GANDAN

Most Buddhist Monasteries in Mongolia were destroyed during the communist regime, which lasted until 1990. One of the only to survive was Gandan Monastery, being used as a showcase for visitors. It's official name is Gandantegchinleng Khiid, or in Mongolian script: Ugy;gymtuxnylty Hna; ( to download Mongol font  click here ). This name signifies something like Great Place of Complete Joy or Great Way to the Cosmos. Literally it can be translated as:

- Gan = rejoyce - Dan = perfect - Teg = vehicle > Tegchin = Mahayna (Greater Vehicle) - Leng = island

Which would result in Mahayana Island of Perfect Rejoice, with Island being a generally used metaphor for monastery.
Gandan is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia, with over 400 monks.