18 Facts About Zanabazar

The son of a Mongol Tusheet Khan, Zanabazar was declared spiritual leader of Khalkha Mongols by a convocation of nobles in 1639 when he was just four years old.

Zanabazar is best known for his intricate and elegant Buddhist sculptures created in the Nepali-derived style, two of the most famous being the White Tara and Varajradhara, sculpted in the 1680s.

Zanabazar used his artistic output to promote Buddhism among all levels of Khalkha society and unify Khalkha Mongol tribes during a time of social and political turmoil.

Zanabazar was born in 1635 in present-day Yesonzuil, Ovorkhangai, Mongolia.

In 1649, Zanabazar was sent to Tibet to receive personal instruction from the 5th Dalai Lama and the 4th Panchen Lama at Drepung Monastery.

Zanabazar established seven aimags to oversee his religious institutions; the Department of the Treasury, Department of Administration, Department of Meals, Department of the Honored Doctor, Department of Amdo, Department of Orlog and the Department of Khuukhen Noyon.

Zanabazar's authority was further substantiated in 1658 when he presided over a convocation of nobles at Erdene Zuu and a year later he conferred titles on nobles at Olziit Tsagaan Nuur.

Zanabazar remained in China, wintering in Beijing and passing his summers with the Kangxi Emperor at Jehol as his spiritual mentor.

Zanabazar returned to Khalkha Mongolia only once during this period, in 1699, to attend the funeral of his elder brother, Tusheet Khan Chankhuundorj.

At age 66, Zanabazar finally resettled in Khalkha Mongolia in 1701 to supervise restoration of the Erdene Zuu Monastery.

Zanabazar pledged 100,000 liang of silver to the monastery's construction, which was not completed until a year after his own death in 1736.

Zanabazar's body was finally laid to rest there in 1779.

Zanabazar's remains were allegedly removed and burned in the hills nearby.

At his height, Zanabazar was recognized as a sculptor par excellence among the Buddhist countries of Asia and the greatest sculptor of Mongolia He is sometimes referred to as the Michelangelo of Asia as he epitomized the Mongolian Renaissance.

Zanabazar's sculptures, portraying peaceful and contemplative female figures, are beautifully proportioned with facial features characterized by high foreheads, thin, arching eyebrows, high- bridged noses, and small, fleshy lips.

Zanabazar established unique features for Mongolian Buddhism including Tibetan influenced yet redesigned lama robes, reworked melodies for chanting, and modifications of traditional ceremonies either in the melodies or by the introduction of new prayer texts which he composed.

Today, Zanabazar is viewed as one of Mongolia's most prominent historical figures, celebrated for propagating Tibetan Buddhism throughout Mongolia while reshaping it to fit Mongolian sensibilities, thereby establishing for the Mongols a unique cultural identity.

In 2009 a genus of dinosaur Zanabazar, the remains of which were discovered in Mongolia, was named after him.