The Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture

On October 26th and 27th, 2010 The Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture and Gadan Thegchen Choling Monastery hosted the First International Conference on the Future of Mongolian Buddhism. The conference was hosted at Gandan Monastery in Ulan Bataar Mongolia. The purpose of the conference was to discuss the current state of Buddhist affairs in Mongolia and beyond. Eminent scholars, Buddhist teachers and civil society discussed the state of Buddhism in Mongolia and the impact of the re-emergence of Buddhist culture on contemporary Mongolian society.

The Conservancy sponsored the participation of numerous distinguished foreign guests including Mongolian scholars, Tibetan lamas and Himalayan Buddhists. The topics included:

· Buddhism in Mongolia: Past, Present and Future
· Buddhism and Mongolia’s Unique Cultural Heritage
· Mongolia’s role in the development and spread of Buddhism
· Encounters between Modernity and Traditional Mongolian Buddhist Culture
· Role of Buddhism in Contemporary Mongolian Society
· Social Engagement in Contemporary Mongolian Society
· Buddhism’s Encounter with Modern Science
· Buddhism and Protection of the Environment
· Buddhism and the Role of Women in Contemporary Mongolian
Society

Important Tibetan scholars such as His Holiness Gaden Tripa Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Gelek Rinpoche and others participated in panel discussions on topics relevant to 21st Century Buddhist culture. Participants stressed the need for continued discussion and collaboration amongst the followers of all Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

The also agreed that Buddhist monasteries should make more effort on behalf of the lay community through social welfare projects and the teaching of basic Buddhist thought.