Deputies to the Third Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from the Tibet Autonomous Region hold a plenary session and deliberate the work report delivered by the NPC Standing Committee in Beijing on Mar. 9, 2015. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Phurbu Tsering, an eminent monk from the Sera Monastery, said at the press conference on Monday that the freedom of religious belief is well guaranteed in China’s Tibet, according to Chinanews.com.

The Sera Monastery is one of the Three Great Monasteries in Lhasa (the other two are the Ganden Monastery and the Drepung Monastery). Phurbu Tsering, abbot of the Sera Monastery, took part in the third session of the 12th NPC.

When asked about the monks’ ability to live their lives and practice their faith, he said a series of preferential policies are in place to bring harmony and stability to the monasteries and safeguard religious freedom in Tibet.

The central government has invested heavily in renovating monasteries and restoring the region’s cultural relics in a bid to protect religious culture. Last year alone, a total of 2.39 million yuan (382,200 US dollars) was allocated to the Sera Monastery to upgrade the monks’ living quarters. 　

"Living standards for monks have witnessed a tremendous improvement in recent years. All of us have been covered by medical and endowment insurances as well as subsistence allowances," he said. "Meanwhile, every monastery now has access to water, electricity, highway and library. Some monasteries like ours even have a nursing home".

The library is quite helpful for monks to build upon their knowledge, he added.

Religious activities are also well guaranteed in Tibet.

Over 120,000 believers took part in the "Sera Phujal" (the worship of the thunderbolt of the Horse-necked One) in the Sera Monastery before Losar (Tibetan New Year).

PhurbuTsering also invited journalists to experience the Buddhist Sutra debate held in the Sera Monastery, which has become known both at home and abroad.