Choijin Lama Temple Museum

Otgonsuren Dugarsuren

The first temple was built in 1899-1901 in the north side of Zuun Khuree. However, it was burned down due to sudden fire in the winter of 1903. Second temple built on this very ground. Land-inspecting lamas chose the most frosted land with wrathful deities. For the State Oracle Luvsankhaidav's religious endeavours, the temple complex was built by 300 top craftsmen, led by Ombo. Since its establish in 1908 until the end of 1930s, the temple had 50 monks and 2 clerks.

Amgalan Norovtseden

In Buddhism, there are Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. What did Buddha say? What did Buddha teach? What does his teaching Dharma say about? How does the Dharma affect people's perceptions? There are people who exemplify the ideology and enlightenment. Who are called Sangha. These three things have great importance in Buddhism. They're called Three Jewels. Then there are many guardians who took the oath to protect and promote these three jewels and protect them. Many of them. In particular, the guardians are incarnated in many forms, some of them are calm, some of them are very fierce, some of them are half-evil, and they appear to us in many different forms. They rectify the evil mind of a person and cleanse their defilement. All of them belong to the Buddha whether they have a fierce or a calm form they belong to the nature of Buddha. Some people choose the use of force as a solution. Some people choose pacifying methods to solve things. If we say, "My son, please stop". They do stop. When we force them to stop, some people get scared and stop. So guardians are in different forms. Calm and fierce. Among the many such incarnations, guardians that protect temples, prevent the spread of non-virtue, and keep society in peace are called guardians that protect dharma. They are called Choijin guardians or the dharma-promoting guardians.

Dr. Oyunbileg Zundui

When we construct a temple or monastery, choosing the right land is the first task. Where it should be located? Special land inspector does this task. Considering the proximity to nature, In rural areas, for example, the leeward side of a mountain is preferable. When the Choijin Lama Temple Museum was built, it was a empty steppe. Bogd Mountain was in the south. There was another temple next to it. In terms of architecture planning, it's located at the central axis of symmetry. The main temple is the center. All other facilities were built following the centripetal principle and located two sides of the main temple. Main buildings were built at the center.

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End of the 1930s was a critical time for the future of the temple and its existence Scientists and researchers of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and Russian architect Vasilav submitted their request to the state officials to leave the temple intact and the suggested that precious religious relics should be studied. In 1938, the Prime Minister Amar and Marshal Choibalsan decided and transferred the ownership to the Mongolian Academy of Sciences for research and exhibition purposes. That's how it became a museum.

Amgalan Norovtseden

During the late spread period of Buddhism in Mongolia, considering its 2000 years of development culture and education system, the prosperity created by the nation, an unfortunate and major event occurred. That we all wish it would never happen again. This is the repression period that lasted from 1937 to 1939. Back then Mongolia was a great nation. Great country with great culture. With well-developed Buddhism religion. Unfortunately, that religious belief was destroyed to its full extent. In total, more than 21,000 monks had been persecuted. Over a thousand temples in Mongolia were destroyed. Very unfortunate event. I sincerely hope that such a sad thing will not happen again. Calling it repression is an understatement. Western and foreign researchers say it's not a repression. They conclude that it's organized genocide. It's an accurate conclusion.

Otgonsuren Dugarsuren

Choijin Lama Temple museum was established for the religious endeavours of Choijin Lama Luvsankhaidav. Luvsankhaidav was born in 1872 in Lhasa city in Tibet. He was the fifth son of Konchok Tsering, a clerk of His Holiness the Dalai Lama His brother was recognized as the Eight Bogd Jibzundampa Khutugtu of Mongolia In 1874. Then his family was invited to Mongolia. He was exposed the Mongolian culture in early his childhood He learned Mongolian language and culture very well and grew up as an intellectual. Around 1883-1884, to protect the Buddhim in Khalkha the Eighth Bogd Jibzundampa khutugtu and Dharma King Palten Choephel decided and recognized him as ‘the State Oracle Lama of Mongolia’ and invited Gurtem Lama from Tibet to teach Luvsankhaidav to execute wrathful deities and perform oracle trance. Luvsankhaidav became the State Oracle. In his temple, he performed oracle trance to protect the public and the religion. Recognizing his efforts to protect the state and the religion, Eight Bogd Jibzundampa Khutugtu and the title of Gujir Khamba, State Oracle, and the title of ‘One with Precious Wisdom and Clear Devotion’. He was awarded with the title and the seal of Khutugtu. And the seal of temple chief. The State Oracle passed away in February 16, 1918 at Dragon hour due to fainting.

