Who was Dulduityn Danzanravjaa?

Dulduityn Danzanravjaa was born into a poor family and begged with his father until the age of 5. He was recognized as the reincarnation of Gobi Noyon Khutagt, when he wanted his horseback from a monk. When asked why, he talked about his previous incarnations. Since the recognition of reincarnations were forbidden during the Qing dynasty, he was hidden from them under the disguise “Noyon Tsorj monk” but was revealed to the Qing emperor. The emperor decreed to have him examined by Dalai Lama, Bogd Gegeen and Banchinbogd and if he turns out to be false, to have him executed on the spot. Three spiritual leaders of Buddhism came to examine him and unanimously agreed that he was indeed the reincarnation of Gobi Noyon Khutagt. Danzanravjaa studied Buddhism until he was 16 and concluded that Red hat sect o Nyingma school of Buddhism is most suitable for Mongolia.

Danzanravjaa was an educator, poet, painter, composer, harsh critic of Mongolian society and Fifth Noyon Khutagt lama of the Gobi. He supported the idea of public education and respect for women and he wrote more than 300 poems, 10 books of plays and more than 100 songs. In 1820, at the age of 17, he built the Khamar Monastery in Uvur Khamar, and in 1840, in Khanbogd, South Gobi, he built eight large monasteries, including Demchog Monastery, Tsagaan Tolgoi Monastery, and Ereet Monastery.

He died under mysterious circumstances. It is often claimed that he was murdered by poisoning, which is possible since he had many enemies during his lifetime. He was unpopular with the Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty. However, there is no definitive evidence that his death was from murder, suicide, or simply illness. His remains are kept in the museum of Sainshand.