Erdene Zuu Monastery
Situated in Övörxangai aimag, Xarxorin sum. Built on the site of the former city of Karakorum, the monastery was founded by Abtai Sain Xaan in 1586 following his adoption of Buddhism as the official state religion.
History and Description of Erdene Zuu Monastery
The monastery is distinctive in terms of its combination of construction materials and styles from the Uigur, Turkic and Mongolian Empire periods, as well as in terms of its layout, which reflects the traditional circular layout of the Mongolian yurt and of the "xüree" encampment.[1]
The monastery is surrounded by 108 soyombo stupas, joined together by a square stone wall. Each stupa is 3.15-3.17 metres wide at its foundation, and is 7.5 metres in height, including a 3.4 metre base. The main temples of Erdene Zuu – the three Zuu temples, the Dalai Lama temple, and so on – are situated in the nortwest section of the monastery; in the north-central section is located the "Golden Stupa", a 1.6 metre-high stupa is in the Bodhi style surrounded by eight smaller stupas of various types, built on a square foundation. Nearby were formerly located the main Cogchin prayer temple, the "Blue Temple" (also known as the "Old Temple"), and the temples of Bogd Lavrin, Ochirdar' and Zhanraiseg. To the south there were once a compound used by the head lama and an astrology temple. In the southeastern part of the monastery there was a complex of temples built by the White Pilgrim, as well as the temples of Zhanchivlin and Dashchoilin. In the centre of the monastery complex was situated a large pond, next to which Abtai Sain Xan had constructed his palace-yurt (the foundations of which remain visible today), and to the southwest of which were found a library and the Geser temple.[2]
The main Zuu temples consist of three small temples built side-by-side – known as the Central Zuu, Western Zuu, and Eastern Zuu temples. Each temple has an interior circumambulation corridor, and a large decorated pinnacle named Ochir Ganzhir on its roof. The Central Zuu temple contains a statue of the Buddha, with statues of Gombogur and the goddess Lxam to his right and left. The Western and Eastern Zuu temples respectively house statues and icons dedicated to the Buddha in his youth and maturity. The ceilings and walls of the temples are decorated with the portraits of various deities. In front of the temples are located the tombs of Abtai Sain Xaan and his grandson Tüsheet Xan Gombodorzh.
The monastery suffered damage in the 1680s, approximately one century after its initial construction, during the Inter-Mongolian wars. Attempts at restoration were made in 1701-5 under the fourth head lama, Lampil. His successor Luvsandanzan continued the work and in 1718 established Tögösbayasgalant Temple, for which he was awarded the title "Achit Darxan" ("Helpful Artisan"). The second wave of restoration work began in 1743, during the period in office of the 6th chief-priest, Biligt, and was conducted by the master Luvsantseren. From 1771 the 7th chief-priest, Nomch Corzh Davaadarzhaa, entrusted restorations of the monastery to a famous Mongolian architect of the 18th century, who designed the Great Cogchin Temple (built 1763-1770), and Lovar Temple (built 1784-1792). The final wave of restoration work was carried out from 1796-1803. There is evidence of some minor restoration and rebuilding until 1879. Historical sources reveal that in 1872, there were 62 temples inside the walls of Erdene Zuu.[3] This number increased continuously until the 1930s.
Erdene Zuu Monastery After the 1930s
The majority of the temples at Erdene Zuu were destroyed in 1939 during the state religious purge. From 1947 the former monastery was converted into a museum. Architects and conservation specialists worked under the supervision of B. Daazhav to draw up plans for the restoration of the Laviran Temple complex in 1969-70.[4] In the 1990s authority over the Lavrin temple was transferred to lamas, to allow its religious use. Today the main, west and eastern temples have been restored and are used as exhibition halls for the religious museum. There are also 18 historical buildings still standing, along with the 108 stupas connected to form the exterior wall of the monastery complex.
Notes
- ↑ Д. Майдар. Монголын архитектур ба хот байгуулалт. УБ 1971. // Н. М. Шепетильников. Архитектура Монголии. М., 1960
- ↑ Х. Пэрлээ. Монгол ард улсын эрт дундад үеийн хот суурингийн товчоон. УБ, 1961
- ↑ Эрдэнэ зуу, Өндөр гэгээний намтар оршив. Гар бичмэл.
- ↑ Б. Даажав. Хуучны барилга судлалын эскпедицийн тайлан. МУИС, 1967 (бичмэл)
 | 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. |   |