Gaden Relief Launches Mongolia Project
December
6, 2003 – Gaden Relief Projects has started a new project
to support the resurgence of buddhism in Mongolia.
Fifteen
years after the fall of communism in Mongolia and the end
of Soviet influence in Mongolia's affairs, buddhism is reappearing
as Mongolians rediscover a religious heritage lost since
1937 when the communists banned religion, jailed monks,
and destroyed monasteries.
Slowly
monasteries are being rebuilt and Mongolia's youth are joining
them to study the tantric style of Mahayana buddhism that
is practiced in Tibet. Elderly monks and lamas from the
1930s are back in the monasteries teaching boys and young
men, the way that it had been done for centuries before
the communist take over.
Amarbayasgalant
Monastery near Ulan Bator, Mongolia |
Religious
and political ties between Mongolia and Tibet go back centuries.
Tibetans and Mongolians recognize the Dalai Lama as the
highest spiritual authority. It was a Mongol king in the
16th century who is thought to have given the first Dalai
Lama the 'Dalai' title meaning "Ocean of Wisdom."
Following
a visit to Mongolia in July by Gaden Relief's spiritual
director, the Venerable Zasep Rinpoche, a decision to start
a new project to support the reestablishment of buddhism
in Mongolia was taken. A teleconference was convened on
Dec. 5 to form the inaugural committee that will launch
the project. Matthew Richards who accompanied Zasep Rinpoche
to Mongolia will be the project coordinator. Other members
of the committee are: Lisa Farnsworth of Indiana University,
Martha Foster of the University of Idaho, Chuck Damov, former
president of Zuru Ling Buddhist centre in Vancouver, Andzrej
Wrotek of Toronto, and Zasep Rinpoche. Evan Zaleschuk, coordinator
of Gaden Relief's Zadoh Project, and Conrad Richter, coordinator
of Gaden Relief, will provide support to the committee as
it gets established.
Initially
the Mongolia Project committee will focus on Amarbayasgalant
Monastery, a five hour drive from Mongolia's capital, Ulan
Bator. The monastery is already receiving financial support
from Taiwan and Switzerland and many of the buildings have
been rebuilt. But the 60 monks, mostly in their 20s and
as young as 7 years old, have very limited resources to
support their studies. There is no running water in the
monastery, for example, and the monks have to collect water
from a stream two kilometres away. The construction of a
water pipe or a well will be one of the first items the
Mongolia Project committee will tackle. A shipment of warm
clothing and sleeping bags is already in the works for the
Amarbayasgalant monks, from Gaden Relief supporter Ben Christian
in Australia.
More
project details will be posted on this website in the coming
months. Donations will soon be accepted in support for the
Mongolia Project. Like all Gaden Relief projects, donations
to the Mongolia Project will qualify for Canadian tax receipts.
To
read Zasep Rinpoche's Oct. 2003 fact finding mission report
on Amarbayasgalant Monastery and Mongolia, click here.
For
pictures and more details about the Mongolia project, click
here.
Return
to Mongolia Project Home Page
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