Choizhin Lama Monastery Museum

The group of temples formerly occupied by the Choizhin Lama, brother of the Bogd Xaan, contains one of the richest collections of sacred art in Mongolia, including the highly ornamented masks used in the ritual cam dances at Ix Xüree. The Monastery was built for the Choizhin Lama on the orders of the Bogd Xaan, at a cost of 88779 taels—equivalent to more than 1800 kg of silver—with construction beginning in 1904 and completed in 1908. The monastery remained active until 1938, when it was closed during Mongolia's religious purge. It was saved from destruction in order to be converted into a museum, which now displays ritual instruments of the Buddhist faith.

Contents

The Main Temple

The main icon of this temple is an 18th century gilt statue of Buddha Shayaryamuni with his two disciples standing by his side. To the right of the Buddha is a sculpture of Choizhin Lama Livsanxaidav, while on the left of the Buddha is the embalmed corpse of Baldanchoimbol. This temple contains many religious instruments, thangka paintings, a copy of the 108-volume Kangjur and hand-printed 226-volume Tanjur brought from Tibet by the Bogd Xaan, and a collection of tsam masks.

Annex to the main temple

In this temple, Choizhin Luvsanxaidav performed a profound meditation ritual six times a month. In winter time, he conducted this ritual in a heated yurt located on the east side of the temple; in summer time he performed the ceremony in the square of the temple.

The Zuu temple

This temple is dedicated to the Buddha Shakyamuni. There are also papier-mache sculptures of Buddha is the past, present and future times with his two disciples. The 16 apostles are shown on the walls on either side of the temple, and the four Maxranz protectors are depicted sitting in caves on either side of the door. Yadam Temple. The main protector of the Buddhist religion in Mongolia, Luvsanxaidav, used to pray in this temple, which was closed to the public. In the centre of the temple is a gilt bronze sculpture of one of the 84 Indian wizards Mahasida. Also here are tantric gods Kalasakra, Mahamaya, Vajradhara and others with their shakti (consorts). The postures of these gods correspond to the 64 postures of meditation and symbolize power and strength.

The temple of amgalan or peace

This temple is dedicated to the first Mongolian reincarnation of the Bogd Zhivzundama, Öndör Gegeen Zanabazar (1635-1724).

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In commemoration of the legacy and teachings of
His Holiness Dulduit Danzanravzhaa
Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi (1803-1856)

I did not overbearingly sophize
Nor preach with pride and arrogance
But having found a sense in this world
Spoke the truth of my dear heart.
portrait of Danzanravzhaa, Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi  scorpion, symbol of wisdom as used by Danzanravzhaa
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