Interviews conducted in UB with old monks / Ахмад лам нартай хийсэн ярилцлага

by Krisztina Teleki and Zsuzsa Majer

(2006 Spring, 2007 May, August and September)

The interviews in this report were recorded mostly in Ulaanbaatar and some in Zuunmodwith old monks or old ex-monks by Krisztina Teleki and Zsuzsa Majer in March 2006, and in May, August and September 2007. All in all 40 old monks living currently in Ulaanbaatar or in Zuunmod were interviewed in this way. It means that almost all old monks that are gathering today in Ulaanbaatar’s monasteries were interviewed. Some of them have passed away by 2007. Some were interviewed more than once (in 2006 and 2007, or twice in 2007).

Many of these interviews (31 in number) were recorded outside of and prior to (2006) the ACM project Documentation of Mongolian Monasteries but were offered for the project’s use. Of these 40 interviews, 19 were relevant to old monastic sites situated now in the aimags surveyed by team D (Öwörkhangai, Dundgow’ and parts of Töw), the others, 21 interviews, to monasteries situated in other aimags.

Interviews in 2006 and some even in 2007 were made by an old audio recorder (on cassettes). Those made in 2006 are digitalized by now. 2007 interviews are not digitalized yet.

All the interviews (except from those made in September, 2007) that were relevant to the aimags we surveyed, were written down in English (the main points of them, in about 1-5 A4 pages) and attached to the Registration forms of the given monasteries. Other interviews that were relevant to other aimags than Öwörkhangai, Dundgow’ and Töw have not been yet written down.

The authors keep every right to use these interviews recorded by them in Ulaanbaatar for their own scientific purposes.

Old ex-monks from all over the country who did not became monks again and are living currently in Ulaanbaatar are very difficult if not impossible to find though it is supposed there are many of them (more than the number of those who became monks again). It was outside the possibilities of the two researchers to find and interview all of them, so they only focused on old monks who gather today in one of the temples in Ulaanbaatar and are therefore possible to search for and reach.

Interviews conducted in 2006

31 old monks

Gandantegchenlin khiid: 9 monks

  • G. Dewasambuu, tsorj lam: (Khuuchid) Khambiin süm Sükhbaatar aimag, Erdenetsagaan sum + Khuuchid Khambiin khiid, Inner Mongolia, Shiliin gol aimag, Baruun khuuchid khoshuu + Aya Zandan Bandid gegeenii khiid in Züün Abaga khoshuu or Züün Beisiin khoshuu, Inner Mongolia

  • J. Dorjijantsan, shunlaiw of Idgaachoinzinlin datsan: Luu güngiin khüree, Arkhangai aimag, Battsengel sum (Rinchen 166, Batstsengeliin khüree, Luu güngiin khüree, Tarawchambuulin, place name: Khoit Tamir)

  • Gonchig, main disciplinary master of Dashchoimbel datsan: Gendenpeljeelin / Norowligbaalin monastery, Zawkhan aimag, Tsetsen uul sum (Rinchen 50 Tegshiin khüree (place name Tsagaannuur)) + Bogdiin khüree, Shüteenii aimag, Dashchoimbel datsan

  • Ts. Luwsan, monk of Dashchoimbel datsan: Khowdiin Shar süm/Ööldiin Shar süm, Khowd aimag center (Rinchen 30, Ööldiin shar süm, Ööldiin tügeemel amarjuulagch, place name Khowd khot)

  • L. Ishjamts: Ööldiin khüree/datsan / Gandanpuntsoglin, Khowd aimag, Erdenebüren sum (Rinchen 25, Ööldiin khüree, Erdenebürengiin khüree, Gandanpuntsaglin (place nem Khowd gol))

  • B. Süren, Gandan, Dundgow’ aimag, Delgertsogt sum, Tsakhiurtiin jas / Dorjdamba datsan / Awai eejiin jas / Dorjdamba khiid / Tsakhiriin khural and Delgeriin choir / Choir / Delgeriin choiriin khiid / Delger choiriin khiid

  • M. Menddawaa monk: Öwörkhangai aimag, Sain noyonii khüree / Uyangiin khüree / Sain khanii khüree, Khan khögshnii khüree / Gandan semplen, and some details on two other monasteries: Ush'khai / Ush akhai khiid / Uushkhai/ Züün ereetiin khural, Baruun ereetiin khural

