Drukhang Thupten Kedrol (member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference [CPPCC], vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region Committee of the CPPCC, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, president of the Tibetan Branch of the Buddhist Association of China, president of the Tibet Buddhist Institute) 

Today’s living Buddhas (a term for reincarnated lineages) can be said to be under “two riches and one poverty.” By two riches, these individuals are rich in knowledge, like Manjusri, and imbued with esteemed morality, like Confucius or renowned founders of Tibetan Buddhist sects. Their primary poverty is in material possessions, as it was with Milarepa. 

Throughout its history, Tibetan Buddhism has preserved the tradition of showing great care for the Chinese motherland and playing an active role in uniting the many ethnicities of the nation under one umbrella. Serving China’s overall situation, fulfilling its social responsibilities, and establishing its social image are of the utmost importance and comprise a grand task for Tibetan Buddhism as it strives to adapt with the overall development sweeping across the country. 

The clergy has not only continued to expand its massive wealth of knowledge and merits, but it has also importantly played the vital role and positive function of thoughtfully meeting the rationally spiritual needs of Tibetan Buddhists at large and serving societal progress. This is a formidable task: to pragmatically help people and society as a whole, bringing as many living souls as possible to genuine, heartfelt, and lasting contentment.