Lhasa - For the first time, 59 Tibetan monasteries and 6,773 monks and nuns were cited Thursday for their contributions to the harmonious development of religion in Tibet by the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Administration for Religious Affairs.

Since last year, Tibet autonomous region has instituted innovative measures in the management of local monasteries, which has created a harmonious and stable atmosphere, the United Front Work Department said in a congratulatory letter read at Thursday's award ceremony.

Lobsang Gyaincain, an honoree from Qamdo's Jambalin Monastery expressed his gratitude, saying:

"The government has now included us into the social governance and public service systems. That allows us monks and nuns to enjoy equal treatment like any other citizen. It's like finding our home finally."

He said that since last October, Qamdo has begun to offer local monks and nuns pensions and medical insurance, and has given assistance to monasteries, monks and their families.

"That means we can leave our worries behind, and keep our minds on the study Buddhist teachings," Lobsang Gyaincain said.

The local government has equipped Jambalin Monastery with TV sets, a library, and newspapers, he said. Movies are shown regularly.

The monastery building will soon be restored with special government funds, he said. Prior to this, all repairs and maintenance of the monastery depended on the voluntary labor of the monks and devotees, Lobsang Gyaincain said. It was done bit by bit because they were short of funds, he said.

Jambalin Monastery is just one example. In 2011, the autonomous region started a project to enroll all registered Buddhist monks and nuns in the old-age pension and medical insurance systems.

Local governments have poured funds into improving the infrastructure of monasteries, including projects to bring in clean drinking water, electricity, TV, radio, and libraries and enhancing traffic flow.

According to Lobsang Chospel of Lhasa's Sera Monastery, who is vice secretary of the Tibetan branch of the China Buddhist Association, managers of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries must adopt innovation management measures to "benefit monasteries, monks and Buddhism".

"Buddha made harmony and peace cherished values of all Buddhist followers 2,500 years ago, and only those who devote themselves to these values can be a qualified Buddhist," he said.