government officials.
The 11th Panchen Lama arrived in Lhasa last Thursday for the start of his annual visit which will include participation in a variety of Buddhist events.
