MONGOLIAN

CULTURAL EVENTS

 

      Come at the Oglethorpe University Auditorium, Sunday February 12, 2006 to celebrate the installation of the first honorary consul of Mongolia: Dr. John Endicott, renown scholar in the fields of Asian studies and International relations.

        The program will be presented by the most acclaimed and talented specialist of Asian arts in Atlanta, Dr. Lloyd Nick, Director of the Oglethorpe University Museum.

        The ceremony will be followed by presentation of art, dances and music from Mongolia.

 

7:30, Feb, 14, at Oglethorpe University Museum of Art

 

Lama Baasan Dorligjav will lecture on Mongolia 's Velvet revolution.  He was part of 13 who overthrew Communist rule in Mongolia in 1989.

This famous lama just arrived yesterday for the exhibition opening of “Portals to Shangri-la; Masterpieces of Mongolian Buddhism” and this lecture.

Text Box: Lama Baasan Dorligjav

Born Sept 2, 1955

Monk in Gandan Tegchingling Monastery,

Zepel Choijin Lama Templein Gesar Complex, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

 

Lama Baasan Dorligjav became a monk in 1974 at Gandan Monastery at the age of 19. Five years later he became Head Chant Master. He served in that capacity from 1979 until 1989.

 

In 1989 Lama Baasan Dorligjav and 12 lay people co-founded the Mongolian Democratic Association, which was designed to achieve Mongolian democratization and the overthrow of Communism. He was the only monk in this famous “Group of Thirteen.”  They wrote a declaration of  independence from Communism. The document was entrusted into his care with a vow of secrecy on pain of death, and he kept it carefully hidden a Guhyasamaja Tantra scripture. President Bush mentioned personally Baasan Lama’s heroism on his recent Mongolian visit, referring to Venerable’s public fast during the crucial days of the overthrow.

 

In 1989 he became the head lama of Zepal Choijin Lana Temple Complex at Ganden (one of Gandan’s 11 Dratsangs), a role he continues to fulfill.

 

From 1994 to 1996 he helped rebuild Damdol Tegchenling Temple, for the Mongolian Padma Sambhava lineages.

 

Between 1996-1999 he served as a chairman of the Mongolian Buddhist Association. After that he returned to his position as the head lama of Zepel Choijin Lama Temple in Ganden.

 

He has traveled extensively throughout Asia, including, India, Nepal, Singapore, Malasia, Japan and Korea. Last year he taught in Moscow and Russian Mongolia.