Living Body of Hambo Lama Itygelov
Stay pure living in this muddy sea in this dangerous and murky time….
The richness that was gained and kept madly will lose its value and will turn into
the special poison….
Having studied the material life dispassionately, begin to practice
“The Ten Good Deeds” today, without delay”
- Hambo-Lama Ityghelov
In the 20s Hambo-Lama Ityghelov warned his countrymates that very soon they would face hard times: the temples would be destroyed, and cattle would be kept in them, lamas and believers would be prosecuted, arrested, imprisoned and killed.
“But they will not be able to catch me” – said Lama. (Notes: socialistic revolution started in Russia in 1917 and red terror spread throughout the country and reached Buryat area by 1922-23)
On the 15th of June 1927 Ityghelov declared to the disciples about his decision to leave this world and ordered them to exhume his body out of the ground in 30 years and examine it. Then he asked them to start chanting a prayer “good wish to the dead” and then taking a lotus-pose had started to meditate. The disciples didn’t dare to chant the prayer to the alive teacher, and seeing them hesitating Lama started to chant it himself. The disciples had joined the chanting and continued it. After a couple of days, having made sure that the Teacher showed no signs of life, they buried him in the community’s cemetery as he ordered.
Soon, after Ityghelov had left, the mass communistic robbering of datsans started along with mass arrests of lamas and believers. Lamas and believers hid the relics, but most of the relics were destroyed or robbed by bolsheviks. In Aninsky datsan (the main datsan of Buryatia, where Lama Ityghelov spent for 20 years) the central Temple were exploded, later in its ruins the cattle slaughter-house was arranged!
In 1944 Stalin gave a permission for temples restorations and Ivolghinsky datsan was the first to be restored on that place. It became the residence of Buryatian Buddhists; believers brought there the saved books, papers and relics there.
According to the order of Lama Ityghelov, in 1955, secretly, lama XVII Pandido Hambo-Lama Darmaev accompanied by other lamas exhumed the sarcophagus with the Ityghelov’s body. After making sure that the body was in good condition, they had dressed it in new garments, put it into the wooden sarcophagus, filled with salt and put it back into the ground.
In 1973 Pandido Hambo-Lama Gomboev with other lamas had repeated the same procedure: they checked the body’s state, renewed the dressing and put it back into the ground.
On 10.09.2002 XXIV Pandido Hambo Lama Damba Ayushev with other lamas have exhumed sarcophagus and after having done special rituals moved it into Ivolghin Datsan. It took about 2-3 years to take this decision after in 2000 one lama had seen Ityghelov in the meditation, and Ityghelov asked to exhumed his body.
After the body was exhumed, it was kept under the examination and control of the best Russian experts and morbid anatomists of the leading Russian institutions. There are lots of amazing and striking comments and analysis results of different experts, who agree in one: the body of Ityghelov looks as if he died 12 hours ago: the skin is elastic, veins are movable, but only the blood became like jelly. Some of them said that touching the lama’s hands they felt that they were warmer that their own hands.
Samples of Lama’s hair (that fell from his head), some scrubbed skin particles and tiny piece of his nail were sent to Moscow for the DNA examination. After the comparison with the samples of the alive people, the stunning conclusion was made: the albumen did not change its structure, i.e. it didn’t differ from the one of the alives!
To make sure that the body was not polished or elaborated with some conserving substances (kind of mummifying), the chemical analysis were provided. The body was compared with the samples of mummies found during the archeological survey of Manezh. It has been revealed that there are no additional substances in the Ityghelov’s body.
The imperishable body of Lama Ityghelov, sitting in the lotus-pose, now is placed in Ivolghinsky Datsan, it is treated carefully and the believers are permitted to see him.
Ivolghinsky Datsan
Ivolghinsky Datsan
Leaving the body by his own desire during the deep meditation is known not only in Buddhizm (Like Buddha had implemented “parinirvana”), but also in Hinduism (mahasamadhi) and some other ancient religions.
Comment of Dalai-Lama: “Real lama is capable to leave his body during the deep meditation. The meditation may last for years and years. The example is the northern Buryatian lama who is still staying in the deep meditation for many years”.
It is interesting that Buddha Shakyamuni himself used to mention that his study will have its second breath in the very north of its area (which is actually Buryatia, the Northest Buddhists nation). The fact that in Buryatia (in Eghituisk Datsan) they keep the rarest Buddha’s lifetime statue aged up to 2500 years supports this idea.
