Gansu Province, called Xiliang in ancient times, covers an area of 390,000 square kilometers in Northwest China. It is bounded by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the west, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the north, Qinghai and Sichuan Provinces in the south, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province in the east. In the south, near the border with Sichuan Province, is the Gannan (Southern Gansu) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Performing a sorcerer's dance to drive out evil in the hopes that Buddhist followers will eternally enjoy blessings from Buddha.	Turning prayer wheels.

The prefecture has an elevation of over 3,000 meters and a temperature varying greatly between day and night. The beautiful scenery includes the snowcapped Amne Machin Mountain, the boundless grassland, and the endlessly rolling Huanghe (Yellow) River. The Babrang and Nam Monasteries add a feeling of Tibetan Buddhism, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere.

Because over 90 percent of the population here are Tibetans, every season has its Tibetan festivals such as the Shining Buddha Festival, the Xianglang (Outing and Recreation) Festival, the Chajian Festival, and the Flower Festival. The largest of these is the Shining Buddha Festival on the 13th day of the first lunar month. Large monasteries like the Nam Monastery hold a grand celebration lasting from the 13th day to the 16th, attracting large numbers of Buddhist followers and tourists and giving pious pilgrims an opportunity to donate money and items to the monasteries and lamas.

The Shining Buddha Festival is a grand ritual where an embroidered portrait of Sakyamuni Buddha , the founder of Buddhism, is displayed outside, showing the great image of Buddha to the public. The Buddhist followers feel that they are in the presence of Buddha himself, and they prostrate themselves in worship of the eternal power of Buddha and pray for a peaceful and happy life. Because the portrait of Buddha is a treasure of the monastery and is seldom shown to the public, thousands of people come to see it.

More than a hundred lamas carry the portrait of Buddha on their shoulders.	Showing the grand image of Buddha to the public.

The Nam Monastery is in Maqu County at the juncture of Gansu, Qinghai, and Sichuan Provinces and is one of the well-known monasteries in Gannan. Early in the morning on the 13th day of the first lunar month, the pilgrims and tourists converge at the Nam Monastery for the festival. Some hold hadas (scarves to be presented as offerings), some turn prayer wheels, and most bend slightly to salute with palms joined. The expression in their eyes shows their religious sincerity as they wait for the appearance of Buddha.

The sound of the fahao trumpets and the beating of gongs herald the opening of the Shining Buddha ceremony.	A grand scene at the Shining Buddha Festival.

At about 9 o'clock, the long fahao trumpets sound and the gongs beat for the beginning of the grand Shining Buddha ceremony. A long line of lamas come out of the monastery. At the head of the line, a hundred lamas carry a rolled-up portrait of Buddha dozens of meters long on their shoulders and go toward the platform where the portrait will be hung. Where the portrait will be hung. Afterwards, on the 14th day of the month, the Buddhist services at the Nam Monastery will include debates on Buddhist classics and the burning of effigies of evil spirits, and on the 15th day, praying for happiness. On thlast day, the 16th, there will be Buddha dharma dances and the lighting of butter lamps.