Venerable Rinpoche met with children who are getting sponsorship from Ireland as well as hot meals and other aid from Asral Charity. He spoke individually to each child and asked about their health, studies and family situation and offered support to those needing immediate assistance with their health and education. Ven. Rinpoche said prayers for them and offered them clothes which were donated by his students in Ireland.
Ven. Rinpoche gave an audience with many of his students and offered them advice and prayers. Many invited him to their homes for blessings.
At the weekend Ven. Rinpoche gave Dharma teachings at the Kunchab Jampaling Asral Centre. He taught about the fundamental teachings of the Buddha and placed emphasis on ethical discipline in daily life and activities. He taught on how to cultivate love and compassion, explained the practices of taking refuge and the four immeasurables (equanimity, love, compassion and joy). A question and answer session followed the conclusion of the teachings.
Ven. Rinpoche was invited to the local health centre in District 9. It is in the shanty area of Ulaanbaatar. He was received by Dr Burmaa, her staff, patients and local people. Asral Charity has worked with the Centre for many years to improve and promote health and safety. Asral Charity has hosted may presentations and workshops on the importance of living a healthy and hygienic life. Ven. Rinpoche requested that they continue promoting and educating the local people and he will continue to support the clinic and the poorer members of the community.
Dr Burmaa gave a brief presentation on Asral Charity’s support over the years. Ven. Rinpoche is aware that they have financial difficulties. Government funding barely covers the daily expenses and of the clinic and the salaries of the staff. Out of the 7,960 people living in the district, 700 of them are in very poor health and living in extreme poverty. The most common sicknesses are cancer and epilepsy. Many also are physically disabled.
The local hospital works with government social workers by helping those most in need. Asral Charity has been involved for many years with the local clinic and has provided funding for the renovation of the clinic, the purchase of medical equipment and medicine, and for the promotion of health and hygiene.
Last year Dr Burmaa requested an electrocardiograph (ECG) machine. Thanks to an Irish Charity Shop in Clonakilty, County Cork, an ECG machine was purchased. Almost 40% of the patients at health centre suffers from stroke and cardio related illnesses. On behalf of the health centre Dr Burmaa thanked Asral Charity for their continued cooperation and support. We would like to thank the Children’s Charity in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland, for their kind donation which enabled the purchase the ECG machine.
To the poorer patients in the hospital Ven. Rinpoche dispensed vitamin C and D tablets that were donated from Ireland. He visited two patients living in extreme poverty and provided them with vitamins, medicine and clothing.
Ven. Rinpoche visited Ganden Monastery and other surrounding monasteries. He was greeted by the Abbot of the Kunga Choling Monastery. Ven Rinpoche gave blessings to many people during his visit.
Ven. Rinpoche visited Ondorshil village, which is 350 kilometres from Ulaanbaatar city, in the Gobi region of Mongolia. He was received by the local governor and representatives of the local government, as well as people of the village and the staff of MIM (Made in Mongolia), all of whom waved scarves and made traditional offerings.
Asral Charity has supported this impoverished village for many years. It built a maternity wing for the hospital with support from ElectricAid Ireland and helped to prevent pregnant women from getting infections. Asral Charity set up a language lab in the local school that enabled 130 children to receive English classes. With support from the Irish and Dutch Governments, a well and water purification system, the first of its kind in Mongolia, were built. These had a major impact on the overall health of the community. Over 250 families in the village are now benefiting from clean, filtered water.
After a short rest in the evening Ven. Rinpoche met with the district governor and other officials. The local governor expressed his appreciation for all the work that Ven. Rinpoche has done and thanked him on behalf of the people of the village. Ven. Rinpoche gave a brief history of his humanitarian work in Ondorshil over the past 20 years.
This year we are planning to renovate the MIM building in Ondorshil with funding kindly received from Gail Kaminishi from the USA so that the MIM workers have a warm and comfortable working environment. Ven. Rinpoche asked the local Government for assistance. They offered to oversee the project and to provide assistance in getting a concession for the heating facility of the MIM building. Ven. Rinpoche thanked the local governor and the local council members to for their offer to support the project. Afterward Ven. Rinpoche gave a Dharma teaching and offered advice on living a meaningful and healthy life. Asral’s Director, Burmaa, thanked the local people’s representatives for their many years of collaboration with Asral in supporting the poor in Ondorshil. Ven. Rinpoche said prayers and gave blessings to all people attending the teaching.
On behalf of all the people of Ondorshil, the local governor expressed his appreciation for the work that Ven. Rinpoche has done over the years in helping their community. The governor presented Ven. Rinpoche with a medal to honor his humanitarian work in their village. A local representative presented Ven. Rinpoche with a souvenir of a horse to show his appreciation of all his work and to wish him a long life.
Ven. Rinpoche visited some of the children and their families in the village who are recipient of Irish sponsorship. He enquired about their heath, studies and difficulties. He offered groceries to families who are struggling to survive, and distributed clothes donated by his students in Mongolia to the poorer children.
Ven. Rinpoche visited Ondorshil Hospital. It has 20 members of staff, including three senior and three junior doctors, who gave a brief report of the hospital’s work and the general health of the community. She said that the local people’s health is improving greatly. She thanked Ven. Rinpoche for the water purification facility which is one of the most important factors that contributed to the improvement of the people’s health. Ven. Rinpoche gave vitamin C and D to the health centre for them to distribute to those in need. The hospital presented a traditional wooden souvenir to Ven. Rinpoche to show their appreciation of his continuous support and for his long life.
