The reincarnation of the 5th Living Buddha Dezhub was chosen through a lot-drawing ceremony in Tibet Autonomous Region's capital Lhasa on Sunday.

The Living Buddha, a four-year-old whose secular name is Losang Doje, was selected in accordance with a regulation on the reincarnation of the Living Buddha of Tibetan Buddhism issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs as well as historical conventions and religious rituals.

The ceremony started at around 5:00 AM in the Jokhang Temple and lasted about an hour.

Two slips printed with the two candidates' names were separately sealed in silk bags and placed in a golden urn after being carefully examined by government representatives, senior monks and the candidates' families.

Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, the 11th Panchen Lama and vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China, drew a silk bag out of the urn, confirming Losang Doje as the reincarnation.

Losang Doje was born on Nov 30, 2005 in Shannan Prefecture's Lhunze County. His father is Gaesang Wangdue and his mother is Pema Lacong.

He was chosen as one of the candidates after several years of searching by senior monks, according to religious traditions.

The boy will become the 6th Living Buddha Dezhub after he receives the approval of the people's government of Tibet.

"I'm so honored to witness the process. Our wish has been fulfilled," said Dawa Yangzom, a Lhunze county villager, who was among the more than 100 ceremony attendees.

The 5th Living Buddha, Dezhub Jambai Gaisanggyaco, died in Lhasa on March 11, 2000 at the age 66.

He had previously served the Buddhist Association of China and was a member of the standing committee of the Tibet autonomous region's committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He was also vice-chairman of the Tibetan Branch of the Chinese Buddhist Association.

He had advocated the Party's leadership since Tibet's peaceful liberation in 1959 and unswervingly supported national unity.

Four-year-old Losang Doje dons ceremonial robes on Sunday following his selection as the 6th Living Buddha Dezhub, when a lot-drawing ceremony in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, singled him out as the reincarnation of the 5th Living Buddha Dezhub. [Xinhua]

(China Daily July 5, 2010)