Panchen Lama holds prayer ritual for victims in Yaan quake

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

On April 20, a deadly disastrous 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Lushan County, Ya'an of Sichuan Province, left 193 dead, 25 missing and 12,211 injured as of 6 a.m.on April 23. The 11th Panchen Lama held prayer ritual for victims in the Ya'an quake in Yonghegong Lama Temple in Beijing on April 23, 2013.

(photo/chinatibetonline)

Monks from the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China and Yonghegong Lama Temple prayed for the victims' souls and for the survivors to overcome the hardships caused by the disaster.

According to Buddhist belief, death marks the start of the souls' reincarnation. "Reincarnation" normally is understood to be the transmigration of a soul to another body after death.

Located in downtown Beijing, Yonghegong, a Tibetan Buddhist temple with a history of more than 300 years, attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors every day.

The 11th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima, son of Kunchok Phuntsok and Dechen Choedon, was born on April 25, 1989 and was officially proclaimed as the true reincarnate of the 10th Panchen Lama. The 11th Panchen Lama controversy is a dispute about the current legitimate holder of the Panchen Lama title, a political and religious leadership position in Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibet also offers great quake-relief aid to Ya'an. Tibet Autonomous Region donated two million yuan (about 324,000 U.S. dollars) to Ya'an city in southwest China's Sichuan Province, epicenter of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that occurred on Apr. 20. It is also reported that the first rescue team from Chamdo Prefecture, eastern Tibet Autonomous Region has been dispatched to Lushan County, Ya'an City at 10 a.m. on April 20, 2013.

Tibet is not affected by the Yaan earthquake and it is still safe for travellers to travel to Tibet.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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