Page 379 [379]
Two HAMBO LAMAS IN THE DISCOURSE OF BUDDHIST REVIVAL IN BURYATIA
purposes concerning ethnic and cultural identity and increasing self-esteem. The
discourse around Itigelov includes the topic of ‘Buryatia is a land where a real
miracle happened’ thus promoting interest to the Republic and serving as its unique
brand. In this connection it is worth adding that similar to any other sensation, for
sixteen years Itigelov’s phenomenon lost its original attractiveness having become
a place of pilgrimage like other holy places of worship. Recently, the phenomenon
has received a new impact when with the approval of Hambo Lama Ayusheev media
published a sensational material illustrated with blurry photos: on 11 October 2016,
the monitors fixed movements in the space of Itigelov’s palace when it was locked
from outside and, except Itigelov, nobody remained inside. The conclusion was
definite: Itigelov rose from his throne and walked around the palace. Hambo Lama
Damba Ayusheev commented on the event as follows:
“Hambo Lama manifested himself, the Imperishable Body was moving. Hambo
Lama got up and showed himself. ... At one of the big prayers, the great Indian
Lharamba Lama once told us that Hambo Lama Itigelov would rise with the co¬
ming of the Buddha Maidrei (Maitreya) era. However, the Buddha of the Future
will come in two thousand years. Nevertheless, the Lharamba Lama did not rule
out that the Hambo Lama would get up earlier. This thought existed somewhere in
the depths of my mind.”
Thus, at the support of avid mass media and Internet, the miracle continues though
authenticity of this new sensation is subjected to doubt. In any case, despite nume¬
rous problems Russia and Buryatia in particular face nowadays, the Buryat public
consciousness has learned that Itigelov’s return was not occasional; it possesses
deep moral and religious senses that the Holy Lama wanted to teach and propagate.
Bayarzhap Lamkhai, the Shireete Lama of the Sartul-Bulag Geden Puntsogling
Datsan in the Dzhida district of Buryatia, when speaking about the significance of
the return of Hambo Lama Itigelov for the whole world concludes:
“The most important thing is that we entered the new millennium with Hambo
Lama Itigelov. This is a great event. Not all is lost for the world as long as we have
Itigelov. The miracle appeared and proved that there is something that is higher
than just a human being. You need knowing that miracles exist, that death can be
conquered. And Itigelov’s coming proves this.”
Itigelov’s phenomenon entails raising status of Buddhism in Russia and specifically
the head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha - Hambo Lama Damba Ayusheev. In
accordance with the traditional loyalty to the highest Russian authorities, Auysheev
pays attention to the ‘historical’ connection between Itigelov’s return and Vladimir
Putin’s presidency:
5° Van, A.: Projavljenije njetljennogo tjela. Inform Polis 41, 12 October 2016, p. 7.
4 Anzilova, D.: Kak vstrjetit” novuju vjesnu. AiF in Burjatii 6, (2008) p. 4.
377