WELCOME TO KYAKHTA
THE MIROCHINSKY DATSAN
The Myrochinsky datsan ( the former name is the Tsonglsky datsan) is located not
far from the village of Murochi on the right bank of the Chikoy-river, on the
motorway Bichura - Kyakhta. Datsan is the first Buddhist temple - the centre of
Lamaism in the Western Transbaikalye.
In 1741 a huge felt tent to conduct prayerful services was arranged in the place
of Hilgantuy, 12 versts far from a present temple and the first prayerful
services began to be conducted there. In 1758 the wooden Tsogolsky Datsan was
erected in the composition of the main Tsokuli – dugan and its six small temples
– sume. The Datsan was erected due to the project of the hambo-lama and the
Buryat masters of temple design and Russian carpenters participated in its
construction. The buildings of the temple were distinguished with their sizes,
its temples corresponded on the sizes to the main temple of Tamchinsky (Gusinoozyorsky)
Datsan.
In 1772 a Russian scientist, Peter - Simon Pallas visited the Datsan and noted
its significant sizes and high skills of national painters. In the beginning of
XIX century four more small temples were constructed, and next to datsan
appeared a monastery settlement.
In the library of Datsan the unique set of works of Buddhist philosophers was
collected, the school of khuvaraks (pupils) worked, where the future clerics
were trained. People came here to study from the whole Buryatia, as each Buryat
family sent to Datsan one of the sons.
In 1908 the assembly of patrimonial aristocracy decided to erect a new stone
building of Datsan on the new place, because the place where the old Datsan was
located, often was flooded by freshet waters. The building of the temple was
constructed and some buildings of old Datsan were transferred to the new place.
The new temple complex was much larger and richer. The main three-tiered
building had the sizes 30 to 39 meters, a paved strip of " a sacred way ”
conducted to it from the gate and seven small temples were located around it.
Three more temples settled down outside a fencing. Along paths and on the
perimeter of the yard alleys of trees were planted, and from the bottom of
mountain Humune-Ubur the wooden waterpipe was conducted. In 30-es years of XX
century, during struggle against religion the Datsan was destroyed and stopped
its activity.
The restoration of the Datsan began in the beginning of 90-s of XX century, it
proceeds till now. To present time the main temple has been restored, the stupa
has been established and a part of small temples has been restored too. Datsan
is called “Baldan – Breybun”, that in translation from the Tibetan language into
äóãàíRussian approximately means “The perfect collection of fruit” of the
Buddhist doctrine. Not far from the basic temple complex at a sacred rock in the
place of Ranzhur on which the prayful inscription “ Om mani padme hum” is
displayed, the Dugan “Aryabala” has been built where prayerfull ceremonies are
conducted. This inscription was discovered by the first prior of Datsan more
than 200 years ago, and since then the place became the purpose of pilgrimage of
Buddhists from the whole Central Asia and Transbaikalye. It is one of two unique
places - relics of Buddhism in the world on which Buddha left his sign. The
second similar place is in Nepal. At the rock meditations are held every day.
Datsan is open for visitors.
The prior of Datsan shireete-lama Bato Shareev and the community welcome the
spread of information about activity on restoration of this most ancient
Buddhist temple in Buryatia and are interested in attraction of attention to it
not only believers - Buddhists, but also other categories of visitors, including
tourists. The spread of the doctrine of Buddha is one of mainstreams of activity
of the temple. At the same time, the process of restoration needs financial
support, therefore, any help from visitors and any donations are important.
Until recently the construction has been conducted due to the means collected by
the community. In previous years the Datsan has been restored due to the
sponsor's help of one of Kyakhtinsky businessmen. It does not exclude an
opportunity of rendering the sponsor's help from all those who are interested in
the process of revival of Buddhist relics.
The Datsan is one of the most interesting objects for those who travel in the
south of Buryatia. Following the route Ulan-Ude - Mukhorshbir - Bichura -
Kyakhta tourists get an opportunity to get acquainted with several layers of its
culture: culture of Semeyskie-Old Believers of Transbaikalye living in
Mukhorshbirsky and Bichursky regions, the culture of Buddhism, and the town
culture of old Kyakhta. Besides, datsan "Baldan-Breybun” is one of the most
important objects leaving the brightest impressions. In Datsan it is possible to
order the prayerfull service. Next to Datsan works cafe - poznaya where one can
taste dishes of the Buryat national cuisine.
PAGES OF THE PICTURE ALBUM
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Tour to Buryatia
St. Petersburg
