Unfortunate news, beloveds. I was not able to negotiate the bewildering chain of command at Gandan Monastery and by the time I got close to the right organizer, it was too late to get on the police security list to attend the Dalai Lama's ordination ceremonies today.
Too bad for me, but the wonderful news for Mongolia is that there are about 100 more monks who are upholding the 253 precepts of full ordination (Skt: Bhikkshu, Tib: Gelong). This will not only generate excellent karma for them personally and their family, but those others with whom they are connected, their country, and the world. I rejoice in the tremendous virtue that was generated in Mongolia today. I pray that they will guard these precepts as they would their own eyes. Theirs is a great historical opportunity to re-inspire the faith of the lay community and to provide outstanding examples for the monks around them and for future generations. With their ordination blessed by one as pure as the Dalai Lama, I feel confident that their practice will bear wonderful fruit.
One of those with the great fortune to take these precepts with His Holiness today was Geshe Erdenebat, affectionately known as Eggie. As regular readers may recall, he conducted the religious ceremonies at KPC Maryland for the Mongolian community during their New Year celebration known as Tsagaan Sar. He's a very devoted, well-trained monk and I predict he'll emerge as one of the leaders of his generation. I'm really proud of him.
In other news, check out spectacu-rific, near unbelievable final result of this year's Dulaan Project to generate hand-knit items for those in disadvantaged situations here in Mongolia. I really hope I'm here for the actual distribution in November, especially as I've gotten the eastern Gobi to be a new site. Ryan is the coolest cuzzin a monk coud have.
Too bad you could not make it in! But I'm glad police is keeping Dalai lama's security at high level!
Posted by: Vedran | August 25, 2006 at 03:48 PM