Ustuu Khuree and Labrang Monastery: Early Twentieth-Century Partnership

Introduction. Ustuu-Khuree Monastery rightfully holds a special place in the history of Tuva. As the largest monastery in Western Uriankhai, in the early twentieth century it became a spiritual enlightenment center to serve as starting point for a number of prominent state and public figures of the Tuvan People’s Republic. The monastery’s structure, Buddhist education system and clergy have been described in fairly great detail by historians and religion scholars. However, the interaction between Ustuu-Khuree-based clergy and priests of Mongolia and Tibet remains somewhat understudied to date. Only the introduction of previously unknown historical sources into scientific circulation makes it possible to establish that there had been close spiritual ties between Ustuu-Khuree and Labrang Monastery (Tibet). Goals. The article attempts a detailed description of Tuvan-Tibetan spiritual ties through the example of cooperation between Ustuu-Khuree and Labrang. To facilitate this, the paper shall clarify the dates of Tibetan clerics’ visits to Tuva, consider forms, methods and results of their activities in the region. Materials and methods. The main historical sources are unique interrogation records of Tuvan priests who would be charged with counterrevolutionary crimes over the years. So, the latter specify the date when two Tibetan Lamas from Labrang — Fourth Nyendak San and Fifth Denbiy Nyima Kuntang Rinpoche characterized as revered reincarnate spiritual masters — arrived in Tuva at the invitation of Daa Khoshun’s ruler Khaidip and local Buddhist hierarchs. Both general scientific and specific historical research methods and approaches have been employed. The comparative historical method has proved instrumental in analyzing archival documents to reconstruct actual historical processes, identify the ties between Ustuu-Khuree and Labrang as such, and correlate messages from different sources. The chronological method shows some essential transformations of the monastery and its integration into Tibetan Buddhism’s agenda in order of time through the Tuvan clergy’s efforts and those of invited masters from Tibet. Results. The work identifies some key directions of activity endeavored by the Tibetan Lamas for the development and strengthening of Buddhism in early twentieth century Tuva. They took part in the opening of Ustuu-Khuree’s temples — the main clay temple and Tsanit Datsan. Rev. Nyendak San would organize the educational process on foundations of Tibetan medicine. The Tuvan clergy requested Rev. Denbiy Nyima Kuntang Rinpoche to compile a Tibetan-language text to deliver blessings upon certain territories, mountains and rivers. The Ritual [Text] of San-Offering to Tandy’s Master Spirits is still being used by local Buddhist priests. In addition, the Tibetan hierarchs gave detailed instructions for further development of Buddhism in Tuva — the construction of temples, sending of Tuvan novices to large monastic universities in Tibet and Mongolia.

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