The lecture-discussion of the “Student Researcher” scholarship program for the 13th academic year of the first semester took place successfully on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, from 18:00 to 20:30 at AMT.

                 The guest lecturer for the event was Dr. (Ph.D.), Associate Professor D. Ganbold, Director of the Mongolian Studies Institute at the Mongolian University of Education (MUBIS). He gave a lecture on the topic “A Brief Study of Bat Süzegt Bandiida Hamba Jamyangarav.” He also donated two books to the center’s academic library: The Historical Footprints of Mongolia's Nomadic Herding and The Tale of the Youth Oyu Chikht Khan among other monuments of Mongolian classical literature.

The content of the lecture can be summarized as follows:

                       Bat Süzegt Bandiida Hamba Jamyangarav was born and raised in the territory of the current Jargalant sum in Arkhangai province, which was then part of the Sain Noyon Khan aimag’s Dayanjalbuuzasag khoshuu. His contributions to Mongolian literature and culture began to be examined and brought to the public’s attention from the late 1940s, with significant efforts by figures such as Erdenepil, the Abbot of Gandan Monastery, Gombojav, academician Ts. Damsinsuren, D. Tserensodnom, and famous Tibetan scholar L. Khurelbaatar.

                      The prior incarnation, Tubden, is said to have prophesized, “After I pass away, several years later, I will take another life, and my name will be called ‘Softly,’ (jam du bod). He will be extraordinarily learned, and his works will spread religion. At times, he will appear as a figure of ignorance, and at others, he will appear as one of fierce anger. If all people praise him, he will indeed compose a sacred doctrine that brings joy to the world. Wrongs and evil acts will be turned into the right path.”The saint himself began to study scriptures at a young age, self-teaching himself by chanting "Na Mo" with ease. As a child, he also studied various religious texts with great dedication, learning by heart complex passages and performing rituals with unparalleled skill. He showed his extraordinary abilities during teachings, for instance, by performing a demonstration where he challenged others, showing them that he was indeed an exceptional figure.

                       Upon reaching adulthood, he was ordained by the monk Shunlaiba Jinbagelbalzambuu and studied key teachings under notable Tibetan and Mongolian spiritual leaders. In 1874, he was recognized as the successor of Tubden, receiving the title of Hambaa. By 1905, he had fully equipped himself with the tools of his role as a monk and had received the full insignia of the Hamba.In the 1910s, he completed a five-volume scholarly work and delivered many teachings. In the Year of the Fire Dragon (1916), the Bogd Ikh Nomun Khan endorsed his teachings on religion and governance, which he spread throughout the land. Following this, he received widespread recognition from numerous spiritual leaders and was awarded the title of Bandiida Hamba.

                        His role as a teacher and scholar involved many notable figures, including his interactions with several renowned scholars and masters. His teachings extended to 1330 volumes of Buddhist texts, and he engaged in more than 100 spiritual studies across the realms of Mongolian, Tibetan, and Indian wisdom.In the Mongolian Buddhist Scholars’ Compilation of Works in Tibetan, compiled by Ts. Tumen-Ölz, it is recorded that his works have had a significant impact on the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. These records also show his contributions through the numerous works he authored, including almost 140 titles across 9 (13) volumes. The saint’s works are studied with great attention to detail, especially those that deal with Mongolian historical inscriptions and events. The research on these works reveals fascinating insights, such as his views on the imperial seals of Chinggis Khan and his critical analysis of certain Mongolian rulers’ actions.

                      In conclusion, D. Ganbold has carried out exemplary foundational research on the figure of Jamyangarav, contributing significantly to both domestic and international conferences, documentary films, and multi-volume works on the study of Jamyangarav. If you wish to explore these topics further, I highly recommend reading the books and watching the documentaries available. Written by: D. Lkhagvagerel