Published by: World Tibet Network News, Tuesday, August 13, 1996

XINING (Aug. 12) XINHUA - A leading living Buddha urged the Dalai Lama in exile today to learn from the late Panchen Lama to love the motherland and carry forward the tradition and spirit of Buddhism.

"Only those who love the country as well as the religion are true religious leaders," said Agya Lobsangtudain Gyaurme Gyanco in an interview with Xinhua.

The 46-year-old living Buddha chairs the Gumbum (Taer) Monastery in Northwest China's Qinghai Province, which is one of the four most respected monasteries of the Yellow Sect of the Tibetan Buddhism. The other three are located in Lhasa.

The late Panchen Lama, who died in 1989, was installed to his holy throne in this monastery and spent nine years here. The Agya Living Buddha has been learning Buddhism from the Panchen since he arrived at the temple at an age of two.

"The Panchen's words and deeds of loving both the country and religion has set himself an example for our monastery, and further consolidated our belief in our whole Chinese nation and our religion," the Agya said.

"He was the very true leader of Tibetan Buddhism," the Agya said. The Dalai Lama was once a religious leader in Tibet in addition to the Panchen Lama. But he has so far been going in the other direction, the Agya said.

When he was re-elected to the post of vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Panchen still traveled across the Tibetan regions to conduct surveys and researches, despite his age and heart disease.

"His love for Tibet, the country and the religion shall always be remembered by our religious circles," the Agya said.

The Late Panchen went to foreign countries three times in the 1980's, and the Agya has been twice with him in the entourage.

At a Buddhism conference in Nepal, Panchen's teachings attracted over 10, 000 people with Tibetan origins. Many burst into tears with joy.

"The Great Master Panchen was like healing the spiritual injuries of children who have been long away from motherland," a Tibetan in his sixties, who came to the conference from his home in France, told the Agya.

"And how can anyone say that the Chinese Communist Party did not allow freedom of religion," he asked.

China has enough room for religion, and has room for the Dalai Lama, only if he loves the country, as well as the religion, the Agya said.