The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, started Tuesday evening his first-ever closed-door religious retreat in the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in the Tibetan city of Xigaze, the traditional seat for successive Panchen Lamas.

The retreat began at about 7 PM when the sun was about to set and will last for 18 days.

The 11th Panchen Lama, accompanied by five other monk dignitaries, will spend the period on prayer, thought and study of Buddhist scriptures, consuming only a little food and water each day.

Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu was confirmed and approved by the State Council, China's cabinet, as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama on Nov. 29, 1995 after a ceremony of drawing lots from a sacred gold urn, which was conducted in strict compliance with religious rituals and historical conventions.

He ascended the holy throne as the 11th Panchen Lama at a formal solemn ceremony held at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery on Dec. 8,1995.

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2005)