Zanabazar, spiritual master, artist and diplomat at the origin of the revival of Mongolian culture in the 17th century

Conference by Anne Fort, Chief Heritage Curator, responsible for the Central Asian and Southeast Asian collections at the Cernuschi Museum.

A Buddhist monk, great artist and multi-talented scholar, Zanabazar (1635-1723) assumed, for the first time in Mongolian history, the dual role of spiritual and political leader of the country.

He unified the various Buddhist traditions of Mongolia under the now predominant Yellow Hat School and contributed to the political understanding of the different tribes under the seal of the Buddhist faith, of which he was the undisputed spiritual master. However, his diplomatic efforts could not prevent war between the Khalkha and Oirat tribes, leading to the intervention of the Qing dynasty, which ultimately ensured the political submission of the Mongols.

Sculptor, founder, painter, architect, linguist, translator, theologian, poet, renovator of rites, the works and religious foundations of Zanabazar largely served his diplomatic policy with neighboring powers, while at the national level, they largely won the people over to Buddhism, until then practiced mainly by the nobility.

The prestige Zanabazar enjoyed during his lifetime is still tangible today, making him one of the pillars of Mongolian identity.