The 11th Panchen Lama paid homage to Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, at the Jokhan Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, Tibet's religious leader, arrived at the Jokhan Temple early on Wednesday morning to pay his annual respects to Sakyamuni.

He presented a "hada", a white scarf which is a symbol of best wishes, and kowtowed before the founder's statue.

The 11th Panchen Lama also performed benediction rituals for his followers at the temple.

Born on February 13, 1990 in Lhari county of Nagqu prefecture in northern Tibet, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu was approved by the central government in November 1995 as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. He was installed on December 8, 1995.

(Xinhua News Agency August 24, 2006)