he Compassionate Living Buddha's home residence or Western Khuree lamasery was founded in the year of the Fire Pig of the 11th sixty-year cycle, or according to western chronology in 1647, when the first Bogd Lam Jebtsundamba Khutuktu Under Gegeen Zanabazar was 13 years old. It was completed in 1654, when Zanabazar was 20 years old. This great Bogd Lama eventually built many lamaseries and monasteries within the land of the Khalkhas, but this Western Khuree was one of the earliest. Popularly known as "Under Gegeen's old lamasery," it is recorded that he often stayed here to create sculptural works and to write books. The Western lamasery moved its location several times, until it finally settled at the present site called Fine Spring Hill, when the Fourth Bogd Lam reached his 13th birthday in the 52nd year of Hung Li of the Chinese House, also known as the Fire Sheep year of the 13th sixty year cycle (1787).

n memory of the Fourth Bogd Lam Jebtsundampa Khutuktu's visit to Erdene Zuu and the Western Khuree lamasery in the year of the Fire Pig, during which the Master gave discourses and preachings for the believers, several temples of worship and Datsan (temple schools) were built and opened on the site. These included the Jud Datsan (Medical College) in the year of the Fire Rabbit of the 14th sixty-year cycle (1807), Tsanid Datsan (School of Religious Philosophy) in the 4th year of Min Ning (1824), Zurhain Datsan (Astrology College) in 1846, and the Duinheryn Datsan (Kalachakra Temple) in 1885.

n important event took place in the 26th year of the Min Ning, the Fire Horse year of the 14th sixty-year cycle (1858), following the establishment of the Astrology Datsan, when the Sixth Bogd Lam was four years old. Venerable Lubsanbaldan, a highly respected lama in charge of prayer-reading ceremonies at the Western Khuree, built a lavring (summer residence) on the inner slopes of the mountain Uhaa Ovoctu, which he used for creative and meditative purposes. A magical white umbrella was erected on the roof as a sign of respect, and holy readings are still given in this lavring. After that, the main Tsogchen temple building was built. Dedicated to the Office of the Dean, it was used to hold philosophical degree debates.

rom that time onwards, many most wise and compassionate reincarnated living Buddhas used the Western Khuree as the site of their intensive meditations, as well as manifestations of their aptitude for learning and teaching Buddhadharma. One of many such examples of this later period was the consecration ceremony of a large statue of the Lord Buddha, held in honor of the visit of the Eighth Bogd Lam to Erdene Zuu and the Western Khuree in the year of the Wood Sheep of the 15th sixty-year cycle (1895). This major event was witnessed by a large gathering of lamas and believers, complete with their ritual implements, articles of worship, and holy offerings. Musical accompaniment was provided by many religious orchestras. The memorial Targyn Ovoo or the "Heap of Tarag" still exists as evidence of that feast. Participants offered to the great Bogd Lam their finest dairy products, including tarag (a type of sour clotted cream), and he in turn paid religious visits to several monasteries, donating portraits of Avalokiteshvara and thirty-five other Bodhisattvas and divinites.

n the year of the Fire Pig of the 15th sixty-year cycle (1897) Venerable Dagva Lama, a deep bass chanter of the choir of the Gujir Dechin Galav monastery, was invited to visit Duinheryn Datsan. During his visit, he founded the Sagar's Chagleng Datsan (School of Religious Masks). In 1912, a college of Tantric Buddhism was established at Western Khuree. Many other temples were built here, with those of Maitreya and Deva Chen (Buddha's Paradise) considered as the best among them. A rich collection of art items, created by the great Khutuktu Zanabazar himself, was displayed in the North Buddha Palace, where he used to stay during his visits. Those objects which have survived include a sleeveless vest used by the baby Bogd Lam when he was five years old; a long religious trumpet mastered, it is believed, by the great Bogd Lam himself; an image of the deity Ochirpani brought by Abdai Khan from abroad; and many other invaluable religious and ceremonial objects. Also worthy of mention is the mighty and mysterious black standard of Genghis Khan that was inherited by the Western Khuree. This important religious and cultural object was worshipped by generations of Mongolians, until the destructive communist repression of 1937. A memorial marks the position of the ger which housed this much-venerated object.

uring times of religious prosperity, the Western Khuree was one of the largest monasteries in the Central Khalkh. It was famous throughout Mongolia and beyond. Its influence spread into the four Aimags (provinces), creating seven new Datsans with altogether more than 1,500 lamas. Now, thanks to the new era of religious freedom that exists in Mongolia, regular services were openly revived at the site of the former Puntasgdarjasling monastery, the original summer residence of the great Jebtsundampa Khutuktu lama. As a sign of happiness and prosperity, the inaugural date chosen was the eighth day of the New Moon of the mid-Spring month, in the Iron Horse year of the 17th sixty-year cycle (1990), after more than half a century of interruption.

e use the word "openly" as many monasteries, both large and small, were demolished by the horrible, State-directed firestorm of those times. Those monks who survived had to hide their holy icons and statues of Buddhas and deities in their family chests, secretly continuing their prayer readings by lamplight only after midnight. Yet still, they were able to select their Hamba Lam (Head lamas) of their monasteries from one generation to the next. It was an astonishing state of affairs, and a magnificent story of courage.

Let the religion of the Buddha be spread and glorified, and the aspirations of all human beings become as pure and wholesome as Mother's milk!