On 3 July 2003 Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd Member Julie O’Donnell commenced a 3 week goodwill visit to Mongolia.
During her stay, Julie visited Most Venerable Choijamts, Khamba Lama of WFB Regional Centre Gandantegchenling Khiid, otherwise known as Gandan Monastery. The building of Gandan started in 1838 by the fourth Bogd Gegen and was finished by the fifth Bogd Gegen, Chultem Jigmid Dambijantsan.
The Monastery contains several temples including the Ochirdary Sum and the Golden Dedenpovaran Sum. A 25m high, 20 ton statue of Migjid Janraisig (Chenrezig) made from copper and gilded with gold and covered in gold brocade and over 500m of silk stands opposite the main entrance of the Temple.
The statue contains precious stones, 27 tonnes of medicinal herbs, 334 sutras, two million bundles of mantras and in the base, a ger and furniture.
Gandan has a Buddhist University established in 1970 by the Mongolian and Russian Abbots, S. Gombojav and Gomboev Jambaldorj. The University was officially named Undur Gegeen Zanabazar Buddhist University by the Mongolian Government in 1995.
Julie attended chanting at the Monastery nearly every day and offered Most Venerable Choijamts a disk of the last two years issues of our publications, Buddha Dhyana Dana Review and the Brooking Street Bugle as well as some photographs and a blessing scarf. Most Venerable Choijamts gave a special sutra and a blessing scarf for John D. Hughes.
Julie visited Venerable Natsagdorjiin Gantumur, Head of the Mongolian Women’s Buyany Tugs Bayasgalant Centre. On behalf of John and Anita Hughes, Julie offered a disk of the last two years issues of the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review and Brooking Street Bugle, a hard copy of the BDDR, photographs, a tiara, perfume and other offerings.
Venerable Natsagdorjiin Guntumur remembered a visit made previously by a delegation from our Centre by Jocelyn Hughes and Vanessa Macleod.
The Centre now has a newly constructed Temple with many rare Buddhist images and sutras. There are approximately 25 Nuns in residence and some of them attend the Undur Gegeen Zanabazar Buddhist University at Gandan Monastery where they are able to study for a Bachelors and Masters Degree. The subjects include Buddhist Philosophy, the Tibetan and Sanskrit languages, traditional medicine and astrology.
Julie visited Venerable Natsagdorjiin Gantumur and attended chanting nearly every day during her stay. Venerable Natsagdorjiin took Julie to meet her 92 year old teacher Gurdavaa Rinpoche.
Venerable Natsagdorjiin Gantumur was so kind to Julie during her stay. She taught Buddha Dhamma, held special puja ceremonies and invited her to lunch at the Temple every day.
Venerable Natsagdorjiin Gantumur offered a special wealth generating image, mantra beads and blessing scarf for John D. Hughes and wished him long life and good health.
Julie also visited WFB Regional Centre Dashchoiling and on behalf of John and Anita Hughes, offered a disk of BDDR and BSB, some blessing scarves, incense and other offerings to WFB Vice President, Khamba Lama Venerable Dambajav.
The East Monastery College at Dashchoiling Monastery was established in 1998. Some of the subjects studied at the College include Buddhist Philosophy, reciting Sutras, religious sects, Lamrim Teaching to Enlightenment, Buddhist Psychology, History of Mongolian Religion, Mongolian History, The World’s Religious History, Tibetan Grammar, Theory of Translation, Theory of Poetry, Legislation, English, Mongolian Customs, Theory of Economy and Computer Programming.
Julie met with Davaa, head of Urgun Khiid near Khogno Khan Uul and arranged transportation to Urgun Khiid from Ulanbaator for Davaa and a nun from the Mongolian Women’s Buyany Tugs Bayasgalant Centre.
Urgun Khiid was built in 1660 after the existing Monastery was destroyed in 1640. The Monastery was reopened in 1992 and there are a few Monks from Ulanbaatar, including Lama Undrakh.
Julie offered a disk of BDDR and BSB, blessing scarf and other offerings to Davaa on behalf of John and Anita Hughes and stayed at the Temple.
Other Temples visited include the Bakula Rinpoche Temple, Otochmaaramba Khiid andDambadarjaa Khiid. The Monastery-Museum of Choijiin Lama, originally the home of Luvsan Haidav Choijiin Lama was constructed in 1904. There are five Temples within the grounds. The Maharaja Sum, the main Temple, the Zuu Sum dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha, the Yadam Sum and Amgalan Sum.
The Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan was built between 1893 and 1903. The Winter Palace of Bogd Khan is where Mongolia’s last king, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt V111 lived for 20 years. There are six temples in the grounds.
Julie would like to thank all the Most Venerable Sangha Members, lay persons and friends at Mongolia who made her visit a great success.
May the Buddha Dhamma continue to flourish in Mongolia.
May we visit Mongolia again in the future.
May all beings be well and happy.
References:
Bradley Mayhew, “Lonely Planet Mongolia”, publisher, Lonely Planet Publications Pty. Ltd. 90 Maribymong St, Footscray, Victoria, 3011, Australia.
Julie O'Donnell prior to her visit to Mongolia
The Venerable Master John D. Hughes and his wife Anita M. Hughes prior to Julie's visit to Mongolia