  • M. Samdan: Dundgow’ aimag, Tsagaandelger sum, Baruun choir / Borjignii Baruun choir / Borjignii Baruun Janjin choir khiid / Bod' ikh amgalant khiid

  • Chimiddorj: ((Baruun-Sönödiin) Khar airagiin süm/khural / Gandandanjailin khiid, Dornogow’, Airag sum (an assembly after 1945)

Dashchoilin khiid: 5 monks

  • N. Dashtseren: Bogdiin khüree, Idgaachoinzinlin datsan, Choinkhorlin aimag, and Jagarmolomiin khural

  • Ts. Dashdorj, chowombo lam: Dundgow’ aimag, Khutagt lamiin khiid / Urd khiid / Dund khiid / Ongiin khutagt lamiin süm / Dashtseepe(l)lin / Ölziigöör arwijlagch khiid; (also provided data on Bari /Bragri (khamba) lamiin khiid / Khoit khiid / Khoid khiid / Bari /Bragri lam Damtsigdorjiin khiid / Gündüjambaalin; Khoshuu khiid / Dashpuntsoglin / Ölziigöör arwijuulagch khiid / Ongiin 3 khiidiin urd khiid / Gandanshaddüwlin / Tüshee wangiin khüree / Ongiin goliin khüree / Gaihamshigt sain bilegt süm)

  • Ch. Rinchinsüren: Duutiin khüree/ Sain itgemjit/ Gandandechlin, Zawkhan aimag, Tsagaankhairkhan sum (Rinchen 85, Duutiin khüree, Sain itgemjit, Gandandechlin, place name Shireech gol)

  • Puntsogdulamiin Luwsandanzan: Bogdiin khüree, Idgaachoinzinlin, Erkhem toinii aimag

  • Ya. Günaajaw, (presently inJanchüwish dashlkhündüwlin khiid, on the way to Kharkhorin): Khörkhröögiin khiid/ Khökhröö or Khürkhre goliin khiid, Gow’-Altai aimag, Chandman’ sum (Rinchen 907, Khökhröö goliin khiid, Khürkheree goliin khiid, place name Khürkhree gol)

Lamrim datsan: 9 monks

  • Kh. Gombo, Lamrim datsan lowon lam, Öwörkhangai, Kharkhorin sum, Baruun khüree / Ribogejigandanshaddüwlin / Tüsheet khanii khüree / Shankhiin khüree (Rinchen 844, Baruun khüree, tüsheet khanii khüree, Erdenebuchiigandanshadublin, Shankhiin khüree, place name Shankh uul) and Öwörkhangai, Kharkhorin sum, Noyon lamiin Puntsogdarjaalin and Arkhangai aimag, Khashaat sum, Nomgonii khiid

  • Ny. Dashnyam, main disciplinary master: Bogdiin khüree, Idgaachoinzinlin datsan, Düinkhor aimag

  • Yo. Jambaa (died by 2007): Öwörkhangai aimag, Sant sum, Zeerengiin khiid / Zeerengiin süm

  • T. Badamsed: Nömrögiin khüree/ Samdanpuntsoglin/ Khatawchiin khüree/ Tsogtoi wangiin khüree, Zawkhan aimag, Nömrög sum (Rinchen 53, Nömrögiin khüree, Khatawchiin khüree, Tsogtoi wangiin khüree, place nem Khatawchiin am)

  • G. Tsendsüren: Baatar khoshuunii khiid, Khentii aimag, Jargaltiin am (Rinchen ?)

  • O. Indree, Lamrim datsan: Dungdgow’ aimag, Deren sum, Jadambiin khiid / Jadambiin jas / Jadamba khiid

  • Tünaadegd, Lamrim datsan, Öwörkhangai aimag,Taragt sum, Gandandashchoilin datsan / Züün khural / Khar usnii khiid and öwörkhangai, Taragt sum (also provided data on Baruun khural / Ulaan lamiin khiid / Khadatiin örtöö süm / Khadatiin örtöö khural)

  • Ö. Bat-Ochir: Öwörkhangai aimag, Ölziit sum, Beilin khüree / Beeliin khüree / Ilden beiliin (khoshuunii) khüree / Ölziit khüree / Ribo geji/gejee gandan norowlin

  • Ts. Günchin, Lamrim datsan: Dundgow’ aimag, Khuld sum, Mengetiin khiid / Mengetiin khural + Bogdiin khüree: Züün khüree, Süngiin aimag, Düinkhor datsan

