25 August 2006
Dalai Lama visits Mongolia
(Tibetnet) The Dalai Lama visited Mongolia for a week-long visit, his seventh since 1979 and the first since 2002. He was received by official dignitaries, monks from Gadan Thekchen Ling monastery, and crowds of Mongolian people. He gave teachings, as requested by the Gandan Thekchen Ling Monastery which hosted the visit, and conferred ordination to 52 Buddhist Mongolian monks. Although the visit was said to be personal rather than political, the Dalai Lama also met with Prime Minister of Mongolia and a delegation from the Russian republic of Tuva, led by their President. The Tuvan delegation said that they are hoping for the Dalai lama to visit to their republic, something he said he planned to do in the future. Without mentioning Mongolia by name, the Chinese authorities issued a statement which said: "The Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure, but a political exile who over a lengthy period has engaged in splittist activities and hurt national unity. China is resolutely opposed to any country offering him a stage to engage in the above-mentioned activities". Foreign ministry officials in Mongolia stressed the visit had been organised by the Gadan Thekchen Ling monastery and not the government.