President Xi urges Panchen Lama to carry on patriotism

BEIJING, June 10 -- President Xi Jinping met the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu on Wednesday, urging him to carry on the patriotic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Xi hoped that the Panchen Lama will keep the motherland and its people in his heart and firmly work for the unification of the country and all its ethnic groups.

The president said during the meeting that he expected the Panchen Lama to grow into "a Tibetan Buddhist leader with great religious achievement, deeply loved by the monks and secular followers."

Xi expects the Panchen Lama to carry on the legacy of his predecessor and actively engage in the cause to incorporate Tibetan Buddhism into socialist society under the Buddhist principles of equality and compassion among all beings.

He suggested that the Panchen Lama promote positive Buddhist doctrines, such as those upholding kindness, denouncing wickedness, promoting equality and generosity as well as helping the needy.

The Panchen Lama was also advised to advance his religious study, nurture his own virtue and expand his vision by obtaining more knowledge of modern science and culture.