The first Bogd Javzandamba Khutuktu, Undur Gegeen Zanabazar is one of Mongolia’s most remarkable and versatile figures. He was Mongolian spiritual leader, scholar, philosopher, linguist, and architect, sculptor, musician, and painter.

He was born in 1635, the year of wood pig of the eleventh sexagenarian cycle, as grandson of Abatai Khan, a direct descendant of the golden lineage of Chinggis Khan, and son to Tusheet khan Gombodorj and queen Khandjamts.

At the age of three, he was deemed to be a possible gegeen (saint). He could recite the praise of Manjushri having no one taight him, and at the age of four could read mantras in both Indian and Tibetan languages. He was proclaimed the reincarnation of the Jebtsun Kunga Nyingpo manifested in Tibet and India since the time of Buddha Shakyamuni.

When Zanabazar reached the age of five in 1639, the year of yellow rabbit, he was enthroned as the head of religion at Shireet Tsagaan Lake, current Uvurkhangai province Esonzuil soum area. Upon his enthronement as Bogd, 108 young men were given him as disciples from Tusheet Khan, hence began the origin of the Bogd’s great disciples. The “Urguu” (palace-residence) built for him at the pleasant location of Shireet Tsgaan Lake between the great and small Mongol mountains. The “Urguu” was a mobile monastery settlement and became the foundation of today’s capital Ulaanbaatar.

Great sculptor: At the age of 14, he was sent to Tibet to study Buddhism under the Dalai Lama. While in Tibet, Zanabazar learnt the skills of bronze casting. 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.He also invented Soyombo, the national symbol of Mongolia, and reformed the Mongolian script. He was also a political figure.

Architectural heritage: – He established several temples and monasteries throughout the great steppe of Mongolia. Many of them destroyed during the tensions between Khalkh Mongol and Zuungar Mongol (Western Mongolia). His cultural and religious heritages that could persisted today are: In Tövkhön monastery, built in 1651, at the age of 16.

Ikh Khuree in Khentii Mountain Range, built in 1653 at the age of 19. At his 67, he built Zuun Khuree monastery. He also supervised the restoration of the Erdene Zuu Monastery.

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. He created Mongolian unique cultural identity through Buddhism.