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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 coming 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 numerous 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
