Dashdorj - the lama who was a prayer (oral legends about magic powers of the holy word)

Abstract

The belief in magic effects of a holy text, sacred name of a deity, a prayer word or sound is very strong in the culture of Mongolian peoples. This primarily manifests in Buddhist church service and related rituals, but also fills everyday life of the Mongols. Reading canonical tracts, magic formulas (mantras and dharanis), including these in various writings, attributing magic powers to specific books, using prayer wheels and flags - this all pervades the Buddhist Mongols’ view of the world order. A local tradition that existed in the capital of North Mongolia at the close of the 19^th and beginning of the 20^th century stands out - a belief that saying the name of the local lama Dashdorj and telling about some episodes of his life are vested with similar miraculous powers. Some oral legends of him, portraying Dashdorj as a miracle worker, have been recorded. The roots of these legends are rather unclear. There are some mentions of one Dashdorj in historical sources who used to be a senior lama (da-lama) in a monastery in the capital. He was well known for criticizing Manchurian authorities and corrupt Mongolian officials. His anti-Manchurian views and outspoken opinions might have become the reason for his popularity and for attribution of specific sanctity to his name.