Salung Phunlha, director of the monastery's management committee. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

BEIJING, Mar. 12 (China Tibet Online) Rinpoche Salung Phunlha said the 20th anniversary of the Panchen Lama's enthronement will be celebrated in the Tashilhunpo Monastery this year.

Salung Phunlha, director of the monastery's management committee, took part in the Third Session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The anniversary celebration will be held in compliance with religious rituals and conventions of Tibetan Buddhism.

"It is a big thing for us," Salung said. "And it is still in the preparation stage. Meanwhile, we have not decided on a specific date."

Built in 1447 A.D., the Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the six biggest monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet and the traditional seat of the successive Panchen Lamas. The monastery, also called the Heap of Glory, is the biggest temple in Shigatse, covering nearly 300,000 square meters. It is comprised of palaces that house gigantic statues and wall paintings showcasing Buddhist art.

On Nov. 29, 1995, at the age of six, the 11th Panchen Lama was chosen as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Erdeni in Jokhang Temple through the traditional method of drawing lots from a golden urn. He was enthroned in the Tashilhunpo Monastery on Dec. 8 the same year.

The Tashilhunpo Monastery [Photo/China Tibet Online]