Llamas visit Nippon Kan from Tibet
Four
Tibetan Buddhist monks came to visit Nippon Kan on March 6th, 2003. This particular group of monks had
been asked to visit the United States to participate in sand mandala painting demonstrations in a number
of American cities. Two of the monks were from Mongolia, now residing in Tibet where they are receiving
training Buddhist studies in temples there. While in the Denver area, the monks stopped by Nippon Kan
to offer thanks for contributions made by Nippon Kan for temple restoration in a small village outside
of Karokorum, Mongolia.
The
country of Mongolia struggled under Stalin’s communist rule from 1937 until 1991.
During that time in the capitol city of Ulaanbaatar alone, most of the 800 temples there
were destroyed and the monks worshipping there put to death. When the temples first began
to be systematically destroyed, many monks, especially in outlying regions took refuge
in the hills, taking with them sacred statues, prayer books and artifacts. Some of these
monks hid in surrounding mountains for decades even generations. Since the fall of Communism
in 1991 much has been done to restore the temples that were destroyed. With the support
of many foreign countries, Buddhism is making a comeback in Mongolia as the nation’s
primary religion, and restoration of the temples is in progress in Ulaanbaatar and some
of the other major cities. Restoration comes more slowly however to outlying regions. Some
temples however are being restored and many of the hidden sacred treasures have been returned
to temporary temple 
housing.
Of historical interest, by dating these outlying temples, migrations patterns for the spread
of Buddhism centuries ago from India to China ago can be established. For this reason,
plus the positive effect of living temples in the local communities, the restoration and
preservation of the outlying temples is invaluable. This outlying temple restoration has
been supported by Nippon Kan since the year 2000.
After
initial greetings were exchanged, the monks toured the Nippon Kan facility and museum,
and prayed at the Nippon Kan dojo altar for world peace. Not forgetting our manners, Homma
Sensei and Nippon Kan Mongolian staff members, prepared a Mongolian style dinner for the
monks and other leaders of the Denver Mongolian community in Nippon Kan’s ger (Mongolian
nomadic house).