 |
Living Buddha: Witness of Tibet's Changes
"I have witnessed, with great pleasure, the historic changes in Tibet," said Bomi Qambalozhub, a renowned living Buhhda, in an interview with Xinhua Friday in Lhasa.
Eighty four-year-old Qambalozhub lives on the third floor of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. His room is simply furnished, with a balcony decorated with flowers and a shrine with bronze statues of Tsong-Khapa, founder of the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and his two disciples.
Both Qambalozhub's parents died when he was a child. Fortunately, he was identified as the first Living Buddha Bomi in his hometown when he was eight.
At the age of 16, Qambalozhub started an in-depth study of Buddhist scriptures at Gandain Monastery, one of the three major monasteries in Lhasa. In 1959, he was conferred the highest degree of the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
"I have witnessed all the great changes in Tibet after its peaceful liberation 50 years ago," said Qambalozhub.
The old Tibet, in Qambalozhub's eyes, was full of shabby houses, citizens fighting with dogs for a mouthful of food, and shackled criminals begging on the streets.
Today, however, typically Tibetan edifices have risen everywhere, and well-built roads lead to every corner of the autonomous region. "Sometimes I get so confused by the new buildings and new roads that I cannot find my way home," said the old man.
As a highly reputed living Buddha, Qambalozhub is very proud of having presided over the ceremony for the reincarnation of tenth Panchen Lama. As the teacher of Buddhist scriptures for Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, the 11th Panchen Lama, Qambalozhub said the new Panchen Lama has won the faith and support of all the people in Tibet and all other Buddhists.
"The reincarnation itself shows the great care and support from the central government," he said.
He said with the restoration and development of lamaseries and temples, Tibet has now over 46,300 Buddhist monks and nuns. Qambalozhub himself was once the principal of the Tibet Buddhist Theological Institute and trained over 200 lamas.
So far, over 600 Buddhists in Tibet have taken posts in people' s congresses and advisory bodies at all levels. Qambalozhub himself is vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China and president of the association's Tibet branch.
"Each day, I see a lot of Buddhists come to the Jokhang Temple from every corner of Tibet to worship Buddha, learn the scriptures or kowtow. Such rituals have never stopped," said Qambalozhub.
Qambalozhub enjoys high prestige among the Buddhists in Tibet, thanks to his accomplishments in Buddhist study and his frankness and integrity. "I have seen with my own eyes the drastic changes in Tibet since its peaceful liberation and in particular, since its democratic reform (begun in 1959). The Tibetan people have benefited most from such changes, which is a fact that allows no subversion," he said.
The living Buddha could hardly conceal his regret at not being present on some occasions marking the 50th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation due to his poor health.
"However, I pray at the Jokhang Temple every day, hoping that under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, Tibet will continue to prosper and all its people will lead happy lives."
In This Section
|