My Journey to Buddhism - #club100

Сегодня у нас будет необычное путешествие. Не только посещение важного места, но и прикосновение к чему-то необычному. Сегодня это будут традиции буддизма, но только их внешняя видимая сторона. Я не являюсь адептом буддизма, как и любой другой мировой религии. Но это не значит, что я живу без Бога. Просто для общения с ним мне не нужны посредники. Я могу обратиться к нему своими мыслями и мы будем общаться.

Итак, мы посетим сегодня Дацан Гунзэчойнэй, который находится в Санкт-Петербурге.

The architectural project of the temple in accordance with the canons of Tibetan architecture was developed in 1909 by a student of the Institute of Civil Engineers N. M. Berezovsky and architect G. V. Baranovsky, the author of the project of the Eliseevsky grocery store on Nevsky. The construction was led by G. V. Baranovsky and R. A. Berzen (at the final stage). The funds needed for the construction were donated by Dorzhiev himself (30 thousand rubles), the Dalai Lama XIII (50 thousand rubles), the VIII Bogdo Gegen of Urga and collected among believers in Buryatia and Kalmykia. However, the actual costs far exceeded the amount indicated in the estimate by 151,694 rubles.

Construction continued from 1909 to 1915. The first Buddhist service was held on February 21, 1913 in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. The Buddha statue for the newly opened temple was donated by King Rama VI of Siam[1]. The consecration of the temple took place on August 10, 1915. Lama Agvan Lobsan Dorzhiev himself became the first abbot (shireete).

Near the entrance to the Datsan, the road was being repaired and we had to walk around the building. But I have the opportunity to show it to you from all sides.

Of course, this type of architecture is not typical for the city. But in St. Petersburg there is a very large mixture of styles, denominations, eras ... so, nothing surprising. But let's go to the inner courtyard.

I am familiar with the Buddhist tradition of tying ribbons on trees. I don’t know for sure what this structure means, but apparently it has something in common with tying ribbons and making wishes. These bright rags are located to the left of the entrance to the courtyard.

Someone calls it a "prayer drum", someone - a "prayer wheel". For Tibetans, this is the "wheel of Mani", and for the Mongols, Kalmyks and Buryats - "khurde". But no matter how it is called, the essence remains the same - this is an important attribute in Buddhism.
It is a cylindrical product made of wood or metal of absolutely any size - from a few centimeters to several meters. Fragments of mantras are applied to its outer, visible part, and inside it contains a folded thin sheet, on which prayers are also written, repeated many (sometimes up to a million) times and turning into a cycle.
Khurde contains the sacred meaning of incredible power - one revolution is equivalent to pronouncing an infinite number of mantras written on the bundle.

These prayer wheels are located along the perimeter of the courtyard. You should go clockwise and spin each of these reels.

This guy's name is Shi Tza. I do not know how his name is translated into European languages, but it sounds beautiful. I mean the guy who sits on top of the censer - the hearth in which the incense smokes. This hearth is located almost in the center of the temple courtyard.

And this is one of the two senior Shi Tzu, they guard the entrance to the temple. Look at the expression on this lion's face, he's serious. But I decided to take a chance and go inside the datsan. Photography is prohibited there, but I couldn't resist showing you what's inside. Just a couple of shots, forgive me the monks, lamas and faithful guards of Shi Tza.

Чтобы вы могли сориентироваться на месте, я покажу вам карту города и точку, где находится это место.

By the way, on the second floor of the datsan, lamas receive visitors who seek solutions to everyday problems or health problems. They do not charge for this, but accept symbolic donations (if the visitor himself wishes).

The atmosphere in this datsan is very calm and friendly. You don't have to be a Buddhist to be there. Just come.

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Location	Russia
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Regards, @bambuka