Prospects and Challenges in Tibet-Mongolia relations since the 20th century, and the path forward
The Tibet-Mongol Relations Conference held from April 1-2 at LTWA conference hall aimed to highlight the changes in Tibet-Mongol relations from the 20th century and prospects for future development. At a time when China’s false narratives threaten to erase Tibet’s history, it becomes imperative for Tibetans to reclaim their narrative and provide the veracity of historical ties and statehood of Tibet. The conference was organized by the Diluv Hutugthu Foundation, Mongolia, in collaboration with the Tibet Policy Institute and Tibet Culture and Information Center, Moscow that brought together a range of experts, officials, and participants to explore the past, present, and future of Tibet-Mongol relations.
The w
elcome address at the inaugural session of the conference was given by Mr. Dawa Tsering, Director of Tibet Policy Institute (TPI). He highlighted the historical significance of Tibet-Mongolia relations, particularly in the context of Buddhism, foreseeing a future where the revival of Buddhism could further strengthen ties between the two nations. Telo Tulku Rinpoche, the Honorary Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Mongolia, Russia, and CIS countries, Geshe Lharampa Dr. Rongpo Lobsang Nyandak, Deputy Chief Editor at the Centre for Compilation and Editing of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Writings and Discourse, Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, India, Geshe Lharampa Tsultrim Gyamtso, Lecturer on Buddhist Philosophy, Gomang Dratsang, Drepong Monastery, Karnataka, India. Bold Ravdan spoke on Tseden Lobsan Khechuk Mystery Lama from Tibet. Telo Tulku Rinpoche spoke on The History of Prominent Mongolian Lamas in Sera Je Monastery and the Current State of Mongolian Monks at the Monastery, Geshe Lharampa Tsultrim Gyamtso spoke on Mongolian Buddhist students at the Drepong Gomang Monastery since 1979. Geshe Lharampa Dr. Rongpo Lobsang Nyandak spoke on The History of Prominent Mongolian Lamas in Sera Je Monastery and the Current State of Mongolian Monks at the Monastery.
Conference held from April 1-2 at LTWA conference hall aimed to highlight the changes in Tibet-Mongol relations from the 20th century and prospects for future development. At a time when China’s false narratives threaten to erase Tibet’s history, it becomes imperative for Tibetans to reclaim their narrative and provide the veracity of historical ties and statehood of Tibet. The conference was organized by the Diluv Hutugthu Foundation, Mongolia, in collaboration with the Tibet Policy Institute and Tibet Culture and Information Center, Moscow that brought together a range of experts, officials, and participants to explore the past, present, and future of Tibet-Mongol relations.
The welcome address at the inaugural session of the conference was given by Mr. Dawa Tsering, Director of Tibet Policy Institute (TPI). He highlighted the historical significance of Tibet-Mongolia relations, particularly in the context of Buddhism, foreseeing a future where the revival of Buddhism could further strengthen ties between the two nations. Telo Tulku Rinpoche, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Mongolia, Russia, and CIS countries, gave the opening remarks. He shared his personal reflections on understanding the complexities of Mongolian society and expressed optimism about the conference’s potential to foster stronger Tibetan-Mongolian relations. The inaugural session was hosted by Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, the Deputy Director of Tibet Policy Institute.
On t
he first panel discussion chaired by Dr. Tenzin Desal, Senior Fellow at TPI warmly welcomed the speakers, Professor Batbayar Tsedendamba, Principal Researcher at the Insitute of History and Ethnology at Mongolian Academy of Science in Mongolia, Professor Batsaikhan Ookhnoi, Institute of International Studies at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Professor Jampa Samten, scholar in Tibetan History and Culture at Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. Prof. Tsedendamba spoke on Mongolia and Tibet in 1900-1913: From Qing Dynasty Control to Independence. Professor Batsaikhan Ookhnoi spoke on The Declaration of Mongolia’s Independence in 1911 by the 8th Bogd Jebtsun Damba and Professor Dr. Jampa Samten spoke on the 13th Dalai Lama’s Attempt to Gain Recognition of Tibet’s Independent Political Status & the Significance of the Water-Ox (1913) Ordination that Explicitly Validates Tibet’s Independent Political Status.
