His Holiness arrived at Ulan Bator airport via Japan on Monday (21 August) night where he was received by official dignitaries, monks of Gadan Thekchen Ling Monastery, and the people of Mongolia.

From 23 to 28 August the Dalai Lama gave teachings as requested by the Gandan Thekchen Ling Monastery which hosted his visit to the country.

On the morning of 24 August, His Holiness met the Prime Minister of Mongolia, who expressed great delight at the visit. He said that he was pleased to welcome His Holiness to Mongolia this year as it coincide with commemoration of the 800th anniversary of Genghis Khan’s rule.

During his stay, the Dalai Lama met a delegation of over 200 people from Tuva led by their President. The Tuvan delegation said that they are hoping for His Holiness to visit to their republic and in response His Holiness said that he believes he will visit Tuva in the future. His Holiness previously visited Tuva in 1992.

His Holiness conferred Bhikshuka ordination to 52 Buddhist Mongolian monks during this visit.

The Dalai Lama also gave a public talk at Ulan Bator’s main stadium and stressed the importance of modern education and preserving traditional religious values. His Holiness said inner peace could be achieved only by thinking positively and practicing religion. Material development cannot give us eternal peace, he said.