Danzanravjaa
Encyclopedia
Dulduityn Danzanravjaa was a prominent Mongolian writer, composer, painter and medic and the the Fifth Noyon Khutagt, the Lama of the Gobi. His name is a Mongolian adaptation of last part of the Tibetan name Lobsang Tenzin Rabgye given to Danzan Ravjaa by the 4th Bogd Gegeen, on his visit to the Mongolian capitol Urga (present-day Ulaanbaatar) in 1812 where Danzan Ravjaa was also recognized as an Incarnate Lama (Tib: Tulku
). There are several versions about origins and use of "Dulduityn". He was 5th incarnation of Gobi Noyon Hutagt, which is the title of a prominent line of tulku
s of the Nyingmapa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
in Mongolia
and was found by the personal attendant of the 4th Noyon Hutagt in 1809. It was not possible to enthrone Danzan Ravjaa as the 5th Noyon Hutagt because of the ban from ruling Manchu Dynasty on recognition of this line of incarnations. Mongolia at the time was under Manchurian Qing control. He was enthroned as Avshaa Gegeen in Ongiin Gol (present-day Saikhan-Ovoo
) Monastery by Ishdonilhudev Rinpoche. He is primarily famous for his poetry
, but is also known for his prophecies, and treatises on medicine
, philosophy
, and astrology
.
's Gobi Mergen khoshuu, in what is today Khövsgöl sum
of Dornogovi aimag
. His family was poor and his mother died while he was still young. He and his father survived by begging and singing until 1809, when he was accepted as a disciple of Ishdoniilkhundev at the Onggiyin Ghool Monastery. He was quickly acknowledged for his literary talent. The monasteries he established at Galbyn Uul became religious centers and served as religious crossroads between Mongolia, China
, and Tibet
during his lifetime. Other than his writings he was also known for his combination of Yellow Hat and Red Hat
sect beliefs.
As a member of the Nyingma
school of Buddhism
Danzan Ravja was not required to refrain from alcohol or sexual relationships, and he was well known for his love of both. He frequently referred to the ecstasy he experienced with his lovers and took two wives. He also frequently referred to himself as a "boozer" (sokhtakhu) in his writing.
Danzan Ravjaa was unique in Mongolia for his times because he had a concern for public education
. At his Khamar Monastery he established a public library
, museum, and primary school in addition to a professional public theater company called Saran Khukhuu. The primary school was original for pre-revolutionary Mongolia since it had a non-secular curriculum focused on Mongolian and Tibetan literacy
, mathematics, natural science, and history. Graduates often went on to work in the theater company.
He is famous for writing poetry and creating
Danzanravjaa wrote in Mongolian and Tibetan, and created over 300 poems and more than hundred songs. Among the most famous are the "Savior Mantra" and the song "Ulemjiin Chanar
" praising the beauty of the Mongolian woman. He also wrote the first Mongolian drama, Moon Cuckoo (Saran khökhöö).
Joint Austrian-Mongolian expedition led by Michael Eisenriegler found Danzanravjaa treasures hidden in Gobi Desert
. These artifacts are on display at the Danzan Ravjaa Museum in Sainshand.
ing, which is possible since he had many enemies during his lifetime. He was unpopular with the Manchu
rulers of the Qing Dynasty
and the widow of a local ruler. However, there is no definitive evidence that his death was from murder, suicide, or simply illness.
on the Internet on TV.
In 2005 digital archive of his original work was created with funding from the British Library
's Endangered Archives Programme. It consists of 43,350 TIFF files. The project remains incomplete, however, since a number of the crates have been loaned out and not returned.
Tulku
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
). There are several versions about origins and use of "Dulduityn". He was 5th incarnation of Gobi Noyon Hutagt, which is the title of a prominent line of tulku
Tulku
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
s of the Nyingmapa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
in Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
and was found by the personal attendant of the 4th Noyon Hutagt in 1809. It was not possible to enthrone Danzan Ravjaa as the 5th Noyon Hutagt because of the ban from ruling Manchu Dynasty on recognition of this line of incarnations. Mongolia at the time was under Manchurian Qing control. He was enthroned as Avshaa Gegeen in Ongiin Gol (present-day Saikhan-Ovoo
Saikhan-Ovoo
Saikhan-Ovoo is an urban-type settlement or village in Saikhan sum of Bulgan Province in northern Mongolia.Saikhan-Ovoo population is 500 .- Geography :...
) Monastery by Ishdonilhudev Rinpoche. He is primarily famous for his poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, but is also known for his prophecies, and treatises on medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
.
Life and work
Danzanravjaa was born in the Tüsheet Khan aimagAimags of Mongolia
Mongolia is divided into 21 aimags . Each aimag is subdivided into several sums. The name aimag is derived from the Mongolian and Turkic languages word for "tribe". The modern aimags were established since 1921...