Translated by Fata D’Oro
(Source: http://www.fatadoro.com/Articoli-Sketch/Lama-Ityghelov.htm)
Buddhism
Buddhism came to Zabaikalie in the form of lamaism from Mongolia and Tibet in the middle of the 17th century when 100 Mongolian and 50 Tibetan monks settled here. Their active campaign to introduce the new religion to the shamanists was supported by the Buryat aristocracy and Tsar Administration. In 1741 Buddhism was recognized as one of the national religions of Russia. The Gelukpa school was the most common, its founder being Tsonkhava, the reformer of Tibetan Buddhism.
By the end of the 19th century several of the world’s ancient sacred objects delivered from Tibet and India were kept in Buryatia. Among them there was a huge metal statue of Buddha Maidari, Sandal Buddha statue, canonic book “Ganzhur” of 113 volumes and Danzhur of 300 volumes. They contained encyclopedic manuscript of medieval Buddhist teachings in philosophy, medicine, logics, linguistics, astrology and other fields of knowledge. There were also unique medical «Chzhud Schi” and «Vaidurya-onbo», and the only full copy of “Atlas of Tibetan Medicine” of the two preserved in the world. Today the copy of the Atlas is restored and translated into Russian language and stored in the Museum of History of Buryatia.
Buddhists temples became universities where Tibetan, Mongolian languages, Sanskrit, “Five Big Sciences”(religious philosophy, Grammar, Tibetan and Mongolian medicine, technology of arts and craft) and “Five Small Sciences” (poetry, stylistics, metrics, dances and music, astrology) were studied. Buddhist temples used secret rituals, Tsam mystery being one of them.
There were highly educated people among Buddhist clergy. Agvan Dorzhiev, the teacher of Dalai Lama XIII was one of them. With his initiative in 1915, the first Buddhist temple in Europe was built in Saint Petersburg. Brothers Badmaev’s successful medical practice of Tibetan medicine was highly appraised by Russian emperor Alexander the Third. Thanks to their activity and to Agvan Dorzhiev, Tibetan medicine spread in Russia. In 40’s-80’s years of the last century a graduate of Buddhist medical school of Atsagat Buddhist temple Galdan Lenkhoboev contributed greatly to the preservation and development of Tibetan medicine. Today, Tibetan medicine is developing with the government support.
Buddhist clergy is actively working towards Buddhism revival. Old Buddhist temples are being restored, the new ones are being built, Buddhist stupas, symbolic models of the Universe, are being set up in many places all over the region. The Buddhist traditional Sangkha of Russia is a member of the World Brotherhood of Buddhists with the centre of Russian Buddhists located in Buryatia. There is one of Sangkha’s institutions of higher education – Buddhist Institute “Dashi-Choinkhorlin” where young people from many regions of Russia come to study. In 1979, the Head of Buddhists of the world – His Holiness Dalai Lama XIV visited Buryatia.Buddhism is one of the most interesting pages in the history of Buryatia that attracts growing attention. Tourists can visit Buddhist temples, go on tours, consult Tibetan emchi lamas (monks practicing oriental medicine), monks astrologists, buy medicine and religious things and order prayers.
Lama Itygelov
The name of Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itygelov is known to every Buddhist in the world. There hasn’t been a scientific explanation found to explain his phenomenon yet.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Lama Itygelov was a Khambo Lama, head of Buddhists of Russia. In 1927, being a high rank jogine, he reached the state of Nirvana. Then he was placed into a wooden sarcophagus and buried seating in meditation. The burial place was kept secret by lamas. In 2002, he was taken out of the ground, in accordance with his will, and placed in the Ivolginsky Buddhist temple.
The event caused sensation in the world. Many studies made for the last several years by famous scientists and research institutes of Russia have shown that the physical characteristics of the body and the brain of lama Itygelov are similar to that of a living body. The Lama is still sitting in mediation posture, his body being warm and soft. He perspires but doesn’t lose weight. He doesn’t need any support and it seems that he gets charged from some energy sources. Scientists believe that the body is in the state unknown to science.
Buddhists believe that in the Itygelov’s body there is Buddha’s spirit and the lama is alive. Buddhists have several versions of Itygelov’s phenomenon.