Puntsoglin khiid: 1 monk

  • A. Tserendorj, lowon lam: Darawbandid khiid/ Daraw bandid gegeenii khüree, or Rashaantiin khüree, Dashdarjaalin, Khöwsgöl aimag, Rashaant sum centre (Rinchen 132, Rashaantiin khüree, Bandid gegeenii khüree, Dashdarjaalin, sum centre)

Manba datsan: 1 monk

  • S. Dagwa (Gergen lam) Mamba datsan-Ikh toiruu: Dundgow’ aimag, Saintsagaan sum, Mökhiin khiid / Khuwilgaan khiid / Mökhiin jas / Mökhiin khural Mökhiin khiid and Dundgow’, Delgertsogt sum, Delgeriin choir / Choir / Delgeriin choiriin khiid / Delger choiriin khiid + Bogdiin khüree, Toisamlin aimag, Dashchoimbel datsan

Dambadarjaa khiid: 2 monks

  • G. Ochir-Danzan, Dambadarjaa, tsorj lam: Bulgan aimag, Erdenet khot, Erdene-toin lamiin khiid, Noyon khutagt lamiin khüree, Khutagt lamiin khiid (Rinchen 256, Lamiin khiid, Soyoliig ileerkhiilegch, Gandanchoimbollin, place name Khangal gol) + Bogdiin khüree, Noyonii aimag, Dashchoimbel datsan

  • G. Galsan: Usan züiliin khüree, Gow’-Altai aimag, Tonkhil sum (Rinchen 886, Züiliin khüree, usan züiliin khüree, Jalchin beisiin lkhüree, Daichin wangiin khüree, Gandanrawjaachoinkhorlin, place name Züil)

Zuunmod, Dashchoinkhorlin khiid: 4 monks

  • Ts. Tserenpuntsog, khamba lam: Bogdiin khüree, Amdo nariin aimag, Güngaachoilin datsan

  • Ts. Dorj (died by 2007): Töw aimag, Manzshir khiid + Bogdiin khüree, Jüd datsan

  • B. Shirawnamjil: Dundgow’ aimag, Tsagaandelger sum, Baruun choir / Borjignii Baruun choir / Borjignii Baruun Janjin choir khiid / Bod' ikh amgalant khiid

  • Choisüren: Bogdiin khüree, Dashchoimbel datsan, Süngiin aimag, Gandan

 

Re-interviews conducted in May, August, September 2007

(all these monks were all already interviewed in 2006, therefore more recordings exists, with very detailed data gained)

18 old monks

  • Ts. Günchin, Lamrim datsan: Dundgow’ aimag, Khuld sum, Mengetiin khiid / Mengetiin khural + Bogdiin khüree: Züün khüree, Süngiin aimag, Düinkhor datsan

  • O. Indree, Lamrim datsan: Dungdgow’ aimag, Deren sum, Jadambiin khiid / Jadambiin jas / Jadamba khiid

  • Gonchig, Gandantegchenlin khiid, Dashchoimbel gesgüi: Zawkhan aimag, Tsetsen uul sum, Tegshiin khüree / Norowlin/ Norowlingalin (Rinchen 50 Tegshiin khüree (place name Tsagaannuur) + Bogdin khüree, Dashchoimbel datsan, Shüteenii aimag (also provided data on Yaruugiin khüree and Galuutai khiid)

  • Ya. Günaajaw, Dashcholin khiid (presently inJanchüwish dashlkhündüwlin khiid, on the way to Kharkhorin): Gow’-Altai aimag, Chandman’ sum Khörkhröögiin khiid/ Khökhröö or Khürkhree goliin khiid (Rinchen 907, Khökhröö goliin khiid, Khürkheree goliin khiid, place name Khürkhree gol). + Also provided data on Nomun khanii khiid (Beger sum Rinchen 902, Nomun khanii khüree, place name Bayanbuural))

  • S. Dagwa (Gergen lam) Mamba datsan-Ikh toiruu: Dundgow’ aimag, Saintsagaan sum, Mökhiin khiid / Khuwilgaan khiid / Mökhiin jas / Mökhiin khural Mökhiin khiid and Dundgow’, Delgertsogt sum, Delgeriin choir / Choir / Delgeriin choiriin khiid / Delger choiriin khiid + Bogdiin khüree, Toisamlin aimag, Dashchoimbel datsan

