IDNO

P.93688.LIN

Description

On Mamen's listing: Barga, W. Manchuria, 1931.
Ganjur Temple.
34. Maider carriage, prayer tower in middle of courtyard, 2 Lama boys. 14/9.

Mamen’s description: “Maider carriage, prayer tower in middle of courtyard, 2 Lama boys.”

Maidar is Mongolian saying for Maitreya who is believed to be the Buddha of future Galab (era, Sank.:Khalba ). Gashib was the Buddha of the past Galab and Shakyamoni is Buddha of present galab. It is said that one can be born when the Buddha is present in the world is the best chance to be salvaged. Therefore Maitreya Buddha is very important and there are a lot of huge statue of him such as nayan tohoi Maidar (eighty cubit of Maitreya statue) and Maidar-in hural (ceremony for worshipping Maitreya ) was held every year. In such an occasion, a statue of Maitreya is carried on the special cart and went around the Monastery compound and all the people follow the procession and try to go through underneath the marching carriage and let the Maitreya Buddha go over him or her believing that will be confirmed to be born following the Buddha. [U. Borjigin, 24/6/2002]

Place

E Asia; China; Inner Mongolia; Hulunbuir; New Barga East Banner; Ganjur Hua; Ganjur Sume [North west Manchuria; Barga Region]

Cultural Affliation

Barga-Buryat Mongol [historically Buriat]; Barga Mongol

Named Person

Photographer

Mamen, Oscar

Collector / Expedition

Lindgren, Ethel John [Expedition to Northwest Manchuria, 1931]

Date

14 September 1931

Collection Name

Lindgren Collection

Source

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.93557.LIN to P.93994.LIN are in the album now numbered A.115.LIN. The prints match negatives from A.25.LIN, A.26.LIN, A.27.LIN, A.28.LIN. A typed list describing these negatives was found inside this album. It has now been archived as BA2/4/16.