This is the Grand Summons Ceremony in Lhasa (1957). Lhasa is a splendid and mysterious ancient city. In February 1957, the Grand Summons Ceremony began on the second day of the first Tibetan month. More than 30,000 monks from the three major monasteries of Zhaibung, Sera and Gandain as well as from other parts of Tibet gathered in the city. There were also countless number of secular pilgrims. Public order was in extreme chaos, with stealing, mugging, fighting and murders occurring frequently. At that time, employees of the government organs were not allowed to go out according to the stipulation.

I was anxious to view the scene from a professional viewpoint but my leader disagreed. Hence, I went to ask the deputy editor-in-chief Garsho Tonzhol (a fourth-ranking official sent by the local government of Tibet to the newspaper office) for help. He also shook his head, citing the public disorder. Soon, Gandain Chipa Tubdain Kungar (the 96th abbot of the Gandain Monastery) would go to "Sumchori"Square to deliver a sermon. Since the newspaper office should report this news, Garsho Tonzhol and I were sent. I finally achieved my wish and grabbed my camera. Barkor Street was full of people so we couldn't get through. Garsho asked me whether I had any money. I beat my pocket and the silver dollars (only silver dollars instead of the RMB were current in Tibet at that time) in it tinkled. He advised to invite a Dordo to help us clear the way. He took three silver dollars to a lama with a long club in his hand and a long knife at his waist. He was very tall. He had tied a piece of red cloth around his arm, painted ink on his face and had a few long hairs on his crown. What a devilish looking fellow! Garsho addressed him respectfully and gave him the silver dollars while explaining our desire. The Dordo nodded without saying anything. Holding up his long stick, he turned about and walked forward and at the same time, pretended to beat people and shouted, "Keep off and get out of the way quickly!" No one dared to offend the Dordo and the crowd parted to make a passage. In this way, we got to the platform where Gandain Chipa would give his lecture.

The Grand Summons Ceremony was originated by Master Zongkapa of the Gelug Sect in Lhasa in 1409, with a view to enlarging the sect's influence. Meanwhile, he wanted to raise money through the prayer meeting to maintain the monasteries and monks of the Gelug Sect. He gathered several thousand monks to chant sutras and grant alms to carry forward Buddhism, thus promoting the status of the Gelug Sect in Tibet. His proposition was supported by Zhaba Gyaincain, head of Tibet at that time, who was the general almsgiver of the first Grand Summons Ceremony. Subsequently, the Grand Summons Ceremony was always held at the beginning of the Tibetan New Year.

This photo shows the sutra chanting activity on the "Sumchori" Square in February 1957 (the third day of the first Tibetan month). During the period of Grand Summons Ceremony, each monk should chant sutras six times a day. The sutra chanting and sutra debating were the most important events. Monks believed that only through chanting sutras, praying and cultivating themselves to master the three studies of precepts, Samadhi, and wisdom, could they attain nirvana, breaking away from the "abyss of misery" (1957)