Lama Itygelov’s body has been enshrined in the middle of the prayer hall for people to come and worship
Dalai Lama the XIV expressed his opinion that Itygelov had gone into a deep meditation but his finest form of consciousness “namshi” is still present in his body. Bogdo Gegen Khalkha Dzhetsun Damba Rimpoche thinks that Itygelov managed to reach the state of imperishable body, as a result of tantric practice, and having left it stopped the reincarnation circle and his consciousness left for the highest spheres. Ganzhur lama Radnaev, vice principle of the Buddhist Institute “Dashi-Cjoinkhorlin”, said that Itygelov’s consciousness might be in the constant movement and keeps contact with his body.
Great number of people from different countries makes pilgrimage to the body and spirit of Lama. People believe that touching his hand or clothes makes wonders and may change life for the better and protect from troubles. A temple designed by Itygelov himself was built to have better access to the body.
In 2005 a manuscript written by Itygelov was found where he forecasted his arrival and revival of Buddhism. His last foretelling has come true.
In the burial place, Khukhe-Zurkhen, a Buddhist stupa has been constructed. In Ulan-Ude there is the Institute of Khambo Lama Itygelov, whose activity is aimed at studying the phenomenon of imperishable body and determining the importance of the event for the world’s history and Buddhist teaching.
(Source: http://www.baikaltravel.ru/en/buryatia/religion/buddhism/)
It’s amazing how the body is still alive after all these years. I’m surprised why there is no extensive media coverage on this phenomenon. Nevertheless, I believe that there are many things out there that can happen or exist of which we are ignorant.
This article will blow the minds of all skeptics. I would like to visit this temple one of these days and bring all my skeptic friends. hehe.
Thank you Rinpoche for showing us the endless possibilities out there.
Love,
JP
So mystical & amazing …
Wow! This is amazing!!! Lama Itygelov has proven that with deep practice and meditation and high tantric is able to achieve that. It of course requires a lot of practice, unbroken samaya & vows, guru devotion and dedication. Wonderful!
Dear Rinpoche ,
Thank you for thid amazing story about this great lama. Didnt even know such place even existed ! I do wonder why this lama manifest such ability ? is it to “convince” his follower ?
actually this is not the 1st time i saw this , in some documentary film i saw sometime back there is another monk from thailand manifested the same ability as well. But that monk wasnt as long as this Lama , but it is still amazing why their body wont decay.
They must have done some very powerful practice and meditation to enable them to do something like of this nature. Some really high attained lama and monks really can perform supernatural feats.
Thanks again !!!
Most may not have the merits to see buddha’s , but thank goodness we still have the merits to see the results of the practice of these high lama’s. Many people with lack of merits may still put doubt , even though they are hardly scientists themselves.. May many more lamas manifests these miracles so that they may put to rest any further doubts .. There is a whole other world that we have yet to explore. We need to look beyond the illusion we have created for ourselves. There is a better place to be. And when we get there , we can show everyone else how to get there. I rejoice in the eternal bliss that Lama Itygelov is residing in now.
Buddhism is really a living religion.
I believe even scientists are scratching their heads to understand how this state of body is possible. But highly attained lamas demonstrated what to do and how to achieve it to the rest of world, budhhism is never just a legendary story, it is a living proof of science and religion.
A corpse of lama Itygelov who had gained complete realizations remained mysteriously alive-looking 30 years later after being exhumed, he specifically asked his students to exhume his body for a reason, to show to the world that when we really engage in higher tantric practice and meditation, and with pure guru devotion and holding all the vows, enlightenment is achievable.
I am hoping one day I will have the greaat fortune to visit Ivolghinsky Datsan.
Wow…. This really amazing !! Thank you rinpoche sharing this from this has proven anything could happen.
This is so amazing! Even scientist can’t explain this extra ordinary phenomenon. The understanding of mind in Buddhism is far more advance than science
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this blog. This will definitely benefits people who are not so convince of Lamas’ ability to control their own death and performing miracles… this is really amazing as it is confirmed by independent party, the Russian scientists.
But doesn’t salt serve as a ocnservative? A kind of salt (natron) was used as a conservative for Egyptian mummies too. The colour of the skin makes me believe that the conservation of the body is a result of the use of salt during the burial.
Kunzang Dorje
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this amazing account(with the hard evidence of pictures) of a great Master who has manifested an imperishable body, so that the Dharma will remain alive in this degenerate age.
