One hundred and fourteen poor lamas from Lhasa's monasteries Tuesday got their basic living expenses valued at 38,000 yuan (US$4578) from the local government, sources with the local government said.

It was the first time that poor lamas in the capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region were listed for aid from the social relief system. The 114 lamas are from Lhasa's three major monasteries, the Gandan Temple, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

"There are 1,724 lamas in the three monasteries, 92 of which are over 60 years old. Lamas usually live on alms, but some old and disabled lamas cannot get enough alms because they are not able to attend normal Buddhist ceremonies. So they need financial help from the government," said Lhagba Tionzhub, deputy director of Lhasa's civil affairs bureau.

China started to carry out a new social relief system of poor urban residents in the 1990s. Under the system, the government should provide basic living expenses for urban residents whose income is below the poverty line.

Under the system, the government of Lhasa provides subsidized local living allowances to those whose monthly income is below 170 yuan (US$20.5).

"We usually provide the basic living expenses of local citizens, not including lamas. We decided to help the poor lamas according to the same standard beginning this month," said Lhagba Toinzhub.

"Because of my poor health, I was sent to a home for the aged four years ago. I have got 80 yuan (US$9.6) a month from the monastery since the beginning of this year, and I feel very happy that I can get another subsidy of 90 yuan (US$10.8) monthly from the government," said Qoinpe Jungnai, a 64-year-old lama of the Drepung Monastery.

More poor lamas are expected to receive the basic living expenses in the future, said Lhagba Toinzhub.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2003)