Friendship Medal for Phuntsog Wangyal
On June 8th 2009, the founding trustee of Tibet Foundation, Phuntsog Wangyal was awarded the Mongolian Friendship Medal by the Mongolian President N. Enkhbayar at the Presidential palace in Ulaanbaatar.
The citation reads:
“It is hereby resolved that the Honourable Mr Phuntsog Wangyal, who has made a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland, to restore the Mongolian traditional culture, custom and spiritual heritage, is bestowed with the “Friendship” Medal of Mongolia”.
While congratulating Phuntsog on this singular recognition and honour, everyone who is associated with the work of Tibet Foundation, past and present, can justly take pride and celebrate the recognition of their services and contributions towards the Foundation’s work in the revival and promotion of Buddhism and Buddhist education and culture in Mongolia. Without their commitment and sustained support, the Buddhism in Mongolia project could not have succeeded in making such a positive and meaningful impact in Mongolia as to be recognized with this prestigious Friendship Award. It’s also a challenge to continue to sustain the good work.
Phuntsog Wangyal, then the Assistant Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Achieves in Dharamsala, visited Mongolia in 1973 to establish cooperation between the Tibetan library in India and the state libraries in Mongolia—especially searching rare and special religious texts. The first hand experience of the prevailing situation and the network of contacts made during the visit gave inspiration for further cooperation to revive and develop the traditional religious and cultural relations between Tibetans and Mongolians.
As a follow-up to the visit, the first batch of Tibetan students from India were sent for general studies in Mongolia and a group of Mongolians came to India to study Buddhism. In 1979 HH the Dalai Lama visited Mongolia for the first time even though the country was still under the rule of Soviet Union and Buddhism was suppressed. As the plane was approaching Ulaanbaatar, His Holiness remarked that he could sense that it was going to be the start of the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia.
In 1985, Phuntsog established Tibet Foundation, London, a non-political charity organisation working to preserve Tibetan culture in general, and to provide healthcare, education and socio-economic support for people of Tibetan origin, both in and outside Tibet. One of its aims is to make available the thoughts and ideas of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spreading his message of peace and harmony.
In 1990 after the peaceful revolution in Mongolia, the idea of contributing to the revival and promotion of traditional Buddhist studies and culture in Mongolia was first broached. Phuntsog travelled to Mongolia in 1991 and saw how after decades of repression under Communism, people were making great efforts to renovate and rebuild monasteries and temples. Then His Holiness advised him that the Foundation should do what it can to help Mongolians. In 1993 Sue Byrne, a long time volunteer with Tibet Foundation, was requested by the Foundation's Trustees to visit Mongolia and develop a project to assist Mongolian Buddhists, both monastic and lay communities. The “Buddhism in Mongolia” programme was formally established under Sue Byrne’s able leadership as the Programme Manager. The programme was launched with an initial appeal for funds to send Mongolian monks to Tibetan monastic schools in India and to support Mongolia’s emerging communities of Buddhist nuns.
The Foundation's diverse portfolio of projects in Mongolia has since expanded to sixty four to date. Liaising with the Mongolian Department of Education as well as individual monasteries and nunneries, the Foundation assists in developing Buddhist curriculum, publication and free distribution of school textbooks as well as Tibetan Buddhist and medical texts; and sponsoring exchange programs of Tibetan and Mongolian scholars and students, research and publication of Mongolian, Tibetan, Sanskrit dictionaries, furnishing libraries, sponsorship of language studies in India, and many other projects.
The Foundation remains active in supporting Buddhist education. It has just completed publication and distribution of Buddhist textbooks for Mongolian secondary schools. A two-volume catalogue of Master Pieces of Mongolian Buddhist Art will be published shortly. Some 120 Mongolians are currently studying Buddhism in India under a 15-year Tibet Foundation scholarship.
Our challenge is to raise more funds that will allow Tibet Foundation to continue supporting existing projects and to develop important new ones being requested. Therefore, Phuntsog wishes to thank all our donors, named as well as anonymous, for their past support and requests everyone with an interest in and concern about the steady revival and development of Buddhism in Mongolia.
