Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov
The very fact of Dashi-Dorzho’s appearance on earth is a mystery…
Glina Ershova, head of the project for the study of the Itigilov phenomenon, Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH).
What is the scientific approach today and what should it be according to its own criteria and tools? It is evident that science is increasingly shifting towards the realm of speculation and is relying on possible causal logical relationships and theoretical reasoning in its research. Part of the reason for this is quite objective: the human mind’s penetration of the laws of macro, micro, and nano space does not always guarantee the ability to empirically sense the object of study. Many works are openly based on principles of assumption, from which later grow the whole structure of proofs and deductions. In fact, these reflections often find their confirmation with the further development of technology and the accumulation of experience in studying the problem.
But unfortunately, what is positive for the space sciences, for example, plays an extremely negative role for the “human” sciences. It is impossible to study any area of human life, to construct reasoning and draw conclusions, without practical engagement with the object of study.
We live in a world of paradoxes: people who have never studied or tried the laws of this science make judgments about homeopathy; people who suffer from obesity and a range of diseases talk about health; scientists who work in their office and may have once met an ethnicity in person write dissertations about the culture of ethnic peoples. Music critics who can’t play any musical instrument write about music; people who can’t move from blockages talk about dancing; those who have studied what Islam or Buddhism is in some university courses speak on religious matters…
The brain of modern man has definitively separated itself from the body, both in everyday life and in the sciences, which is why, on one hand, we have created a cult that only scientists can know the truth, and on the other hand, these same scientists have cut off all opportunities for “ordinary people” to have their own opinions and experiences on many questions of existence.
How is this related to Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov, whose incorrupt body is placed under a glass cover in the Ivolginsky Datsan, 40 minutes from Ulan-Ude? Science cannot explain this phenomenon, and religion, which seems to have a clear algorithm and description of the path of the righteous, is not scientific and not authoritative? Does this matter to Mr. Itigilov, who may have retained consciousness and is now observing all our attempts to unravel his miracle? Will the official scientists accept the postulate that the lama has reached the highest level of transformation through the practices of self-development and cultivation of the Spirit?
The whole path of Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov is a true example of the manifestation of the Spirit in our world. It is believed that he was born on May 13, 1852, in a rather unusual family, as his parents belonged to the Buryat Cossacks. This military unit has a long history: as early as 1727, Transbaikal Buryats served on the border between the Russian Empire and China. At that time, by the Tsar’s decree, seven Selengin and eleven Khorin families of the Buryats received special flags for their valiant service. And although in 1851 individual Buryat regiments joined the Transbaikal Cossack army, it can be said that the members of these clans bore special military gen. And so Hambo Lama Itigilov lost his parents early, and this fact of his personal history can tell much to careful researchers.
Orphaned at the age of five, Itigilov began to earn a living by herding sheep. By performing this hard physical labor, he was able to observe firsthand the laws and forces of nature and learned to survive in difficult conditions. Witnesses claim that from an early age the boy was distinguished by a purposeful and independent character.
At the age of fifteen, the young man walked more than three hundred kilometers to reach the Achin Datsan. From that moment on, his life would be inextricably linked to the teachings of Buddhism. A scholar-monk, a Buddhist philosopher, an excellent expert on Tibetan medicine, the author of many works on Buddhism and the compiler of a unique treatise on pharmacology, a seer whose blessings were sought by everyone from common soldiers (everyone blessed by him returned alive from the battlefield) to monarchs – such is the story of a man who lived, by our standards, in the most backwater corner of the royal empire.
Interesting fact: as mentioned above, because of his origins, Itigilov was subject to military service, but the people of Oybont voluntarily raised money for fifteen years to exempt him from conscription so that he could continue his studies. This is a clear sign that even the common people understood how valuable this man was.
In 1911 Itigilov headed the Buddhist clergy of Russia. Emperor Nikolay II himself is known to have sought a meeting with him, and it was thanks to the efforts of Hambo Lama Itigilov that the first Buddhist temple was opened in St. Petersburg.
In the first year of the young Soviet state’s existence, Itigilov withdrew from Buddhist leadership and devoted himself entirely to spiritual cultivation. In 1927 he announced to his disciples that he was ready to leave this world. The master began deep meditation and on the seventh day, his disciples realized that the spirit of the master had left the body.
On Dashi-Dorzho’s orders, his body was placed in a cedar casket and buried. From that moment miracles began, contradicting the whole scientific world view of our civilization. Even after 30 years, and after 75 years, the body of Hambo Lama Itigilov shows signs of imperishability.
In 2002, his body was removed from the ground and placed in Ivolginsky Datsan. Scientists and specialists do not miss the opportunity to study the phenomenon of the Lama. According to the conclusion of the forensic expert who was present at the exhumation, Itigilov had retained all the signs of a living being. His skin is soft and supple, his joints are flexible, his ears, eyes, fingers, teeth, eyelashes, and eyebrows are well preserved after spending 75 years underground!
Particles of skin given for examination lead to an astonishing conclusion: ‘The condition of the tissues is such that they perfectly correspond to the characteristics of living tissues. We are not aware of any cases of such preservation; it is a scientific mystery… In many aspects, the body of Hamba Lama gives the impression of the body of a living person… “(Russian Center for Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation). The only scientific explanation that scientists can formulate sounds like this: most likely, all life processes in the monk’s body continue, only they are slowed down millions of times …
And here we witness, perhaps, another paradox of our history: a man who demonstrates the unique capabilities of the human body and spirit becomes not a role model and а teacher for the living but becomes for some a kind of saint, a healer who works miracles (if one prays to him or simply stands near him), and for others a successful but completely inexplicable fraud… The number of pilgrims in the datsan, unfortunately, exceeds a thousandfold the number of people who have decided to follow the path of Dashi-Dorzho… And it should be the other way around. The very existence of Itigilov’s incorrupt body testifies to just that.
Message by Hambo Bagshi Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov
The one blessed with the Three Jewels of the unforgettable Lama
Can cultivate his mind safely and permanently,
By creating the opportunity for the ten important encounters.
The young friend’s wealth lies only in the early accumulation of blessings.
To see the golden mount Sumeru is to meet the five skandhas.
If you do not suffer, is your precious body at rest?
Be clean amidst the sea of mud, in the dangerous time of troubles,
Like a flower of the five skandhas, like a branching tree caught in the place from which it grew.
Bright and good, are not your five aspirations touched by frost and hail?
With these words I bring the Teaching, to be remembered and preserved!
It is hard to find one who has discovered the precious human free faith!
It is difficult to meet a Buddha who has met the Precious Teaching!
It is difficult to find and communicate with the local owner, the Ochirdari Lama!
If you succumb to the deception of life-threatening deeds,
If you reach the limit in this life after an aimless walk,
Led by the red energy of your karma,
You will meet the master of death.
To the next world, you go alone
And all your wealth, relatives, loved ones,
Remain in your native land without following you.
These riches, collected and hoarded foolishly,
Will turn to poison and be useless …
This is what all previous Buddhas have taught us.
After studying earthly life impartially, begin today
To practice the Ten Blessings-immediately!
There is nothing more to say in my last message in this life.
Translation from XXIV Pandido Khambo Lama D. Ayusheev
