Anniversary of Danzanravjaa
Today marks the 150th anniversary the death of Danzanravjaa – the “Fifth Wrathful Noble Saint of the Gobi”, one of the greatest literary figures and educators in Mongolian history. Born in 1803, Danzanravjaa produced a remarkable output of songs, poems and teachings, in addition to founding Mongolia’s first museum, theatre, and mixed school.
The anniversary is to be commemorated on an international scale, with a program of special events to be held throughout the year. Danzanravjaa is one of 42 historical figures whose anniversaries will be celebrated in 2006-2007 by UNESCO.
Among the actions to commemorate this anniversary:
- The Arts Council of Mongolia is implementing a one-year project to improve facilities for the conservation of the unique and historically important cultural artifacts of the Danzanravjaa Museum in Sainshand, and to ensure appropriate maintenance of the museum's collection of objects and books through museum staff training (http://www.artscouncil.mn/marketing_program4.html). This one year project was awarded by the US Ambassadors Cultural Heritage grants fund in competition with countries from all over Asia and started its implementation in July 2005.
- Restoration of Khamar Monastery in the East Gobi, former seat of Danzanravjaa, is to continue throughout 2006, with the completion of the “Shambhala Land” complex of 108 stupas and the improvement of the monastery’s circumambulation path.
- Ten young monks have been sent to India with the sponsorship of Miserior (www.tilopa.net) and the US-based Kunzang Palyul Chöling (www.tara.org). It is hoped that these young monks will return to help re-establish Khamar Monastery as a leading centre of Mongolian Buddhism.
- INMongolia Consulting Ltd. is to release a CD of songs by Danzanravjaa, performed by leading Mongolian artists. The release will coincide with events held to commemorate the anniversary of Danzanravjaa in summer 2006. Danzanravjaa’s songs continue to enjoy considerable popularity throughout Mongolia today, with “Ulemjiin Chanar” and other works taking an important place in the folk repertoire (www.inmongolia.com).
Further biographical information can be found at www.danzanravjaa.org.
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technorati: mongolia
posted by Guido V @ 16:28
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1 comments
1 Comments:
I've emailed Guido privately about this, but it seems much too limiting to refer to Danzan Ravjaa as a "literary figure and educator." He was, in truth, one of the most astounding Buddhist masters in Mongolian history, who created a nearly unprecedented enlightened environment that included landmark achievements in poetry, lyricism, drama, medicine, education, and museum curation, all of which were carried out with insistence on equal opportunities in these arenas for women.
Also, one bit of clarification. I believe the Tilopa Center itself sent 11 young monks to the Drikung Kagyu training center in Dehra Dun, India. We at KPC sponsored two more who are now at the Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery in Bylakuppe, India. This is unusual for Mongolia in that the focus is on reviving the "red" traditions of the Nyingma and Kagyu; the "yellow" tradition of the Gelugpa forms the dominant system in the country.
All that said, I'm very happy to see all this attention and activity surrounding Danzan Ravjaa, a true Mongolian cultural hero. Kudos especially to IN Mongolia for sponsoring the CD -- can't wait to hear it.
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