For a more informed picture of the work of Tibet Foundation in Mongolia see the DVD film Blue Scarf, the Revival of Buddhism in Mongolia by Gilles Blaize, narrated by Michael Wood. The 52min documentary tells the inside story of how Buddhist Mongolia suffered decline in the last century under Soviet rule and how its people are courageously making effort to restore their traditional Buddhist culture.
By T D Gonkatsang
Tibet Foundation Day 2009
Friday 11 September 2009, Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS
Good evening, everyone. On behalf of the Trustees, a very warm welcome to you all.
We’re delighted that you could join us today to celebrate the 24th Anniversary of Tibet Foundation. This is also the third and final event marking the 10th Anniversary of the Tibetan Peace Garden. This year the Trustees’ report will be somewhat shorter, hopefully … and the reception rather longer! A lot of information can be found on Tibet Foundation’s website and in our Newsletters. So today I will just focus on a few particular highlights.
The past year has been financially difficult for everyone and Tibet Foundation, like many other charities, has seen a distinct slowing down in its income. However, so far, this has not caused any serious problem to our ongoing activities. In fact, we’ve been able to complete some major undertakings and to give urgently needed support to certain other new projects.
As I think you already know, the Foundation aims to:
- promote the culture, religion & way of life of people of Tibetan origin;
- relieve poverty amongst Tibetan peoples;
- raise the standards of education and health care in Tibetan communities;
- preserve and support the continuity of Tibetan Buddhist culture, and create a greater awareness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of peace.
In furtherance of these objectives, we continue to run four main programmes: Tibetans in Exile, Aid to Tibet, Buddhism in Mongolia, and Art and Culture.
Tibetans in Exile – in India/Nepal
The Foundation gave urgently needed relief aid to the people of Bihar affected by devastating flooding in 2008. Bihar is the Indian state in which Bodhgaya is situated, where Lord Buddha reached enlightenment – and one of the holiest of places for all Buddhists alike.
For Tibetans it was, in a small way, an opportunity to show their gratitude to the people of India for the generosity and hospitality they’ve shown to thousands of Tibetan refugees living in their country since 1959. We were able to give the equivalent of approx. £10,000. We particularly thank all those who contributed to this appeal. A full report can be read in our last newsletter.
In Mundgod, south India, the Foundation offered 800,000 rupees (the equivalent of £10,000) to help to complete the building of a two-storey house to provide accommodation for the Beri monastic community. Given the current political situation these monks could well be the last to come from Tibet from this community.
We recently received sponsorship for about another 30 children at the Tibetan Homes Foundation in Mussoorie, north India. Our special thanks to all of you who responded so positively to our winter appeal.
Our work in India and Nepal still continues to be the most consistent and successful of Tibet Foundation’s programmes. In a year, on average, we send approx. £100,00 for a variety of projects, including hospitals and clinics, old people’s homes and performing arts institutes, but mainly for the education of some 1,000 Tibetans.
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Aid to Tibet
As we know, there was major unrest in Tibet in 2008. As a result, the situation still continues to be very tense, and the number of foreigners visiting Tibet or engaged in aid work has fallen dramatically. However, we are pleased to report that it has not affected our ongoing projects in the Foundation’s ‘Aid to Tibet’ programme. We continue to support the education of nearly 1,000 children, also to provide aid for the elderly and healthcare for the sick in the Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
In addition, during the visit of one of our trustees, Phuntsog Wangyal, in June this year, we made a commitment to support the painting of Buddhist Murals by 35 artists in the newly built assembly hall and debating chambers of Dhargye monastery. This is a one-year project, requiring a total of 90,000 Chinese Yuan (£9,000). So far 30,000 has been spent, and another 60,000 Chinese Yuan need to be given in the coming year.
Regarding Education: Gyalten School is one of the principal schools that the Foundation has been supporting in Tibet since 1992. Currently, 340 children are being educated there - 173 girls and 167 boys. Year after year its academic results have shown it to be one of the best primary schools in the area, receiving merit awards on several occasions. With support from local people and aid organisations like Tibet Foundation, the school has now completed the building of new hostels for boys and girls, new teachers’ quarters and improved classrooms. The Foundation continues to provide school meals for the children.
During a meeting in June with Gyalten Rinpoche, the founder of Gyalten School and head of Dhargye monastery, Phuntsog Wangyal learned that since 1998 more than 2,000 Tibetan children have completed their education begun at this school. 1,500 students, including 200 following vocational trainings, have either gone on to further studies or have successfully embarked on a career. A few have gone to universities in China or monastic institutes in India.
