Buddhist leader reminds monks to use phones less

Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi-rGyalpo — also known as Panchen Rinpoche — called on monks to reduce their dependence on electronic devices when performing their daily religious practices, as he conducted a series of religious activities in monasteries in Shigatse of the Xizang autonomous region last week.

Panchen Rinpoche, a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China and president of the association's Xizang branch, made the remarks during his visits to Lhading Temple of the city's Namling county, and Pokhang Monastery and Drangmejan Monastery of Panam county, between Nov 20 and 24.

In the past two years, Panchen Rinpoche has referred several times to how Tibetan Buddhist monks should objectively view the convenience of mobile phones for studying and practicing scriptures, as well as their potential distractions.

"As practitioners, it is important for us to maintain a positive image while participating in religious ceremonies, studying teachings and engaging in various Buddhist assemblies," Panchen Rinpoche was quoted as saying by China News Service.

While visiting the Drangmejan Monastery on Nov 24, pilgrims and local residents around the monastery performed an intangible cultural dance to showcase their warm welcome to Panchen Rinpoche.

"In an era of social progress, economic development, increased national strength and material abundance, it is crucial for us to collectively commit to contributing to the advancement of Tibetan Buddhism," said Panchen Rinpoche.

While visiting several other monasteries in Shigatse in early November, Panchen Rinpoche conducted sutra teachings for the monks, and stressed the importance of keeping pace with the times while living as a Buddhist monk.

"We are all individuals of the modern era, and therefore our thinking cannot be confined to the past," he noted previously.

While paying a religious visit to Lhading Temple on Nov 20, he fulfilled his pilgrimage by chanting, praying, interpreting scriptures and teaching. He also gave head-touching blessings to the monks and donated to the monastery.

Lhundrub Jenpa, a senior monk of the temple, said his temple is small and has only a few monks.

"Panchen Rinpoche spares no pains to make a visit to our temple to preach scriptures and teachings, which is extremely auspicious and remarkable for us," said Lhundrub Jenpa.

"It is a significant moment to receive a Tibetan Buddhism spiritual leader, marking the first time in 200 to 300 years, and this occasion holds great importance for the temple as we seek to learn religious rituals, including the proper way of welcoming a great Living Buddha."