Dondrubwangbum, head of the delegation and professor of the Chinese Central University for Nationalities, gave a brief presentation of the achievements and protection of cultural and artistic activities of the Buddhism in China's Tibet Autonomous region.

"There are more than 1,700 cultural relics and historical sites in Tibet, most of which are well protected," Dondrubwangbum told Legras.

"Worldly famous sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Ganden Monastery are not only religious treasury of the Tibetan Buddhism, but also great works of architecture with a great quantity of precious religious sculptures and paintings," he said.

"The Tibetan people, who enjoy the freedom of religious belief since over 20 years ago, are willing to expand exchanges with the world," said the professor, who was born and grew up in Tibet.

Dramdul, director of religious studies at the Chinese Center for Tibetan Studies, explained the system of education and research of Tibetan Buddhism in China.

"Those who are passionate for the Tibetan Buddhism can not only take Buddhist courses at temples and monasteries, but also join newly created and modern Buddhist colleges," he said.

On his part, Legras said the Tibetan Buddhism is a religion based on the spirit of peace and humanism, which explains the fact that it enjoys unprecedented popularity in France in these years.

"The number of the French who believe in Buddhism has increased by 10 times in past 20 years, reaching 600,000-more or 1percent of the whole population now," he said.

"I believe that the religion and culture of the Tibetan Buddhism will enjoy further development in China," he added.

The Chinese Tibetan delegation arrived here Thursday. Its members include Jiaoba Dongzhu, professor of Tibetology and Director of Gesar Epic Research Institute in Qinghai Province and Tseyang Changngopa, professor of Women and Gender Studies at Tibet University.

"Life of King Gesar", world's longest epic, has for long centuries been known only to a few Tibetan folk artists who passed it down orally. It has regained its golden time with a print edition published last year.

The Tibetan delegation will hold discussions with their French colleagues and visit the faculty of Tibetology at the College of Oriental Languages of Sorbonne (University of Paris).

The delegation will leave France on Wednesday for Portugal and Germany.

(eastday.com October 12, 2002)