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 ULAN BATOR, Mongolia (AP) - The Dalai Lama elevated a group of Mongolian monks into the Buddhist priesthood's higher ranks Friday, bolstering the country's traditional faith as it struggles to re-establish itself following decades of communist persecution.
With hundreds of onlookers gathered outside, the secret initiation ceremony was held in a temple at Gandantegcheling monastery, the main seat of Mongolian Buddhist worship and learning in Ulan Bator, the capital.
No details were released and it was not known how many monks had been promoted. The ceremony is believed to involve an examination and instructions from the Dalai Lama on adhering to 256 rules of Buddhist conduct, including celibacy.
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