BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition on the theme of the successive Panchen Lamas and Buddhism art opened Sunday in the Palace Museum.

The exhibition, with the theme of "the Fortune and Longevity of Sumeru: an Encounter between the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the Palace Museum," shows the cultural and historical significance of the Buddhism arts and heritage of the monastery.

A total of 280 pieces of cultural relics preserved in the museum and the monastery are displayed at the exhibition.

The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is one of the great religious sites of the Gelug sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism. This is the first time that relics from the monastery are exhibited at museums.

The exhibition also kicked off a series of events marking the 600th anniversary of the Forbidden City.