Gandanshadüvlin, Buddhist monastery in Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Gandanshadüvlin is a Buddhist monastery located in Ulaanbaatar's Bayangol District that houses extensive collections of religious texts and works. The complex combines multiple buildings and temple structures containing more than 70,000 Buddhist manuscripts and woodblock prints.
The monastery was founded in 1809 and remained the only active religious center in Mongolia during the communist period from 1944 onwards. This endurance made it a vital place for the continuity of Buddhism in the country through many difficult decades.
This monastery follows the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and its name comes from Ganden Monastery in Tibet, meaning complete rejoicing. Visitors can observe how monks practice their daily prayers and see the elaborate decorations inside the temples that reflect this religious tradition.
More than 100 resident monks conduct daily prayers, religious ceremonies, and educational activities across the grounds. Visitors should expect a quiet and focused environment where you can observe ongoing religious practices while being respectful of those activities.
A 26.5 meter tall statue of Avalokitesvara from 1996 stands as the central figure, replacing an earlier version destroyed during religious persecution. This restoration of the monument symbolizes the revival of religious life after a long period of suppression.
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