We consider this to be an example of how our support for education in Tibet has produced significant practical results in empowering Tibetans. Gyalten Rinpoche said, “Gyalten School and all the children and their parents are very grateful to all the supporters of Tibet Foundation who have continuously helped the school, given a real future for our children and brought happiness to all of us”.
Phuntsog Wangyal was given assurance by the authorities, some at ministerial level, that they indeed welcome the Foundation’s participation and contribution, and will themselves continue to give full cooperation.
We would like to encourage anyone, willing to offer support, to help with the education of Tibetans in Tibet. They need our help more than ever before. It would be so regrettable when we have such a golden opportunity to offer much-needed practical assistance, if we’re unable to do so because of a lack of funds. Please do think of the Tibetans in Tibet who have put so much hope in us in the West. We don’t want to let them down at this critical time.
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Buddhism in Mongolia
Tibet Foundation is one of a very few aid organisations in the West to have helped in the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia since 1992. At present the Foundation provides sponsorship for 91 Mongolian students studying a 15-year course in Tibetan monastic institutes in India. A number of those who were sent to India in the early nineties have already returned to play an important role in providing Buddhist education in their own country.
We recently completed a major project with the Mongolian government of the publication and distribution of Buddhist textbooks to all secondary schools. This is the first time in almost a century that schoolchildren in Mongolia can study Buddhism at school. Within just one year, the positive impact of improving Buddhist knowledge can already be seen, not only amongst the students but also their parents.
In a recent essay competition inviting comments from teachers using one of the textbooks, it’s evident that they are clearly of great benefit.
A teacher in Ulaanbaatar city wrote:
“What a great fortune it is to be born as a human. Every child should grow up learning about Buddhist moral education and the enormous treasure inherited from generation to generation. In our society, there are so many things affecting our behaviour. If we forget and ignore our culture and tradition we will be the same as a lost monkey in the forest”.
The feedback from many of these schoolteachers refers to the textbook as being “thoroughly written”, “easily understandable”, “covering all major aspects of Buddha’s teaching”. Several praised it, calling it “The Golden Book”.
Another significant project in cooperation with the Mongolian government is the publication of a catalogue of ‘Masterpieces of Mongolian Buddhist Arts’ from five major museums in Mongolia. Since the communist revolution some of the remaining artifacts have been kept in museums as exhibits without any identification, description or cataloguing. This project is now close to completion. Once published this will become one of the world’s major sources of knowledge of Mongolian Buddhist arts, clearly described and identified with all names written in Mongolian, Tibetan, English and Chinese.
Tibet Foundation has helped many Mongolian Buddhists, both individuals and organisations, to revive their tradition and to re-open their monasteries which were destroyed during the Soviet Regime. One of the finest examples is the Sakya Pandita Dharma Chakra monastery now under construction with support and encouragement from the Foundation. During a recent visit to Mongolia, His Holiness Sakya Trizin blessed the ground of the monastery. In an interview, he compared the Foundation’s work in re-establishing Buddhism in Mongolia with that of Sakya Pandita when first introducing Buddhism to Mongolia.
The Mongolian government and its people are truly appreciative of the help they’ve received. On 8th June The President awarded Phuntsog Wangyal with the ‘Friendship Medal of Mongolia’ for "making a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and Great Britain to restore Mongolian traditional culture, customs and spiritual heritage.” Those of you who’ve contributed to this programme can also feel very much included in this acknowledgement.
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Art and Culture
Through our ‘Art and Culture’ programme we’re able to contribute to increasing awareness of Tibetan culture, and to generate support for our other overseas projects.
Various events have taken place too numerous to mention here. But just to highlight one of special significance. This year major renovation work of the Tibetan Peace Garden has been undertaken. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, His Holiness the Dalai Lama reaffirmed his support saying that the Tibetan Peace Garden has “both a practical and symbolic value”. His Holiness continued, “All of us wish to live in peace. The Tibetan Peace Garden is a symbol to remind us that human survival depends on living in harmony and always choosing the path of non-violence in resolving our differences”.
