Khyungpo Tulku, or Living Buddha Khyungpo, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has dedicated himself to actively exploring a way to integrate Buddhist tradition with the modern world, aiming to make it serve society and the people.
In the historic Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, the young lama begins his day in prayer and study every morning at 05:30.
He was just four years old when recognized as the third incarnation of the Khyungpo Tulku of Tashi Gepel Monastery -- part of a centuries-old tradition in Tibetan Buddhism, where high lamas are believed to be reborn to carry on their spiritual mission.
Since 2002, he has lived and studied at Tashilhunpo -- devoted to Buddhist practice, yet also exploring ways to connect with the modern world.
"I entered the monastery at a very young age, and I didn't have a chance to study Chinese language properly. Now whenever I have free time, I try to catch up. I watch documentaries, read books, and use the internet to look up anything I don't understand. Language is important. It's a tool for communication. If I don't understand that, I can't communicate with others," he said in an interview with China Central Television prior to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region on September 9.
Unlike the image of a cloistered monk, Khyungpo Tulku is very much a man of his time.
Born in the 1990s, he bridges two worlds -- grounded in centuries-old Buddhist tradition, yet fluent in the language of the digital age.
He launched his first online account in 2010, long before it was common for religious figures to go online. Today, he has more than half a million followers.
One of his favorite pastimes is photography, capturing mountain vistas and quiet moments of daily life through his lens. He often shares these photos online, along with reflections on life and Buddhist philosophy.
"Whenever I get a chance, I would like to go outing. Why? Because it's a good change to see more of the world. It helps me better understand what we should do and how to make our religious ideas more relevant to society. I love taking photos to document my journey. Everyone has his own interest, and I like sharing. When I see the photos and insights shared by others, and read classic quotes from eminent monks and masters, I can feel their delight and I also feel very delighted. We can learn from each other," he said.
As Khyungpo Tulku pursues the highest degree in Tibetan Buddhist studies, he's also thinking beyond the monastery -- about how faith can serve society.
Elected as a member of the Xizang Autonomous Region Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2012, Khyungpo Tulku has pushed for better rural healthcare and stronger training for local doctors.
In recent years, he has visited schools across the region, advocating better support for basic education.
"The purpose of studying Buddhism isn't just for personal improvement. It's about benefiting others and society. I need to learn about the real conditions and reflect what I've seen through proposals. Now Xizang has seen great changes and improvements in healthcare and education. I want to make some contributions spiritually to social harmony and unity among ethnic groups. That's my biggest wish," he said.
From solitary study to public service, from ancient scripture to smartphone screens, Khyungpo Tulku represents a new generation of lamas in Xizang. His story is not only a personal journey of devotion, but also reflects how young lamas today are upholding tradition while actively engaging with modern society.
Young lama exploring way to serve people with Buddhism
