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Friday, June 04, 2004
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As you are probably aware June 3, the day of the full moon, was also Saga Dawa on the Tibeto-Mongolian calendar. This is the day on which the Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment, and Paranirvana are celebrated. For more information see Saga Dawa.
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Janraisig Temple at Gandan
Several thousand people turned up at Gandan Monastery in Ulaan Baatar, certainly the biggest crowd I have ever seen there. The Prime Minister, the head of Gandan Monastery, Lama Zopa, the head of the world-wide Buddhist organization FPMT, and hosts of other dignitaries were present.
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/11.jpg)
Dignitaries speechifying
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Scale model of a new 40 foot high statue planned for a hilltop near Gandan
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Close-up the proposed statue. This will be the new highlight of the UB skyline.
Of course no event in Mongolia is complete without a contortionist:
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/26.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/27.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/28.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/4.jpg)
In Mongolia as elsewhere it isn’t over until the abundantly endowed lady sings . . . Lama Zopa, middle, in the background, looks especially pleased with the view.
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/32.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/42.jpg)
Several thousand people turned up at Gandan Monastery in Ulaan Baatar, certainly the biggest crowd I have ever seen there. The Prime Minister, the head of Gandan Monastery, Lama Zopa, the head of the world-wide Buddhist organization FPMT, and hosts of other dignitaries were present.
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/11.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/04.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/05.jpg)
Of course no event in Mongolia is complete without a contortionist:
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/26.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/27.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/28.jpg)
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/4.jpg)
In Mongolia as elsewhere it isn’t over until the abundantly endowed lady sings . . . Lama Zopa, middle, in the background, looks especially pleased with the view.
![](http://www.doncroner.com/Blog/32.jpg)