Rinwang Denzin, Denpel Nyima, and Lhabu, three Living Buddhas from the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China, visited Saturday the Chulalongkorn Buddhism University, the top Buddhism school of higher learning in Thailand, together with some Tibetanologists and members of the Chinese delegation that was in Bangkok for the "China Tibet Culture Week" opened here Friday.
Li Bing, vice-minister of the Information Office of the State Council of China, said that the cultural week event was designed to bring the exotic Tibetan culture to the Thai people and provide opportunities of communication for Living Buddhas from Tibet and Thai monks. He invited Thai monks to visit Tibet to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism.
During the visit to the university, the Living Buddhas and experts on Tibetan studies gave a report on Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan culture, and China's religious policies to some 200 monks and local Buddhists.
Phrathep Sopon, president of the university, said it was a hard-won opportunity to have such a report being given here in the university, which was considered a holy place among the Thai people.
At the request of the Thai monks, the three Living Buddhas chanted before a gold Buddha statue in Tibetan language. Though the chanting was not understandable by sound, the Thai monks understood it by content as both Mahayana Buddhists and Hinayana Buddhists were disciples of Sakyamuni.
"China Tibet Culture Week", the first of its kind ever held in Thailand, was scheduled to last from Dec. 5 to 18. The event is aimed to offer local audience a panoramic view on Tibet with typical Tibetan singing, dancing, movies and exhibitions.
(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2003)
