Mongolian Monks in Beijing to study Tibetan Buddhism November 14, 2017 Twelve Mongolian monks have been invited by the Buddhist Association of China to study Tibetan Buddhism at the Tibetan Buddhism College of China for a period of one year. Jampa Thinlay, a senior teacher at the College read out the welcome message from the Buddhist Association of China which stated that “the Buddhist communities of China and Mongolia enjoy a long-standing friendship and that there have been increasing exchanges in recent years. Organizing of this class builds a bridge for indepth and friendly exchanges between the two Buddhist communities.” Nergue Khaitso, Abbot of the Mongolian Monastery Sain Nomin, reiterated the “friendly and close bilateral relations” between Mongolia and China and said “training of the Mongolian monks will Page 3 of 17 encourage more young monks to study in China.” The twelve monks, two of whom are assistants, are to study Tibetan grammar, Tibetan calligraphy, Chinese language, basic theories of Buddhism, religious rituals, computing and other courses. They will also tour China. (Comment: The Buddhist Association of China has earlier invited Mongolian Buddhist representatives to attend the Fourth World Buddhist Forum and twice invited Mongolian Buddhists to visit China. In 2016 they were, in turn, invited to visit Mongolia. Also, on July 15, 2015, the Chinese appointed Panchen Lama had received a group of eight Mongolian Buddhists at the Xihuangsi Monastery in Beijing. The Dalai Lama’s visit to Mongolia impacted negatively on China-Mongolia relations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Mongolia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsend Munkh-Orgil by telephone after the Dalai Lama’s visit that China hoped Mongolia would “scrupulously abide by its promise” not to invite the Dalai Lama again. The Mongolian Minister was later quoted as saying Mongolia firmly supports the one China policy, consistently holds that Tibet is an in separable part of China, that the Tibet issue is China’s internal affair.”) [PDF]