's Gobi Mergen khoshuu, in what is today Khövsgöl sum
Khövsgöl, Dornogovi
Khövsgöl is a sum of Dornogovi Province in southeastern Mongolia....
of Dornogovi aimag
Dornogovi Province
Dornogovi is one of the 21 Aimags of Mongolia. It is located in the southeast of the country.-Administrative Subdivision:* - tosgon .** - The aimag capital Sainshand-References:...
. His family was poor and his mother died while he was still young. He and his father survived by begging and singing until 1809, when he was accepted as a disciple of Ishdoniilkhundev at the Onggiyin Ghool Monastery. He was quickly acknowledged for his literary talent. The monasteries he established at Galbyn Uul became religious centers and served as religious crossroads between Mongolia, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
during his lifetime. Other than his writings he was also known for his combination of Yellow Hat and Red Hat
Red Hat
Red Hat, Inc. is an S&P 500 company in the free and open source software sector, and a major Linux distribution vendor. Founded in 1993, Red Hat has its corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina with satellite offices worldwide....
sect beliefs.
As a member of the Nyingma
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
school of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
Danzan Ravja was not required to refrain from alcohol or sexual relationships, and he was well known for his love of both. He frequently referred to the ecstasy he experienced with his lovers and took two wives. He also frequently referred to himself as a "boozer" (sokhtakhu) in his writing.
Danzan Ravjaa was unique in Mongolia for his times because he had a concern for public education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. At his Khamar Monastery he established a public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
, museum, and primary school in addition to a professional public theater company called Saran Khukhuu. The primary school was original for pre-revolutionary Mongolia since it had a non-secular curriculum focused on Mongolian and Tibetan literacy
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
, mathematics, natural science, and history. Graduates often went on to work in the theater company.
He is famous for writing poetry and creating
Danzanravjaa wrote in Mongolian and Tibetan, and created over 300 poems and more than hundred songs. Among the most famous are the "Savior Mantra" and the song "Ulemjiin Chanar
Ulemjiin Chanar
Ulemjiin Chanar is a Mongolian folk song composed by Danzanravjaa at his meditation center in the Gobi Desert. The song praises the beauty of a Mongolian woman and is one of the most well known and popular folk songs in Mongolia...
" praising the beauty of the Mongolian woman. He also wrote the first Mongolian drama, Moon Cuckoo (Saran khökhöö).
Joint Austrian-Mongolian expedition led by Michael Eisenriegler found Danzanravjaa treasures hidden in Gobi Desert
Gobi Desert
The Gobi is a large desert region in Asia. It covers parts of northern and northwestern China, and of southern Mongolia. The desert basins of the Gobi are bounded by the Altai Mountains and the grasslands and steppes of Mongolia on the north, by the Hexi Corridor and Tibetan Plateau to the...
. These artifacts are on display at the Danzan Ravjaa Museum in Sainshand.
Death
Danzan Ravjaa died under mysterious circumstances. It is often claimed that he was murdered by poisonPoison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
ing, which is possible since he had many enemies during his lifetime. He was unpopular with the Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
rulers of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
and the widow of a local ruler. However, there is no definitive evidence that his death was from murder, suicide, or simply illness.
Legacy
After Danzan's death one of his disciples, Sh. Balchinchoijoo (Ishlodon), collected his manuscripts and relics and served as their Curator (Takhilch), a role that passed down to his male heirs. After the communist revolution the collection was buried for safekeeping in the mountains, and a map to the location continued to pass within the family of Curators. The collection remained buried until the present Curator, Zundoi Altangerel, unearthed 24 boxes of manuscripts and relics in 1991 and transferred them to a small museum in Sainshand. Another 22 boxes remained buried. In 2009, Altangerel and Austrian archaeologist Michael Eisenriegler unearthed two more crates in an event that was simulcastSimulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
on the Internet on TV.
In 2005 digital archive of his original work was created with funding from the British Library
British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
's Endangered Archives Programme. It consists of 43,350 TIFF files. The project remains incomplete, however, since a number of the crates have been loaned out and not returned.
Further reading and links
List imported from: Mongol Studies, Online Reference: Danzan Ravjaa- D. Ravzhaa. Perfect Qualities : The Collected Poems of the 5th Noyon Khutagtu Danzanravjaa, (1803-1856). Ulaanbaatar, Ōngōt khévlél, 2006.
- McHugh, Sarah. "General Conservation Survey of Danzanravjaa Museum." Danzan Ravjaa: The Heritage of the "Terrible Noble Saint of the Gobi." Danzanravjaa.org. 2004 (Word file). Accessed 27 June 2008.
- Khamar Monastery overview.
- Norbu, Konchog. "'Treasures of the Sand' — The Legacy of Danzan Ravjaa." Tibetan Museum Society. Tibetan-museum-society.org. No date. Accessed 27 June 2008.
- Morrow, Pete. "Preserving the legacy of Danzanravjaa, Lord of the Gobi." Originally published in the Tibet Foundation Newsletter. No date. Accessed 27 June 2008.