In Nagarze County near Lhasa, there's a monastery named Samding where the only female living Buddha in the Tibet Autonomous Region serves. Having lived through tough days in the past, how is she looking at the present and future of Tibet?

Samding Dojepamo Deqenquzhen was born in 1942, before new China was founded. She was chosen as the 12th Dojepamo living Buddha at the age of five.

Samding Dojepamo Deqenquzhen was born in 1942, before new China was founded. She was chosen as the 12th Dojepamo living Buddha at the age of five. In the following eight years, she studied Buddhism scriptures in the Samding Monastery. She became vice chairperson of the first Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Samding Dojepamo Deqenquzhen said, "I used to be one of the three manorial lords who oppressed and exploited people. But the Party has taught me to be a patriotic person who serves the people. Now I'm also the deputy director of the standing committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress."

Samding still remembers the arduous life brought by the dark and cruel serfdom of the past. She says the peaceful liberation and democratic reform of Tibet have made dramatic changes in the region, especially after the country's reform and opening up.

Samding still remembers the arduous life brought by the dark and cruel serfdom of the past.

Samding Dojepamo Deqenquzhen said, "In the old days there was no education in Tibet. We had no schools to teach our children. So most of them were illiterate. But now everybody has the opportunity to receive an education."

Samding also says she's glad to see many hospitals and clinics being set up across Tibet, specializing in traditional Chinese, western or Tibetan disciplines. This has offered every Tibetan equal rights to enjoy social services. She says life in Tibet is peaceful, and she condemns all secessionist activities.

Samding Dojepamo Deqenquzhen said, "The violence of that happened on March 14th was a carefully plotted act by secessionists from home and abroad aimed at sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games, splitting Tibet from China and restoring the feudal serfdom. They just hate to see a peaceful and happy Tibet."

The living Buddha says the development of Tibet and improvement of people's living standards is an obvious fact that can never be denied. She urged people all over the world to be fair and just, and refrain from making irresponsible comments on the internal affairs of China.

(CCTV April 17, 2008)