"Buddhism influences are omnipotent in Tibet. The most magnificent building in Tibet must be a temple, the most precious relics must be in temples, and monks are always masters of Tibetan medicines, astronomy and calendar," says Zheng Dui.

On the roads leading to Lhasa, pilgrims can be seen prostrating themselves every step they walk. Cattle hide and canvas clothes and wood plates on the hands protect them from dust and scrapes.

The faithful have put modern technology into their service. Kabma Chilai, from Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in Qinghai Province, made his most recent pilgrimage to Lhasa by train. "My biggest wish was to worship at the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa," he says.

"People in my hometown used to take the bus for pilgrimages, but now we have the train. The fares are almost the same, but train is more safe and comfortable."

Gesang Goiden, a Gexi, or a high-level lama, in Gandan Monastery, says he asked a friend to buy a laptop computer for him from Beijing so that he could give lessons to disciples through multi-media.

"Modern culture is the common wealth of the humankind," says Gesang. "It will not reduce sutra reading in monasteries or slow the pilgrims' steps."

Official statistics show Tibet has about 1,700 religious sites with 46,000 registered monks and nuns. Tibet has a population of about 2.84 million at the end of last year, more than 2.5 million of whom, or 95.3 percent, are Tibetan, according to the Tibet Autonomous Regional Bureau of Statistics.

"Tibetans have a unique Buddhist faith, which has evolved over thousands of years and influenced their culture. The religion and customs have been respected and protected since the foundation of Tibet Autonomous Region," says Zheng Dui.

"The central and local governments have invested more than 700 million yuan (110 million US dollars) over the past two decades in the preservation and maintenance of monasteries and cultural relics in Tibet."

The investment has helped maintain another ancient tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. For hundreds of years, families have sent one of their children to a monastery to become a monk, a practice which they believe brings a blessing on them.

At the 700-year-old Dabug Xiazhulin Monastery in Shannan Prefecture, a constant procession of people comes to worship the statues and the thangka (religious scroll paintings) in the dim light of the glimmering ghee lamps.

One of the saffron-robed monks in the hall is 25-year-old Losang Puencog, who was sent to the monastery at the age of 11. He gets up at dawn every day and reads sutras till dusk.

"It is not boring. To us Tibetans, sutra reading is the best thing."

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2008)