The fact that Lama Itgelov was able to declare ahead of time that his body was to be exhumed thirty years from its being placed in a sarcophagus for burial, showed that this Holy Being, out of great compassion, was going to manifest miraculous and wondrous things for the benefit of all beings.
Thus, when his body was exhumed thirty years later and found to be intact, as though he had died only twelve hours before, he was already showing that he was using his body to send home the Truth in a tangible form, of what lord Buddha taught over 2500 years ago. The Mind is the creator of all our experiences and the forms we will take in all rebirths. The state of mind of ultimate inner peace that we can cultivate (Lama Itygelov shows us), can also determine that we can control our death and rebirth and eventually get out of samsara and suffering.
Being the Bodhisattva that he is, he allows access of his body to people of simple minds and simple faith, who believe that touching his body will change their lives for the better and bless them to overcome the obstacles of their daily life.
I prostrate in body, speech and mind to this great and kind Lama.
this is certainly an amazing story and discovery. i think the lesson in this story is that, in this degenerate time, when people start to drift away from religion, and started to get close with Dharma and Guru, or to heed the advice, due to the ego, and samsara world that blinded us to see clearly what is coming, because of this many High Lamas and Guru manifest sickness and even death on them self to show us what is about to happen, and it is this compassion that many miracles and extraordinary things happen, to show us that sometimes through religion and Guru advice which can turn our life around if we believe in religion and the Guru. this is just my humble opinion, i maybe wrong.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing this amazing true story.
Our perceptions towards things happened in the world are rather shallow, there’s a lot of amazing thing out there which even the scientist can’t explain. Never say never, there are still lots of possibilities for human to explore.
I read a Chinese article about a matching of science theories with ancient Buddhist teachings, it’s very interesting that there’s nothing to prove a single thing from what Buddha said is wrong, and it’s getting more and more similarity between Buddhism and latest science development.
I believe there are more “miracles” coming, stay tuned everyone!!
What an attained Lama! Well, all Lamas are amazing for being upholders of the Dharma. This Lama is amazing for displaying Tantric power after his passing and in that way, he upholds the Dharma. I believe, such abilities are not unusual in Tibet and Mongolia of old. Tantra has particular power to bestow such supernatural abilities. His holy remains and scientific investigation will serve to give credibility to Tantric meditation and practice for today’s people. Having faith in Tantra, Lama and Dharma will ease many people along their spiritual journeys.
Rinpoche i always been reading about Buddhism in Russia, and Georgia of Kalmykia (love the flag of theirs)is one of my wanted visit list for Buddhist tour!
Dear Rinpoche,
Thanks for this wonderful posting on highly attained Lama. Woul like to share something interesting that slightly relates to this post.
A few years back, a documentary was shown on Discovery Channel reg. Mumified Shingon Monk of Japan (Rev. KuuKai) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokushinbutsu)
This amazing phenomenon is inexplicable by science which means that it is NOT the salt that is preserving the body of this Lama. The fact is that the body is still warm and is sitting upright without support, which is not caused by any amount of salt. The only logical explanation is that this is proof of the Lama’s attainments, and is something that is not unusual in high Lamas.
Thank you for sharing. I hope this true story will make people sit up and open up their minds to possibilities beyond our limited perceptions.
The Buddhas never give up. Buddhas will use all ways to show us the Ultimate Truth, with the Dharma, manifestations of great Lamas who will untiringly teach us. Yet because of our ignorance, laziness and ego we do not listen as we think of self absorbing pleasures and comforts.
We, sentient beings truly are losers, not to live in the Dharma and make purposeful use of this precious human life.
Thank you, Lama Itygelov for teaching us even in death. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this with us.
Thanks Rinpoche, i had been curious about the Buddhism in the European Region, realised that theres Buddhism developing and progressing there from the Boryuts? Georgia of Kalmykia is added into my must visit country in the near future.Once i even came across a temple website in moscow with webcam in the main shrine ! Ha Ha!
Just before Lama Itygelov left this world for nirvana, he asked his disciples to start chanting a prayer “good wish to the dead”. After taking a lotus-pose and seeing that the disciples daren’t chant to a still alive teacher, he himself started to chant it himself. Then only the disciples joined in for a couple of days chanting until the teacher has passed out. Leaving the body by his own desire during deep meditation is said be a known fact not only in Buddhism (like our Lord Buddha had implemented “Parinirvana”) But also in Hinduism, and some other ancient religions. This is supported by our Dalai Lama’s comment, “Real Lama is capable to leave his body during the deep meditation. The meditation may last for years and years. The example is the northern Buryatian Lama who is still staying in the deep meditation for many years.” This event is reported to have caused sensation around the world and there hasn’t been a scientific explaination found to explain this phenomenon yet it seems! Many grateful thanks to our Rinpoche for such valuable, important, useful and amazing revelation.
