Today, about one percent of the population of Russia is Buddhists. Buddhism is a widespread world religion, but very little is known about it in Russia. There are also few Buddhist temples in our country. This is due to historical and political reasons. The most famous are Buddhist temples in St. Petersburg, Buryatia, Kalmykia, the Irkutsk region and the Trans-Baikal Territory. With their exotic beauty, they attract not only Buddhists from Russia, but also pilgrims from all over the world, as well as tourists who are far from this religion. Consider the most famous such temples in our country.
Buddhist temples in St. Petersburg
Today, guests and residents of St. Petersburg can visit a rather unusual attraction for Russia - a Buddhist temple. It is known as Datsan Gunzechoynei and became the first such institution in Europe.
Initially, adherents of this religion began to appear in St. Petersburg as early as the 18th century, when the Peter and Paul Fortress was just under construction. There were few Buddhists in the city at that time, only about 75 people (in 1897). In the first decade of the twentieth century, their number grew to almost two hundred people. Among them there were many foreigners who came from Eastern countries, as well as Buryats, Kalmyks and representatives of the Buddhist movement, which was fashionable at that time, - neo-Buddhism.
The history of the St. Petersburg Buddhist temple
The number of Buddhists was growing rapidly, but these people did not have their own temple where they could pray. In 1900, the Buryat Lama Avgan Dorzhiev, who was the representative of the Dalai Lama in Russia, received permission to build the first Buddhist chapel in St. Petersburg. The Dalai Lama himself donated money for the construction, as well as believers from all over Russia.
However, the construction of the datsan (Buddhist temple) began only in 1909. The architects were G. Baranovsky and Berezovsky N.M., who created their project in accordance with the canons of Tibet architecture. The construction of the temple was also under the scientific supervision of a specially created committee of oriental scholars.
The construction of the datsan was fraught with many difficulties and was completed only in 1915. Despite this, the first services were held there in 1913.
In 1915, the temple was consecrated, and the rector became Avgan Dorzhiev. However, he did not act long for religious purposes. The Soviet period was a difficult time for the Buddhists of Russia. Already in 1916, they began to leave St. Petersburg. In 1919, Datsan Gunzechoynei was plundered, but in the 1920s – 1930s began to function again for religious purposes. In 1935, the temple was finally closed, and all Buddhist monks were repressed.
During the Patriotic War, a military radio station was located in the church, and only in 1968 the datsan building was declared an architectural monument, and in 1990 the temple was handed over to Buddhists, and it again began to work for religious purposes.
Datsan Gunsechoynei these days
If you want to visit the Buddhist temples in St. Petersburg, then you should definitely pay attention to the Datsan Gunsechoynei. It is the largest Buddhist attraction in the city. Buddhist philosophy teachers from Tibet come there with lectures. The monks of the temple daily pray for the health of the living and for the safe rebirth of the dead. Here you can also make an appointment with an astrologer or a doctor - a specialist in traditional Tibetan medicine.
Today anyone can visit this place. Buddhist temple Datsan Gunzechoynei is open every day from 10.00 to 19.00 (day off - Wednesday). The temple has an official website on the Internet, where you can find the schedule of all prayers and hurals taking place there. You can visit this Buddhist temple for free. Photography and video inside the datsan is prohibited.
Of course, the temple will amaze you with its beauty and oriental flavor. On the territory you can see an interesting attraction - Buddhist drums filled with sacred grass and paper, on which the mantra "Om Name Padme Hum" is written 10, 800 times. To attract happiness, you need to spin each drum at least once.
In addition, you can visit not only Buddhist temples in St. Petersburg, but also communities of followers of this religion.
Buddhist temples in Moscow
Today, about 20 thousand people professing Buddhism live in Moscow. However, they do not have their own temple, and there are only religious centers. By 2015, two Buddhist temples are planned to be built in the capital. The first will be located on Poklonnaya Hill, and the second - in Otradnoye.
Both churches will be built on donations. They will complement the already existing religious complexes in those places, which currently consist of Orthodox churches, Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques.
The first temple, which will be located on Poklonnaya Hill, will be dedicated to the Buddhists who died in the Great Patriotic War. It is planned to build a chapel for the monks on the ground floor, and organize an exhibition on the heroes of World War II on the second floor.
Ivolginsky datsan in Buryatia
One of the most famous Buddhist temples in Russia is the Ivolginsky datsan. It is located in Buryatia, a few hours drive from Ulan-Ude. This place is of great importance for pilgrims not only from Russia, but also from all over the world.
Ivolginsky datsan was erected in 1945 and became the first Buddhist temple, opened in Soviet times. Today anyone can visit him. It provides tours specifically for tourists. Ivolginsky Buddhist temple, the photo of which is given below, few people can leave indifferent. On the territory of the datsan, you can take pictures, twist special prayer drums and buy souvenirs.
