The Buddhist Association of China held religious service Friday to pray for victims in quake-hit Yushu of northwestern Qinghai Province and raised 2.33 million yuan (US$341,286) for disaster relief.

The association's president Chuan Yin said the country's Buddhist circle was in deep sorrow for the loss of life and destruction of property in Wednesday's 7.1-magnitude earthquake.

He said Tibetan monks in Yushu had actively participated in quake relief.

The association's vice president Xue Cheng called on local Buddhist associations nationwide to hold religious service to pray for quake victims and raise more funds for reconstruction in the quake zone.

Nearly 1,000 people attended Friday's religious service.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2010)