The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, has donated 100,000 yuan (about US$14,700) to quake relief efforts in China's northwestern province of Qinghai.

In a message to quake victims, the Panchen Lama said he is deeply sorry for and shocked by the loss of life and destruction of property in Wednesday's 7.1-magnitude earthquake.

He said he believes the victims of the earthquake will weather the disaster and rebuild their homes under the leadership of the government.

The Panchen Lama also asked Tibetan monks at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the seat of successive Panchen Lamas in Tibet's Xigaze, to pray for the quake victims.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2010)