☸️ Erdene Zuu Monastery
Mongolia
About This Sacred Site
Erdene Zuu Monastery is the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, founded in 1585 by Abtai Sain Khan on the site of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. The monastery was built using stones from the ruins of Karakorum and is surrounded by a wall with 108 stupas. At its peak, it housed up to 1,000 monks and over 60 temples. Partially destroyed during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, the monastery has been restored and active monks have returned since the fall of communism in 1990.
Key Facts
- •The oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, founded in 1585
- •Built on the site of Karakorum, capital of the Mongol Empire
- •The surrounding wall contains 108 stupas, a sacred number in Buddhism
- •Partially destroyed during the communist purges of the 1930s
- •Active monks have returned since 1990 and the monastery is a functioning place of worship
Location
Coordinates: 47.1969, 102.8431
Related Holy Sites
☸️Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple)
Where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha.
🛕Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument in the world, originally Hindu then Buddhist.
🪷Shwedagon Pagoda
Myanmar's most sacred Buddhist pagoda, gilded with 60 tons of gold.
☸️Lumbini
The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha.
🪷Borobudur
The world's largest Buddhist temple, with 2,672 relief panels.
🏯Potala Palace
Former winter residence of the Dalai Lama, towering over Lhasa.