  • Ch. Rinchinsüren, Dashchoilin: Zawkhan aimag, Tsagaan khairkhan sum, Nayan duutiin khüree (Rinchen 85, Duutiin khüree, Sain itgemjit, Gandandechlin, place name Shireech gol) + Also provided data on Agtiin khüree (Rinchen 86, Tasagaankhairkhan sum, Achitiin khüree, Ag’tiin khüree, place name Achit gol) and Yaruugiin khüree (Rinchen 84, Aldarkhaan sum, Yaruugiin khüree, Dashpuntsaglin, place name Yaruugiin gol)

  • A. Tserendorj, Puntsoglin khiid: Khöwsgöl aimag, Rashaant sum centre, Darawpandid khiid/ Daraw bandid gegeenii khüree / Rashaantiin khüree (Rinchen 132, Rashaantiin khüree, Bandid gegeenii khüree, Dashdarjaalin, sum centre)

  • G. Ochir-Danzan, Dambadarjaa, tsorj lam: Bulgan aimag, Erdenet khot, Erdene-toin lamiin khiid, Noyon khutagt lamiin khüree, Khutagt lamiin khiid (Rinchen 256, Lamiin khiid, Soyoliig ileerkhiilegch, Gandanchoimbollin, place name Khangal gol) + Bogdiin khüree, Noyonii aimag, Dashchoimbel datsan

  • G. Galsan, Dambadarjaa: Usan züiliin khüree, Gow’-Altai aimag, Tonkhil sum (Rinchen 886, Züiliin khüree, Usan züiliin khüree, Jalchin beisiin lkhüree, Daichin wangiin khüree, Gandanrawjaachoinkhorlin, place name Züil)

  • M. Menddawaa monk: Öwörkhangai aimag, Sain noyonii khüree / Uyangiin khüree / Sain khanii khüree, Khan khögshnii khüree / Gandan semplen, and some details on two other monasteries: Ush'khai / Ush akhai khiid / Uushkhai/ Züün ereetiin khural, Baruun ereetiin khural

  • Ts. Tserepuntsog, Zuunmod, Dashchoinkhorlin khiid, Bogdiin khüree, Anduu nariin aimag, Gandan, Güngaachoilin datsan + Baraatiin jas / Bayanbaratiin khural Rinchen 406 (also provided data on Ejirgiin jas / Ijirgiin jas / Öndördawaanii khural; Dalai eejiin jas; Güyengiin jas / khural; TÖBÖ014 Khalzan gelengiin jas / khural; Shine usnii jas / khural; Öwör gandan (khiid))

  • Choisüren, Zuunmod, Dashchoinkhorlin khiid, Bogdiin khüree, Süngiin aimag, Dashchoimbel datsan

  • B. Shirawnamjil, Zuunmod, Dashchoinkhorlin khiid, Dundgow' aimag, Tsagaandelger sum, Baruun Choir khiid, and some details on: Dar' ekhiin jas / Dar' ekhiin khural, Zülegtiin jas / Zülegtiin khural / Tulgan jas /Tulgiin jas / Tulga khural / Bayan uulin jas, Lowongiin jas (Khaldain khural? / Tsegeenii khural?), (Züün) Cheejiin/ Tseejiin / Sheejiin jas / Tsagaan ergiin khiid?, Baruun Cheejiin/ Tseejiin / Sheejiin jas, Uutiin jas / Züün tsoor khural (Ikh ereenii khural), Ukhaatai jas / Ikh Zalaagiin jas, Mujiin jas

  • Tünaadegd, Lamrim datsan, Öwörkhangai aimag,Taragt sum, Gandandashchoilin datsan / Züün khural / Khar usnii khiid (also provided data on Baruun khural / Ulaan lamiin khiid / Khadatiin örtöö süm / Khadatiin örtöö khural)

  • B. Süren, Gandan, Dundgow’ aimag, Delgertsogt sum, Tsakhiurtiin jas / Dorjdamba datsan / Awai eejiin jas / Dorjdamba khiid / Tsakhiriin khural and DUDTS034 Delgeriin choir / Choir / Delgeriin choiriin khiid / Delger choiriin khiid

  • Kh. Gombo, Lamrim datsan lowon lam, Öwörkhangai aimag, Kharkhorin sum, Baruun khüree / Ribogejigandanshaddüwlin / Tüsheet khanii khüree / Shankhiin khüree and Öwörkhangai, Kharkhorin sum, Noyon lamiin Puntsogdarjaalin and Arkhangai, Khashaat sum, Nomgonii khiid (Rinchen 844, Baruun khüree, Tüsheet khanii khüree, Erdenebuchiigandanshadublin, Shankhiin khüree, place name Shankh uul))

