XIGAZE: The 11th Panchen Lama on Saturday had an important ordination at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the largest of its kind in Xigaze, Tibet Autonomous Region.

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu (C), one of the two most senior living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, prays with other lamas during a ceremony for his receiving the bhikku (monk) ordination at Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 25, 2009. [Xinhua]

The ordination for 19-year-old Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, one of the two most senior living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, lasted about two hours Saturday morning.

Cering Doje, a 68-year-old monk, said all the monks in the lamasery felt sincerely happy for the ordination of the 11th Panchen Lama.

The 11th Panchen Lama arrived in Lhasa, capital of Tibet on July 14 and went to Xigaze on July 19. He was welcomed by tens of thousands of followers.

Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu was approved by the central government as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama in November 1995 after a lot- drawing ceremony among three candidates in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu (L), one of the two most senior living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, presents a "hada", a white scarf symbolizing Tibetan best wishes, to his sutra teacher Jamyang Gyamco during a ceremony for his receiving the bhikku (monk) ordination at Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 25, 2009. [Xinhua]

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu (C in front), one of the two most senior living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, recites sutra in front of his sutra teacher Jamyang Gyamco and other senior lamas during a ceremony for his receiving the bhikku (monk) ordination at Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 25, 2009. [Xinhua]