Ivolginsky datsan. Buryatia, Ivolginsky datsan

In the Buryat steppe, near the ridge called Khamar-Daban, which is located near the settlement of Ivolginsk, is the Buddhist religious capital of the country - a magnificent datsan. When the street is clear weather, beautiful gilded churches shine and shimmer, from afar greeting tourists and pilgrims. It seems that time here has stopped its course ...

Schedule of Khural

Many tourists are interested in the Ivolginsky datsan. The schedule of the Khural can be found in the information-visiting center located at the monastery. To call there it is necessary on the following free phone: 8-800-1003-108. Handle better from 8:30 to 21:00.

The foundation of the Ivolginsky datsan and other spiritual centers

Since 1937 in our country there were no officially functioning Buddhist temples. But after the Second World War, the authorities allowed believers to establish two monasteries - in the Aginsky district, as well as in Buryatia. Why such a decision was made is still unknown. Returned from the hard labor of the old llamas, and ordinary people founded near the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga "Tughes Bailykhantai Ulzy Nomoy Khurdyn Hyde." This translates as "Monastery, standing on the territory where the wheel of the Teaching wheel turns, Giving Joy and filled with Happiness". It was opened in the beginning of the winter of 1945. For more than a decade, this datsan was the only sacred place of Buddhists in Buryatia, but already in the 1990s great spiritual centers began to be built again. Believers were very encouraged by these events. But there are quite a lot of them in Ulan-Ude. Ivolginsky datsan became a real outlet for them. Many began to visit him often enough.

Buddhist University

Soon in the Ivolginsky datsan began to operate a private Buddhist university called "Dashi Choinhorlin". It happened in 1991. It is now a unique educational institution, such in our country is no more. His work is to teach Buddhist philosophy and a detailed acquaintance with it. The material is served as it was many years ago in the monastery schools of Buryatia, even before the revolution.

A little bit about Buddhism

Buddhism is the oldest of the three major religions of the world. Christianity is less than five centuries old, and Islam is twelve. Buddhism is based on the theory of the Four Noble Truths. They include suffering, its causes and occurrence, the elimination of the torment and the sources that generate them, and the roads leading to their cessation. The most preferable is the Eightfold (median) Path, allowing you to dive into Nirvana. He implies several types of development of virtues: morality, concentration, and knowledge - prajna. If a person passes through all these roads, he will completely get rid of torment and will find peace in Nirvana. All this can be learned by visiting the Ivolginsky datsan. Itigelov, of course, was aware of this.

Theravada and Mahayana

It is accepted to divide Buddhism into Theravada, as well as Mahayana. This translates as "The Teaching of the Ancients" and "The Great Chariot". The former is the only existing school of early Buddhism (in other words, Nikaya). This direction is often found in Tibet and Nepal. A small spread, it also received in our country and Japan. From Tibet, it migrated to Mongolia, then - to Buryatia, at the next stage - to Tuva, and, finally, to the steppe of Kalmykia. Mahayana appeared relatively recently. Its characteristic feature is the Bodhichitta theory, in other words, the desire to save absolutely all beings living on earth. It implies infinite mercy and compassion for them. Also this theory includes the concept of a Bodhisattva - a person who can neglect an individual immersion in Nirvana to save all those who live on the earth. Mahayana is peculiar to Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism, as well as some autonomous schools. The features and important points of these theories are so twisted and inaccessible to an outside observer that it takes a huge amount of time to explain them, and even then it's not a fact that a person really understands everything. But everyone willing to receive new information is ready to accept Buryatia. Ivolginsky datsan always gladly opens its doors to guests. Therefore, you can go there without a moment's hesitation in the correctness of your decision.

Hambo Lama Itigelov

In Ivolginsky datsan the body of Lama Itigelov is stored, which is very well preserved. You can read about it in the scientific literature. Researchers have been arguing about this phenomenon for several years.

June 15, 1927, when Hambo Lame (a post comparable to the Orthodox metropolitan) Itigelov was 75 years old, he asked monks living in Yangazhinsky datsan to read a prayer for him in case of death. It was called "Nuga Namshi" ("Goodness to the dying"). The monks were completely lost and did not know what to do, and then Itigelov was the first to say the words of prayer. The lamas had to support him. When the prayer was over, and Itigelov no longer showed signs of life and seemed dead, they, as indicated in the will, put him in a sarcophagus (he is called a bumkhan) in a lotus pose and was buried in the village of Huhe Zurhen. There now is Ivolginsk. Of course, this name does not say anything at all. For tourists going to the Ivolginsky datsan, the map should always be at hand.

Extraction of the body from the sarcophagus

The monks complied with the request stated in the will of Itigelov: in 1955 Lama Lubsan Nima Darmaev together with the monks raised a bumkhan with the body, and then, having made sure of its safety, carried out the necessary ceremonies, changed it and again planted it in a sarcophagus. In 1973, another examination of the deceased was carried out.

September 10, 2002 Lama Damba Ayusheev, together with several monks of the Ivolginsky datsan, accompanied by secular people (criminalists, etc.), opened the Itigelov sarcophagus. It was in the same form as before, no signs of drying or rotting were found. After the necessary rituals, Itigelov's body was taken to the Ivolginsky datsan. There for him a separate palace was erected. Lamas Ivolginsky datsan fulfilled their duty.

An Unexplained Phenomenon

In the same year, experts took some samples - pieces of the epidermis, nails, as well as hair. Based on the experience carried out by forensic doctors, it was concluded that Itigelov's protein fractions are as if he is still alive. Scientists do not know how to comment on this phenomenon. The doctors are also confused. A lot of people come to the datsan to worship the perfectly preserved body. They believe that this is a real miracle.

Simple rules

Ivolginsky datsan is not a museum, but a functioning monastery. Going there for an excursion, you must comply with some requirements. Some Russian people seem quite ordinary, others - very exotic. Being in the square of the walls, you can not smoke, throw garbage and swear. Girls better come to the Ivolginsky datsan in long enough dresses. Shooting in churches is prohibited, but you can take pictures on the street. On this routine requirements are completed.

Unusual requirements

While in the temple, it is necessary to take off hats, hats and hats. You can not hang a backpack or a bag on your shoulder, it is recommended to carry them in your hand or put near the door. It is forbidden to turn your back on the paintings on which the Buddha and the saints are painted, and also to the body of Itigelov. Also, you can not point your finger at them. If there is a prayer in the temple, it is forbidden to cross arms and sit, putting one foot on the other. It must be remembered that the Ivolginsky datsan is a sacred place.

Goros

Hardly having gone into the monastery, it is necessary to make a symbolic round of the border of the datsan along the path, from the inside. Such a ritual is called Goros. To bypass the datsan, and simply skirting the various objects need only clockwise, as if in a solar circle. Entering the door, you need to turn to the left and walk along the wall until you return to the gate. On this road there are a lot of prayer mills - hurde (drums). They are decorated with hieroglyphics. In them lie leaves with prayers. Twisting khurde (certainly clockwise), a person, as it were, pronounces the sacred text.

Amazing place

Ivolginsky datsan is a unique place. When you walk around the suburans, khourde and pagodas, every now and then glancing at the boundless steppe and Khamar-Daban, which is seen in the distance, it seems that you are outside of Russia. It seems that this is an exotic Chinese steppe, Mongolia or Tibet. Impressions of staying in datsan remain with tourists for life.