Zayiin Gegeen Monastery

Art & Culture
munkhzul@montsame.gov.mn
2020-05-05 15:10:58

Arkhangai /MONTSAME/. The Zayiin Gegeen Monastery was founded north of the Tamir River near the Bulgan Mountain by Begtesjav Sain Noyon Khaan, the second son of Tumenkhen Sain Noyon in 1631. With expansions in their activities throughout the years of 1679-1930, it became one of the biggest Khalkh monasteries. Alongside 26 temples that could be named under the Zayiin Gegeen Khuree in 6 aimags, there also used to be various buildings and accommodation for monks.

The Lavrin (the palace of the Holy Teacher) and Guden (shrine) of the monastery were established by Zay bandida khutagt Luvsanperenlei in the late 17th century in 1696. The two-story Lavrin temple is now called the three temples of the Deity.

As for the third structure of the current Zayiin Gegeen Monastery, it was established by the 4th Zay bandida khutagt Luvsanjigmeddorj (1766-1803) in 1802. The building was initially built with three stories, with the lower two floors built with mudbrick. Following their arrival in 1907, a group of apprentices of Zay bandida khutagt Luvsanperenlei brought down the third floor of Semchun palace to renovate it as a small temple. While the western wing of Semchun was used for chants and prayer meetings, the eastern wing was settled on as a warehouse to store carriages and litters (vehicle).


With false accusations of monks as conspirators against the revolution from 1937, all temples and monasteries were taken down, putting the assets and structures under public ownership. During this time, the Lavrin, Guden and Semchun palace of Zay Khuree was used as a fire station, auto garage, and warehouse for food and produce.


The remaining structures of the Zayiin Gegeen Monastery have been operated as the Local Studies Hall from 1967, and the Local Studies Museum of Arkhangai aimag from 1997.