Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Spiritualism in Mongolia
Mongolians are a deeply spiritual people. This, however, is not always ap-
parent, as organised religion is but one small part of the spiritual matrix.
Spirituality comes in many other forms, much of it day-to-day rituals rooted
in Mongolia's shamanic past. The ancient animist beliefs of the Siberian and
steppe tribes who worshipped the sun, earth and sky are still very much
alive, woven intimately into the fabric of modern Mongolia.
THE NINTH JEBTZUN DAMBA
In 1924 the eighth Jebtzun Damba ('Bogd Khan' in Mongolian) passed away, mark-
ing the end of two centuries of Buddhist rule in Mongolia. Soon after his death Mon-
golia was declared a republic and the then-communist government forbade the re-
cognition of a ninth Jebtzun Damba.
But the great lamas of Tibet had other plans. Tradition held that new incarnations
of the Jebtzun Damba would be found in Tibet, so when the time was right, the re-
gent of Lhasa recognised a ninth incarnation. His identity was kept secret to protect
him from Russian secret agents, who were busy ridding Mongolia of its Buddhist
clergy. The young Jebtzun Damba, named Jampal Namdrol Chokye Gyaltsen, was
born in 1932 and undertook Buddhist studies at Drepung Monastery for 14 years.
At the age of 21 he left the monastery to live as a hermit, practising meditation at
sacred caves throughout central Tibet. When he was 29 he fled Tibet for India, fol-
lowing the Dalai Lama and thousands of other Tibetans escaping Chinese persecu-
tion. The Jebtzun Damba lived in obscurity for decades until being re-recognised by
the Dalai Lama in 1991.
In 1999, at the age of 67, he turned up unannounced in Ulaanbaatar, having re-
ceived a tourist visa in Moscow. (One can only imagine the customs form: 'Occupa-
tion: Reincarnation of Tibetan deity Vajrapani'!)
He stayed in Mongolia for 60 days, visiting monasteries in Ulaanbaatar and the
countryside. Although mobbed by adoring fans wherever he went, he was deemed
persona non grata by the Mongolian government, which at the time was unsure of
his motives. He was finally pressured to leave after overstaying his visa.
In 2010 he was allowed to return to Mongolia, where a more confident govern-
ment welcomed him and even granted him Mongolian citizenship. The Jebtzun
Damba spent his remaining days at Gandan Monastery, where he died in March
2012. Speculation persists that the 10th incarnation will eventually be found in Mon-
golia.
For more information on Mongolia's spiritual leader, see www.jetsundhampa.com .
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