Amgalan Norovtseden

In general, if a person wants enlightenment and free himself from 84 thousand evils, they must meditate to the highest level. In order to meditate to the highest level, a person needs to adapt the pride of Yadam deity learn from him and practice his meditation in order. So that the person can reach enlightenment in his lifetime. In Buddhism, it's important to guide the path to reach Yadam quickly and bring people to their highest level of development. That's why Yadam deity's temple, praying for Yadam and practicing his meditation is the most important in Buddhism. That's why the Yadam temple is located right behind the main temple in the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. Our Bogd khutugtus worship Demchig deity a lot. They practice the Demchig's meditation. They also practice the Yamandag deity's meditation. Sandui deity's meditation as well. Uniting all these efforts, we worship and pray in the Yadam temple. That's how the masters and religious leaders are born.

Ukhaanzaya Dorjnamjin

In the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, many extraordinary art pieces are present. In terms of moulding, there are deities created with moulding technique, Creation of body forms. Also, there are thangka paintings. Silk paintings or applique creations. Engraved wooden mandalas. Paper mache arts. Deities can be created using these methods. Moulding, applique, or silk paintings and embroidery methods can be used to create the three forms of art. Body form, sutras and ritual items. In the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, we have precious art forms created with the applique. There are also many deities created with the moulding technique. With the paper mache method, the paradise and Yamandag mandalas were created. Many engraved Buddhist arts. Highly ornate structure of the temple created with wooden engravings. So, we have many superior forms of art in the Choijin Lama Temple Museum

Otgonsuren Dugarsuren

In efforts to ensure customers' comfort, to improve the preservation and protection of exhibits and relics, to promote the preservation of cultural and historical heritage individuals and organizations have been supporting us greatly. As a result, our museum operation has expanded. The Choijin Lama Temple museum team renewed our long-term plan. In collaboration with an expert from the World Monuments Fund, we developed a management plan for the restoration of the monumental buildings. Our museum was selected as one of the top 25 landmarks of 22 countries. We plan to have world-class facilities for exhibitions and the plan is already reflected in the government's action program. Our team is confident that the activities of the museum will continue to expand. It will become a world-class museum with buildings that meet museum standards, creating a comfortable environment for our customers. I would like to express my gratitude to the people and organizations who have supported the museum until today.

Ukhaanzaya Dorjnamjin

Applique or silk painting is popular in Mahayana Buddhism countries. They're known by the name of silk art or applique. In Mongolia especially, applique has developed to its peak. From 19-20th century, 8th Bogd Javzandamba khutagt, the brother of Choijin Lama thangka art was developed to its peak. Researchers say that. Applique is commonly used for sutra creation. There are three types of creation: Body forms, sutras, and ritual items. All of them were created by applique methods. I mentioned there are many different forms of arts. Painting... Body forms, sutras, and ritual items. Another one is casting. Engraving, paper mache, and sculpting. The main one is silk art. We create art using colorful silks. Which is called applique. It's well developed in Mongolia. Traditional art. Extraordinary applique arts dating back from 19, 20th century are kept here in the Choijin Lama Temple Museum.

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To attract the youth's interest in cultural heritage, we've been organizing "Night Museum" events for 14 consecutive years. During "Night Museum", we display special exhibitions. We collaborate with professional artists and singers to allow the audience to experience both intangible and tangible arts. In the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, we've the largest number of Tsam masks. There are also the complete outfits of Gombo Mahgal and Jamsran, which is considered a unique masterpiece. By demonstrating these artworks through "Tsam dance", we aim to offer live experience, combining both tangible and intangible arts.

Amgalan Norovtseden

Transforming a temple into a museum has a great importance in education. Because, for example, the Choijin Lama Temple Museum is located at the heart of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Through the temple, people can learn about Buddhism, and its development. Its culture and different forms of deities, including the calm ones and fierce ones, and half-evil ones. They can learn why we worship the deities. By stepping into the temple, they start learning about the religion. They will realize what has been taken away when they step out of the door. Professional guides at the museum educate them. That's why temple museums are really important. People learn so much about tangible and intangible cultural heritages. Museums have great importance because of that.

Dr. Oyunbileg Zundui

Ulaanbaatar city was first established in 1778 on its current location. It used be called "Khuree". In 1911, the name was changed to "Niislel Khuree" Later in 1924, the name Ulaanbaatar was given. When it was Khuree, there were two main temples. Gandan and Zuun khuree. Two main temples. In Zuun Khuree, the Choijin Lama Temple was first built in 1899. It was built from 1899 to 1901 It was a wooden building. Yellow Palace, the imperial residence of the Bogd Khan was also located there. Yellow Palace, Galav Monastery, and Choijin Lama Temple Museum were all made of wood. That's why they burned down. Then the Choijin Lama Temple was built again on this land. They improved construction materials, with brick walls and ceramic roofs. New temple was built from 1903 to 1908. The old one was located next to the imperial residence, Yellow Palace. Today the new temple is located at the city center, near the government palace. It's only cultural heritage that was left in downtown. Main spot for tourism That's how it has grown.