19 September 2009

A Mongolian legend revealed

2019-06-16T18:37:31+08:00September 19th, 2009|new books|0 Comments

The 19th century was a low point for Mongolia; the once-proud empire reduced to a backward vassal state of the Manchus. Danzan Ravjaa was a progressive monk of the period. He founded monasteries, wrote poetry, and promoted education and social reform. But his unconventional life of women, theatre and alcohol was cut short by a cup of poisoned [...]

1 August 2009

Unearthing the Gobi’s hidden treasures

2019-07-12T02:11:16+08:00August 1st, 2009|events, media attention, new books|0 Comments

Read on for a rare Indiana Jones style story which has been picked up by the BBC... Danzan Ravjaa (1803-1856), the Fifth Noyon Incarnate Lama of the Gobi Desert, is perhaps Mongolia's most beloved saint. The Fourth had caused so many scandals that the Manchu Emperor of the day banned his reincarnation. Consequently, when the young child was enthroned as [...]