Fine Arts Museum, Ulaanbaatar :: Zanabazar and his school |
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Under Geghen Zanabazar (1635-1723) was a descendant of Chingis Khan, born into a prominent Oirot Mongol family. In the late 17th century, following a period of civil strife between the Oirots and the Khalkas, he supported the idea of Qing (Manchu) sovereignty over Mongolia. Considered to be a living reincarnation of one of the important earlier Buddhist leaders in Mongolia, became the first Jebsundamba Khutuktu (Bogdo Khan) or theocratic ruler of Mongolia under Qing auspices. He is much revered for his contributions to Buddhist learning and for his reforms of Mongolian Buddhism. As a sculptor, he has been called the “Mongolian Michelangelo.” His most exquisite work can be seen in some of the gilded bronze statues in the Fine Arts Museum and in the winter palace museum of the last Bogdo Khan in Ulaanbaatar.