Amazing! Well, this is even more advance than mummification, no pyramid needed, no embalming process like the ancient Egyptian and the body temperature is still remained.
But will he come back alive if he was in deep meditation?????
Many years ago, I read a quote from a prominent personality ( a scientist or philosopher, i can’t remember )who said that if he was to choose a religion it would have to be Buddhism because it works.
The phenomenon of Lama Itygelov is another testimonial of the efficacy of Buddha’s teachings and instructions when practiced at the highest level.
Such spiritual accomplishment ,scientifically verified will inspire and increase faith in all Buddhist followers in this 21st century. I hope to visit the temple where he is enshrined to pay homage.
Shelly Tai on Jun 15,2011 at 1pm
Is amazing to see this, what deep meditation can do to our body how powerful of this type of meditation. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this story with us .
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this valuable blog. It opens my mind with the strength of Tantric power, Dharma and deep meditation uphold by Lama Itygelov.
Buddhas & Bodhisattvas use all means to teach and benefit us.
Lama Itygelov used his “death” to teach and instill faith in us. He is truly the embodiment of the Three Jewels !
Wow this is amazing!!! Even scientists cant find a reason to this amazing phenomena. The power of the mind is just amazing. It shows that high tantric practitioners like Lama Itygelov with deep mediatation can achieved this attainments, showing us this miraculous powers for the benefit of all beings. It will bring people to have faith in the Buddhadharma.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this with us.
Another amazing story where the philosophies of Buddhism has once again left the explanation of science speechless. Before this, being a science student, I used to only believe in theories and explanations of science, because for me, I believe only when proven. But stories like these, and alot of other phenomena that exists within Buddhism has left me with another question… Can Science really explain everything?
This article is very interesting, I just couldn’t believe it when I was reading it. I was simply stunned. Buddhist Lamas are very compassionate…for the sake of our believes and need of evidence, to convince sceptics, Buddhist Lamas go to every extent to make us question our own minds and make us contemplate deeper, have greater believe and fatih in the philosophies, practices and power of the Buddhadharma, when one’s practices are pure and correct, shunned from the 8 wordly concerns.
Thank you for sharing this story, dear Rinpoche.
Carmen.
My respect! Reminds me of the relic of the Sixth Patriarch of the Chan/Zen school in China.
This is amazing, thank you.I saw in Italy, in the Christian monastery the same thing…:-)
Scientists cannot explain this nor reenact this in a controlled environment. I wonder why scientists do not do their best to unravel this ‘mystery’?
To me, it shows that deep meditation by highly evolved beings do make the mind control the body. In this case, maybe the mind is still hovering around and may move on to a controlled rebirth and continue benefiting when the time is right.
Thank you for posting this blog on Lama Itygelov. To me,this high lama, a Bodhisattva,has remained in his imperishable body to convince skeptics the teachings of Buddha. It is out of compassion, the lama has used his skill to remain in that state to bring people to the Buddhadharma in this degenerate age. The Lama is an embodiment of bodhicitta. He has chosen to remain in the death meditation for so long because to most people, seeing is believing.
Thanks Rinpoche for posting this blog on Lama Itygelov. To me ,the Lama ,a Bodhisattva,has remained in his imperishable body to convince the world ,especially the skeptics, the teachings of Buddha. Out of compassion, the Lama has used his skill ,The highest tantric practice ,to remain in that state to bring people to the Buddhadharma in this degenerate age . the Lama is an embodiment of bodhicitta. To most people ,seeing is believing.
Lama Itygelov has the omniscience of a Buddha He predicted what was going to happen to him n his followers ,the destruction of the Buryat area n the subsequent revival of Buddhism.
I hope the many baffled scientists mystified by this phenomenon n studying the case now, willbe the cause for the spread of Buddha’s teaching.
There are still miracles like this in our degenerate age. So lets not let go of our chance to get some essence from our precious human life. I never think buddhism defy science, it just that science has not caught up in its methods to measure the results of Buddhist practise.