  • Ts. Dashdorj, Dashchoilin chowombo lam: Dundgow’ aimag, Khutagt lamiin khiid / Urd khiid / Dund khiid / Ongiin khutagt lamiin süm / Dashtseepe(l)lin / Ölziigöör arwijlagch khiid; (also provided data on Bari /Bragri (khamba) lamiin khiid / Khoit khiid / Khoid khiid / Bari /Bragri lam Damtsigdorjiin khiid / Gündüjambaalin; Khoshuu khiid / Dashpuntsoglin / Ölziigöör arwijuulagch khiid / Ongiin 3 khiidiin urd khiid / Gandanshaddüwlin / Tüshee wangiin khüree / Ongiin goliin khüree / Gaihamshigt sain bilegt süm)

  • G. Tsendsüren, Lamrim datsan: Khentii aimag, Jargalant sum, Baatariin datsan / Baatar khoshuunii khiid / Baatariin datsan / Puntsogdechinlin (not marked on Rinchen ?)

 

New Interviews conducted in Ulaaanbaatar in May, August, September 2007

9 old monks

  • Dashirinchen /Dashrinchen, Dambadarjaalin khiid, khamba lam: Zawkhan aimag, Uliastai, Yaruugiin khüree (Rinchen 84, Aldarkhaan sum, Yaruugiin khüree, Dashpuntsaglin, place name Yaruugiin gol)

  • Luwsangiin Chimedrawdan, Dashchoilin, tsorj lam: Khöwsgöl aimag, Tsetserleg sum, Düüregch wangiin khüree (Rinchen 112, Tesiin khüree, Düüregch wangiin khüree, Dashlin, place name Tesiin gol)

  • Darjaagiin Gonchig, Lamrim datsan: Dundgow’ aimag, Khuld sum, Mengetiin khiid/khural

  • O. (Oshiin) Choijamts, Gandanshadüwlin khiid: Dundgow’ aimag, Saintsagaan sum, Ganjuur khiid/khural (also provided data on: Dundgow’ aimag, Saintsagaan sum, Mökhiin khiid / Khuwilgaan khiid / Mökhiin jas / Mökhiin khural)

  • Lkhamsüren, Dashchoilin: Töw aimag, Lün sum, Tsagaan tolgoin jas/ khural? (Rinchen 385, Tsagaan tolgoin khural, place name Dowon tolgoi) (also provided data on 5 smaller jas monasteries in Lün sum, and Bogdiin khüree, Zoogoin aimag, Dashchoimbel datsan)

Luwsangüngaa (sakhiliin ner), Gandan, tsogchin: Khöwsgöl aimag, Tömörbulag sum, Dashgendunjambaalin khiid/ Bügsiin khüree / Teeliin khural (Rinchen 135, Teeliin khural, place name Bügsein gol) (situated at Teeliin am)

  • Altangerel, Gandan, Idgaachoinzinlin datsan, gesgüi: Zawkhan aimag, Elderkhan, Yaruugiin khüree (Rinchen 84, Aldarkhaan sum, Yaruugiin khüree, Dashpuntsaglin, place name Yaruugiin gol)

  • Kh. Banzar monk: Dundgow' aimag, Deren sum, Khögtst dekh' zodiin khural / Naran Khögtst, and some details on: Zaraagiin zülegt dekh' zodiin khural, Delgeriin choir / Choir / Delgeriin choiriin khiid / Delger choiriin khiid, Lowonchimbiin süm / Südtei am dakh' süm / Sajaa mor't / Mor'chin dorjiin khiid, Tegshiin khiid / Tegshiin jas / Genden puntsaglin

  • S. Norjmaa monk: ÖKHÖT006 Öwörkhangai aimag, Ölziit sum, Baruun khural / Yargaitiin süm, and Öwörkhangai aimag, Yesönzüil sum, Yesön züiliin khural / Yesön züiliin khüree / Dashgüngaadechlen / Yesön züiliin süm. Also on Gandan legshed Dashchoilin, Züün khural (Yargait), ÖKHYEZ010 Dashgüngaadejidlin, Öwgön suwraga / Yesönzüiliin suwraga / Öwgön tsagaan suwraga / Öwgön suwragnii khural / Öndör gegeenii khüi darsan suwraga