Erdene Zuu was the first monastery of Tibetan Buddhist Gelukpa sect to have been founded in Mongolia. It was commissioned by Altai Khaan in 1586 by the decree of 5th Dalai Lama and was built on the ruins of Karakorum, the ancient capital of Mongol Empire. Gelukpa Buddhism spread in Mongolia rapidly and by 1792 there were 62 temples, over 500 buildings within the monastery grounds and almost 10000 monks were in residence in its peak.
During 1930s religious purge a good portion of the monastery was destroyed but fortunately some of the main temples were left untouched and good number of statues, tsam masks and thangkas were saved. Some of the precious artifacts and books were buried in the mountains or stored in local homes, regardless of the high risk of punishment if discovered.
In 1965, the monastery was permitted to reopen as a museum to preserve part of Mongolian culture and since the collapse of communism in 1990 it once again became an active worshipping place. But in no ways it comes near to what it was before the damage from local lords' wars and the purge. The remaining main temples date from the 16th century and most of the artifacts inside including paintings, thangkas, masks etc— are from 18-19th century.
Surrounded by its wonderous 108 white stupas, today Erdene Zuu Monastery attracts local worshippers and curious tourists alike, remaining as the oldest and one of the most beautiful monasteries in the country.
Erdene Zuu Monastery
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