The 11th Panchen Lama Erdoni Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu prayed in the main hall of Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas on August 3, the third day after his arriving in Shigatse.

In order to greet the Panchen Lama, the monastery replaced new cloths over its doorways and windows of a few days ago, and decorated the front of the main hall with fresh flowers and colored cloth that is only used to welcome Living Buddhas.

In the morning, Buddhists and tourists waited outside the gate of Tashilhunpo Monastery for the arrival of the Panchen Lama and his entourage.

The Panchen Lama took off his yellow dharma hat and prayed to the stupa three times. Then, with his sutra teacher and monks in attendance, he chanted sutras.

Photo shows the Panchen Lama presents a khata to the stupa.

Buddhists and tourists lined up in a queue, holding khatas and eagerly waiting for the Panchen Lama's arrival.

The Panchen Lama, with smile on his face, blessed Buddhist followers and tourists one by one.

One Buddhist named Tawang said excitedly, "Every summer we come to Tashilhunpo Monastery to pray to the Panchen Lama. This is the third time we've received blessings from him; it's really very exciting!"

Photo shows the Panchen Lam and monks chant sutras together inside the temple hall.

Tashilhunpo means "auspicious land" in Tibetan. It is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas and is the largest monastery of Gelug Sect in Tibetan Buddhism's in rear Tibet. Photo shows the Panchen Lama touches the tops of people's heads to give them blessings.

Photo shows an Elderly woman is receiving vajra knots after being blessed by the Panchen Lama.

Photo shows a monk shed tears after seeing the Panchen Lama.