The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, won applauses and appreciation for his English speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the Second World Buddhist Forum Saturday in Wuxi City of east China's Jiangsu Province.

The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, attends the opening ceremony of the Second World Buddhist Forum (WBF) in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province on March 28, 2009. The Second WBF opened on Saturday.

"The 11th Panchen Lama's wonderful English speech has joyfully shocked the Buddhist masters and cultural elites present at the forum," said Master Xue Cheng, vice president and secretary general of the Buddhist Association of China (BAC). "He has a good command of the Chinese, English and Tibetan languages."

"The Buddhists from English-speaking countries who I talked with shortly after his speech have highly praised his English proficiency," said Xue.

"His good command of English shows his endeavors and the care from the Chinese government," he added.

"Since English is an international language, the 11th Panchen Lama's speech in English this time will definitely impress the world," said Shi Yongxin，abbot of China's famed Shaolin Temple.

"He appeared very mature and moderate," Shi added.

"As far as I know, the 11th Panchen Lama learns the Tibetan language and Buddhism knowledge in a very assiduous way," said Jalsan, BAC Standing Member of Council of Directors.

"Three years ago, he delivered his speech at the First World Buddhist Forum in Tibetan while now his English is very fluent," added Jalsan, also president of the Buddhist Association of Inner Mongolia. "It shows that he had made great progress."

"I myself is a follower of the Tibetan Buddhism and we disciples of the Tibetan Buddhism pin great hopes on him," he said.

"His English speech is very commendable," said Professor H. Abeygunawardena, Vice Chancellor of University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. "His learning English embodies China's policy of religious freedom."

"Since I do not speak Chinese and Tibetan, I'd prefer that he continues to deliver speech in English," he said. "So what get lost in translation will be minimized."

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2009)