On August 24, Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and president of the association's Tibet branch, visited the Drigung Monastery, where he chanted sutras and presented khadas--silk scarves used to express respect and greetings--to Buddhist statues. Located in Mamba Township, Maizhokunggar County, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region, Drigung Monastery has a history of more than 840 years. It is a monastery of the Drigung Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, and is also the major monastery of Drigung Kagyu School.

Panchen Rinpoche said, “Expounding Buddhism and bringing benefits to the people’s well being is the most significant practice in our life. It is truly important to read the Five Principal Subjects and bear it in mind, however, the unity of knowledge and practice, and edification from the Buddhist teachings matter most.” Panchen Rinpoche said, “The Buddhist monks and nuns have a good life with support from the country, therefore, we shall insist in studying the classics. All major religions are developing and thriving in the 21st century. The inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism rely on all of us to join together with aspirations and endeavors. All sects of Tibetan Buddhism have the same roots and origins, so we should learn from and help each other, strengthen the three consciousnesses (national consciousness, civic consciousness and legal consciousness), fulfill the noble mission of loving our country and religion, and play a more active role in adapting Tibetan Buddhism to the Chinese context.