On Dec. 8, 1995, the enthronement of the 11th Panchen Lama was held at the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional residence of the Panchen Lamas. Born on Feb. 13, 1990 in north Tibet's Nagqu Prefecture, the Panchen Erdeni Qoigyi Gyaibo was recognized as the incarnation soul boy of the 10th Panchen Lama in Lhasa in November 1995, after strictly executing the religious lot-drawing ritual, and being approved by China's State Council. The following photos show how a boy born in the 1990s has grown into an eminent Tibetan Buddhist leader.

In 1995, the 11th Panchen Lama enthroned with the help of Li Tieying, representative of the State Council and StateCouncillor.

The 11th Panchen Lama at the tonsure ceremony

On Jan. 12, 1996, the Panchen Lama presented Hada to the then ChinesePresident Jiang Zemin in Beijing.

In June 1998, the Panchen Lama first received consecration by sprinkling water for life-long empowerment.

The Panchen Lama is studying Buddhist scriptures in September 2004.

The Panchedn Lama paid homage to the then Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The Panchen Lama hosted a prayer ceremony for the blessings of the Wenchuan earthquake victims at theGonghegong Lamasery Temple, Beijing, on May 21, 2008.

On July 25, 2009, the Panchen Lama attended the Bhiksu ceremony, marking his being an ordained monk.

On July 4, the Panchen Lama gave a tonsure to the 5th Dedruk Tulku, a reincarnation soul boy.

A smile of the Panchen Lama