We hope that our events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Garden have raised further awareness amongst the general public of His Holiness’message of peace. If you have not yet visited, do go to the Garden to spend some quiet time and reflect on His Holiness’ message carved on the Language Pillar. It is indeed a remarkable sanctuary, next to the Imperial War Museum, amidst this very busy city.
Newsletter
The Tibet Foundation Newsletter is published quarterly. There you’ll find more details of topics mentioned here, including reports of how our projects overseas are being monitored.
Funding
Tibet Foundation is a Trust, not based on membership. However, the charity enjoys continued support from many committed sponsors and subscribers. Individual and sometimes anonymous donations are indeed our main source of income.
Tibet Day is being held earlier than usual this year so, unfortunately, we have to wait a while longer before we can present the charity’s final, financial figures. Our accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2009 are currently with our Auditor. Once completed our audited account will be published in the Newsletter.
Appointment of another Trustee
Before we look ahead to next year, we’d like to announce some good news that happened just recently. We’re delighted that Tsering Dhundup has agreed to become a Trustee of Tibet Foundation. Many of you know Tsering la. He has been connected with the Foundation for many years, contributing in all sorts of ways and especially to the Newsletter. He brings unique experience, understanding and a wide knowledge of Tibet, its people and culture. Tsering la will be a great asset to the Board.
Looking forward to 2010
The coming year, 2010, will mark the 25th anniversary of Tibet Foundation. We hope to organise a wonderful celebration, including the publishing of a textbook on Buddhism in Tibetan language for Tibetan children and a book on Tibetan Medicine. There will also be visits to the UK of some of the most prominent Tibetan Lamas. We are very pleased to announce that His Holiness Sakya Trizin has kindly agreed to be present at the time of the celebration in June. He will give a public talk and Buddhist teachings. We are also delighted that His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa will be paying his first ever visit to Europe next year and will come and bless the Tibetan Peace Garden.
For this anniversary we’d also like to reflect on what the Foundation has achieved in 25 years and to hear what our supporters think of our work. Please kindly send us your comments, positive or otherwise.
Conclusion/Acknowledgements
We’re very pleased that Tibet Foundation’s work has been, and continues to be, much appreciated by the people, the community leaders and the government officials involved – its support is clearly bringing great benefit to the Tibetan people and to Buddhist culture.
The Board of Trustees would especially like to acknowledge and credit these achievements to:
- all Tibet Foundation's supporters for their continuing generosity
- its partners for their invaluable cooperation, and
- its staff and volunteers for their extraordinary hard work, commitment and dedication.
As you know, our charity does not receive any government funding, but depends solely on donations from supporters. Any donation, however small or large, especially if given on a regular basis, makes such a big difference. Just fourteen pence pays for a decent meal for a schoolchild in Tibet, £15 per month pays for a student in India to study in a boarding school. Tibetans abroad are so appreciative of the help they receive from people like you and me. The Foundation is tremendously grateful for those who have helped and especially those who are leaving legacies in their wills in favour of Tibet Foundation.
Without your interest and ongoing support none of this would be possible. So, finally, on behalf of my fellow trustees, I would like to express our sincerest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to you all.
Wisdom Textbook Project
Following is a report by Dr. Phuntsok Tsering, the Tibet Foundation representative in Mongolia and Prof. Sh. Choimaa, author and member of editors of Wisdom Book, and the head of Buddhist Cultural Studies, National State University, Mongolia
General background
Mongolia, under communist regime for more than 80 years, suffered not only the destruction of Buddhism but also its related culture and tradition. The most important loss, which cannot be restored easily, are the spiritual values cultivated with Buddhism for centuries in Mongolia.
On an official visit to the UK, Mr. Tsanjid, the education minister of Mongolia (2000-2004) met with Tibet Foundation trustees and requested their help in producing moral education textbooks for secondary schools in Mongolia. The board of trustees took this matter seriously and discussed the matter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his council of religion and education. His Holiness personally recommended Prof. Jedrung Tenzin, one of the best known Tibetan scholars with the experience of working with students and compiling such textbooks to advise and help with the project.
