Zanabazar

MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar

Zanabazar was a monk and sculptor who played an influential role in the history of Mongolian art. Also known as the First Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, his Dharma name was Lobzang Tenpai Gyeltsen. “Zanabazar” is translated into Mongolian from the Sanskrit term “Jnana-vajra,” which means wisdom and diamond. He was born in Yeson Zuil (present day Ovorkhangai) in Eastern Mongolia. At a very young age, he was identified as the reincarnation of Taranatha, Lama of the Jonang school. His father was convinced that he was destined for religious life and at the age of 5 he received his novice vows. When he turned 15, he was sent to Tibet where he stayed for 8 years furthering his education under many great masters. He eventually received his full ordination from the Fourth Panchen Lama. He was also well-acquainted with the Fifth Dalai Lama, who influenced his conversion to the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
In 1657 when Zanabazar returned to Mongolia, he brought back with him over 600 artisans and eminent monks of the Gelug school. Under his supervision, he initiated the construction of Gelug school monasteries in many areas such as Ulaanbaatar and expanded the already existing Erdene Zuu Monastery, making it the center of the Gelug school. While propagating the Dharma, Zanabazar maintained his passion for the arts. In addition to constructing monasteries, creating sculptures, designing monastic attire, and writing Buddhists hymns, he authored numerous written works on subjects such as language, art, and literature. According to his biography, he presented a golden statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva in the form of a Buddha to Emperor Kangxi (reigned 1661–1722) of the Qing dynasty in 1680. The statue possessed characteristics of Nepalese Newar and Indian Pala art and is considered to be elegant and proportionally accurate. It served as a model for later craftsmen and resulted in the establishment of the Zanabazar school of sculpture.
The famous gilded Manjusri Bodhisattva is now kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing. The majority of his other sculptures are preserved in the numerous museums and monasteries in Ulaanbaatar. In 1691 he was honored with the imperial title of “Khutuktu” and was responsible for all Buddhist affairs in Ulaanbaatar. Zanabazar was devoted to propagating Buddhism in Mongolia and greatly contributed to the development of religion and the arts.