On the second panel discussion chaired by Dr. Tsewang Dorjee, Research Fellow at TPI included four speakers including Bold Ravdan, Ambassador, Telo Tulku Rinpoche, Honorary Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Mongolia, Russia, and CIS countries, Geshe Lharampa Dr. Rongpo Lobsang Nyandak, Deputy Chief Editor at the Centre for
Compilation and Editing of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Writings and Discourse, Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, India, Geshe Lharampa Tsultrim Gyamtso, Lecturer on Buddhist Philosophy, Gomang Dratsang, Drepong Monastery, Karnataka, India. Bold Ravdan spoke on Tseden Lobsan Khechuk Mystery Lama from Tibet. Telo Tulku Rinpoche spoke on The History of Prominent Mongolian Lamas in Sera Je Monastery and the Current State of Mongolian Monks at the Monastery, Geshe Lharampa Tsultrim Gyamtso spoke on Mongolian Buddhist students at the Drepong Gomang Monastery since 1979. Geshe Lharampa Dr. Rongpo Lobsang Nyandak spoke on The History of Prominent Mongolian Lamas in Sera Je Monastery and the Current State of Mongolian Monks at the Monastery.
On day two of the third panel discussion chaired by Dr. Tenzin Lhadon, Research Fellow at TPI introduced speakers including Professor Batbayar Tsedendambyn, Director General of the Department of Policy Planning and Policy Analysis Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Econ
omic Cooperation of Mongolia, Lkhagyademchig Jadamba (Ph.D.), Faculty Member, Anthropology and Archaeology Department, the National University of Mongolia, Professor, Dr. Bat-Ireedui Jantsan, Director of Institute of Language and Literature, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Professor Batbayar Tsedendambyn spoke on the Mongolian People’s Government’s steps to establish official relations with Tibet: Duke Gombo-Idshin and his mission to Tibet (September 1926-August 1928). Lkhagyademchig Jadamba (Ph.D.) spoke on the Significance of H.H. the Dalai Lama’s visits to Mongolia: in 1979 and 2016. Professor, Dr. Bat-Ireedui Jantsan spoke on the traditions and contemporary issues of Tibetan Literary Studies at the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
The fourth and final panel discussion was chaired by Tsering Samdup, a Research Fellow at TPI introduced three speakers including Khenpo Tri Gyurmey Dorjee, Lecturer on Buddhist Philosophy, Dolma Ling Nunnery, Dharamshala, India, Dr. Nyenthar, Assistant Professor on Tibetan History and Research Methodology, Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, Bangalore, India. Dorjee Rinchen, Researcher on Tibetan Studies and Tibetan language teacher, Sambhota Tibetan School. Khenpo Tri Gyurmey Dorjee spoke on The Revival of the Golden relationship between the Sakya Monastic Institution and the Mongolian community. Dr. Nyenthar spoke about Three Great Mongolian (Tibetan) Scholars in the Modern History of Tibet. Dorjee Rinchen spoke on the continued influence of the Gadan Phodrang government in the Jachung Monastery of Amdo to this day.
In the concluding session, Telo Tulku Rinpoche expressed his joy and sense of achievement with the conference’s outcomes, foreseeing a brighter future for Tibet-Mongol relations. TPI director Dawa Tsering emphasized that while the conference may have ended, the real work of strengthening ties between Tibet and Mongol begins now. Sikyong Penpa Tsering reiterated the importance of Tibetans reclaiming their history to counter China’s false narratives and reaffirm Tib
et’s historical independence.
The conference concluded with a sense of hope and renewed commitment towards collaborative efforts between Tibet and Mongol, reflecting a shared determination to preserve their shared heritage and strengthen bilateral relations in the face of adversity. Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, the Deputy Director expressed vote of thanks to all the speakers and participants for their insightful engagements and important discussion. The closing session was hosted by Dechen Palmo, research fellow at the TPI