Mr. Phuntsog Wangyal, the Foundation trustee in charge of aid projects came to Mongolia and officially signed the agreement of cooperation with the Mongolia Ministry of Education. For the sole purpose of this project Mr. Wangyal came to Mongolia eight times and Prof. Jedrung Tenzin four times and spent months working with Mongolian scholars and experts on the textbook. Once the draft in Mongolian with a Tibetan translation was completed a team of Mongolian authors and scholars led by then the deputy education minister Prof. Tumur Ochir went to India. After a thorough revision of the draft with other Tibetan scholars and Phuntsog Wangyal, they had an audience with His Holiness and received his blessing.
Wisdom Textbooks
It is the first time such text books in modern Mongolian language have been written and edited by well-known Mongolian scholars and teachers working closely with Tibetan scholars. It is also the first time ever such textbooks based on moral education have been introduced to secondary schools in Mongolia. This project is a joint cooperation between the Mongolian ministry of education with Prof.Tumur Ochir as the head of the project and the British charity Tibet Foundation with Phuntsog Wangyal as chief coordinator of financing the project.
The Wisdom Textbooks consists of three volumes:
Volume I, Mongolian traditional ethics is designed for classes 1 to 5.
Volume II, Understanding mind for a healthy living is designed for classes 6 to 9.
Volume III, Foundation of Buddhist wisdom is designed for classes 10 and 12.
In 2008, 75,000 copies of the textbooks were printed and distributed to some 650 schools throughout Mongolia. Currently, they are used as teaching material as a part of Social Science and Civic subjects. In the future the ministry of education is planning to introduce it as an independent subject. As a part of the agreement between the Mongolian education ministry and Tibet Foundation, a teachers training programme is being conducted during the summer vacation. The work on the teacher’s handbooks (manual) is in progress and near completion.
Assessment of the Textbooks
As a part of an assessment of the books, an essay competition was held amongst the secondary school teachers in the summer of 2009. Some 2,000 teachers from three major cities and various districts in the country participated in the essay competition. On 7th June 2009, the results of the competition were announced and prizes were awarded by Prof. Tumur Ochir, the former deputy education minister and Phuntsog Wangyal, a trustee of Tibet Foundation.
The first 10 winners of the competition gave short speeches at the gathering to share their experience of the textbooks and the books impact on the morale of students. The overall impression was outstanding and extremely positive. A teacher said that within just a few months of its introduction the Wisdom Textbook has become one of the favourite subjects amongst many of her students. Another teacher said that after studying the textbook a naughty student generally known to behave badly in the school approached her asking that he would like to be trained to become a good person, even perhaps to become a monk. Another teacher called the text a “golden book” turning students from bad to good behaviour.
Many parents and guardians of the students welcomed the book and expressed their wishes that the time allocated to teaching Wisdom Textbooks be extended. Many expressed their gratitude to Tibet Foundation and to those who worked tirelessly on the textbooks for their generosity and hard work. There is already a growing demand for the Wisdom Textbooks from libraries, academic institutes and even from ordinary individuals. Requests were also made to put the three volumes of Wisdom Textbooks on websites for others to freely download them. Other suggestions include that the textbooks are reviewed after five years.
The State Award
Tibet Foundation is the longest serving Tibetan non-government organisation helping the Mongolian people in the revival of their Buddhist culture. Its founder, Phuntsog Wangyal, first established contact with Mongolia as early as 1974, when, after founding the charity, Tibet Foundation established a special programme to help the Mongolian people in their effort to revive Buddhism and their traditional cultural heritage.
Tibet Foundation has contributed to a wide range of activities in the revival of Buddhism; creating awareness of Mongolian cultural heritage in the west, translation and publication of Buddhist art, culture and religion, and introduction of Buddhist subjects in the Mongolian education system.
On 8th June 2009 the Mongolian President His Excellency Mr. Enhbayar conferred Mr. Phuntsog Wangyal, the founder and trustee of Tibet Foundation with the “Friendship Medal of Mongolia”, one of the highest state award for foreigners for his “significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and the United Kingdom…. to restore the Mongolian traditional culture, customs and spiritual heritage.” On receiving the award, Mr. Wangyal said that he was greatly honoured and that it was his pleasure to accept the award on behalf of all those who have supported the Foundation as generous donors, committed volunteers and dedicated staff.
The Mongolian people would like to express their gratitude to the Foundation and their supporters and wish great success in all their noble works. To sustain the progress already made we wish all supporters and well-wishers to continue their cooperation with the Foundation.
Mongolia 1st October 2009