August 15, 2014
On the morning of 12 August, Raidi (Vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People’s Congress) met Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu (a permanent member of CPPCC, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China.).
The permanent members of the TAR party committee, the party secretary and the vice chairman of TAR CPPCC, Gonpo Tashi (Head of the TAR’s united front) were present during the meeting.
Raidi extended a warm welcome to the Panchen Lama on his visit. He said that he was made aware through television, radio, newspaper, internet etc that since the 42 days of the Panchen Lama’s entering Tibet, all the activities carried out have been peaceful, fulfilling and smooth. The response of the public was warm, positive, and he got the support, love and respect of the religious masses. He said that he was happy from the bottom of his heart and also gave him his heartfelt wishes.
Raidi said, “In these recent times, the momentum of development of Tibet has been very good. The excellent leadership of the central party under Xi Jinping and the extensive, selfless support of the masses and of the regional party committee with Chen Quanguo as the general secretary has led the masses of cadres of every ethnicity from the entire region and further implemented the spirit of the second and third plenum of the 18th party congress, further implemented the spirit of the important speeches delivered by Xi Jinping, especially the important strategic thought of “To rule the country we must rule the borders and to rule the borders we must make Tibet stable”, implemented the important directive of “Work hard to bring persistent stability, long term stability and comprehensive stability to Tibet”, implemented Yu Zhengsheng’s directive of “Rule Tibet as per the law, develop it for the long term, win the hearts of the people and ram the foundation”, adhere closely to “One core”, “Two main tasks” and “Four guarantees” defined by the central party, were innovative and did practical work and continued to maintain the situation of scientific development, social stability, unity among the nationalities, improvement of the livelihood of the people, harmony in religion, good ecological environment and the building of the party. Not long ago, Meng jian zhu (secretary of Central Politics and Law Commission of the Communist Party of China/member of the politburo of the central party) had paid a special visit to Tibet to carry out investigations. He appreciated the rapid development in Tibet, the big change that had come over, the social stability, rapid economic development and the sense of security among the people in these recent years. This shows that the central party highly appreciates and fully approves of the work that has been done here in Tibet. We feel happy and encouraged. We must use this as a motivation and continue with the good job.
With deep concern from the Central Party and the State council, great care from every monk of Tibetan Buddhism, concern of the Central party, the government bodies, the departments concerned, the party committee of TAR, the government, and with the arduous work you have put in, great progress has been made in the fields of erudition, self cultivation etc. You are continuously rising higher in your religious attainments and have got the acknowledgement of monks of Tibetan Buddhism. Great progress has been made in cultural accomplishments and in knowledge of every field, especially in the fields of calligraphy. The needs of the religious people have been satisfied by conducting Buddhist activities, by giving sermons to the monks in the monasteries and to the religious masses. After the Ludian earthquake in Yunnan on 3 August, you conducted a prayer meeting at Tashi Lhunpo and prayed so that the deceased find peace and the living are freed of misery, the world becomes a peaceful place and the people enjoy good health. You also donated 150 thousand Yuan to the disaster struck areas. Your heart is with the people from the disaster struck areas. This was a really nice gesture.
We have met many a times in all these years. I have personally experienced your magnanimity, have also come to understand your progress through various sources and we have a feeling that you are becoming more and more mature in politics .Especially when you repeatedly say in many of your speeches that but for the CPC, we would not have had the New China and the new Socialist Tibet and advise people to always obey the party, follow the party, resolutely safeguard the unity of the motherland and unity among people, I feel overjoyed.
The Central party has always attached great importance to foster you, especially since the 18th party Congress with Xi Jinping as the head of the central party. Xi Jinping made special arrangements to increase two subjects for your study- Path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and History of CPC. This clearly shows the importance given to you and the great expectation the party has from you. I have heard the comrades concerned say that you are very enthusiastic about your studies and determined not to let down the hopes pinned on you. I am overjoyed.
Raidi said earnestly that having personal experience in participation in the 10th Panchen Lama reincarnation work, I have seen with my own eyes the growth you have had ever since you occupied the position. Before I could realise, 20 years have passed. Even since the establishment of New China, you are the first living Buddha who has been selected the high monk as per the religious customs at the Jakhong temple and approved of by the party. This has set an example of the Buddhist spirit for the future world, a successful model set by the living Buddha of the Tibetan Buddhism. It has poured water on the conspiracy by the team of the 14th Dalai Lama. Looking back at this history, I just hope that you keep in mind that none of the phases of your progress and growth would be possible without the concern, love and respect of the party and the nation. You must always be loyal to the CPC and keep in pace with the party. This will be the guarantee for success in work and give you the base for making yourself useful. With the extremely complicated struggle prevailing now with the 14th Dalai Lama you have to always keep your historical mission in mind. As a living Buddha, you must continue to always cherish your motherland, give your heart to the people, stick to the right political direction, spread the glorious tradition of Tibetan Buddhism of loving one’s nation, resolutely safeguard the unity of the motherland and the nationalities. I believe that you will definitely be able to love your religion, loves the ethnic groups and the nation, and love the party, work hard to become a new generation of living Buddha whom the monks believe in, the masses have faith in and who protects the nation and brings benefits to the people.
Raidi also got a picture of the arrangements for the upcoming activities and also warned them to pay attention to change in weather and asked them to take care of their health. In the end he gave wished the Panchen Lama good health and success in all his activities wholeheartedly.
The Panchen Lama expressed his gratitude to Raidi for his concern and also for the care and instruction showed by for his growth. Since 19 years, ever since I came to power, the state council has been very attentive and caring, importance has been given to me by TAR and the departments concerned at every level. My growth and progress would not have been possible without your concern and instructions. I will continue to work hard.
You are the leaders of the Tibetan people. You have worked a lot and made lots of contributions for Tibet’s development and stability, for improvement of the livelihood of the people and the sound development of Tibetan Buddhism. A massive change has overcome Tibet in the past few decades.
The Panchen Lama said that as a successor of the Panchen Lamas, he would definitely carry forward and promote the tradition of the Panchen lamas, i.e love the country and the religion, safeguard the nation and bring benefits to the people, safeguard the leadership of CPC, unite the religious masses to contribute in the building of a beautiful China and Tibet. He would sincerely carry out the work given to him by the party and the country and the mission of the history.
The Panchen Lama wholeheartedly wished Raidi good health, hoped that he would give importance to and show his concern for the development of Tibetan Buddhism and keep showering his concerns and keep giving instructions always.
People responsible from the departments concerned in the Central Party, and the TAR, were present during the meeting.
