Ivolginsk Datsan. Imperishable body of Hambo-lama Itigelov

Ivolginsk Datsan.

 Imperishable body of Hambo-lama Itigelov

student: Andreeva Alina  

GBPOU "BKTIS", Republic of Buryatia

head: Dyachenko E.A.

Buddhism is traditional religion of the Buryats. The Ivolginsk datsan is the heart of the Buddhism. The main temple of the datsan is Tsogchendugan. It is buit according to the principle of «mandala». Twelve stone lions guard the building. Ivolginsk Datsan is the spot of many festivities in honour of important events in the history of Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia. In 2004 there was held a scientific-practical conferece devoted to 240-th anniversaty of Institute of Pandito Khambo Lamas of Russia. Great festival, devoted to 60-th anniversary of Ivolginsk Datsan was held in August , 2006. As usual, solemn events are completed with Eryn Gurban Naadan (in Buryat-Three Games of Men).

The datsan is protected by the government as a piece of cult architecture and not long time ago it became a place where the most valuable relic is kept – the imperishable body of  Pandito Khambo -Lama XII Dasha-Dorzho Itigelov. He was the Head of the Buddhists of East Siberia from 1911 to 1917. He became popular as a philosopher, lama and a doctor. Surrounded by his disciples, he took the pose of lotus and ordered them to take his body out of the grave after some time. He promised to come back alive. Then he began to say the prayer, which usually accompanied the dead and plunged into deep meditation and buried at the rural cemetery.

When the body was exhumed, it became clear that this is not mummification, but some other, yet unknown to anybody condition.

Pandito Khambo Lama XII Dashi-Dorzho Etigelov (1852-1927) is considered to be the reincarnation f the first Pandito Khambo Lama Damba-Darzhi Zayayev (1702-1777) who was born on the high banks of the Chikoi. Just near the village of Sharagol, Kyakhta District, a suburgan has  been built. The suburgan erected there became the place of worship for Buddhists.

A separate datsan was built for the relic. The building started in 2003. In five years the Dear Imperishable Body was carried in a special strencher  to a new palace. It is possible to worship the Imperishable Body of Pandito Khambo Lama Itigelov seven times a year in Tsogchen Dugan. In October of  2008 in Ivolginsk Datsan the Palace of  Khambo Lama D.-D. Itigelov had been Blessed. Since the early morning till late evening of the 31-st of 2008 in Ivolginsk Datsan the public prayer devoted to the Blessing of the Palace of Khambo Lama D.-D. Itigelov was going on. Built an accordance  with the canons of the Buryat temple architecture it is to be admired.

The Palace of Khambo Lama Itigelov reminds us of Devazhin Dugan in Yangazhin Datsan built by Great Lama himself which, alas, no longer exists. Many people from another country want to see the imperishable body of Hambo-Lama Itigelov in September 2002. It is unique phenomenon. My family and I visited the Ivolginsky datsan and we worshiped and prayed there.

Literature:

1. magazine "Tourist Buryatia"