Tibetan Buddhist Eschatology: The Buryat Case
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| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | The Tibetan Buddhist eschatology is represented by at least three figures: The 25th ruler of Shambhala, Rudra Chakrin, the future Buddha Maitreya, and Gesar – the legendary king of Ling. The contribution focuses on Maitreya, whose cult was extremely popular in Buryatia, similarly to other areas where Tibetan Buddhism spread. This is evidenced by the summer festival Maidar khural, as well as the presence of a number of gigantic statues of Maitreya in monasteries. The feast containing the rite that should precipitate the coming of the future Buddha to this world is traditionally celebrated for three days in mid-summer in Buryatia. The aim of the contribution is to provide information about two types of eschatology in Buryatia and about the discontinuity (Shambhala and Kalachakra) and continuity (Maitreya) of these rites. |