Background
DORZHIYEV, Agvan was born in 1853 in Verkholensk, Irkutsk Province.
DORZHIYEV, Agvan was born in 1853 in Verkholensk, Irkutsk Province.
Higher theological training in Tibet.
After his return to Russia elected spiritual leader (Pandida Khamba Lama) of the Buddhists in Buryatia. Founded the Kerminskiy and Khoymorskiy monasteries in Irkutsk Province and a monastery in Burguzinsk Rayon. Besides his religious work did much to spread secular cduc among the Buryats and Kalmyks.
Author of Buryat alphabet, named for him. Helped collect Buryat folklore. Published historical work Khukliu debter, which became very popular among the Mongols.
Maintained close contact with Russian pre-revol acadorientalists and with their assistance built a Buddhist temple in Saint St. Petersburg in 1913. Repeatedly visited Tibet, became conlidant and personal friend of the Dalai Lama. Acted as intermediary between Dalai Lama and Russian Government.
After 1917 October Revol reformed the structure of life at Buddhist monasteries and also reorganized syllabus of theological schools at monasteries. His opponents compared these reforms with the efforts of Orthodox "Living Church” clergy to establish itself under Communist regime. Accepted as Dalai Lama’s plenipotentiary in Moscow by Soviet Government, which at that time, according to its current Eastern policy, was interested in dipl relations with the Dalai Lama government.
In the 1930's, after establishment of Mongolian People's Republic, the Buddhist clergy in Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics was subjected to mass annihilation. 1936 Dorzhiyer was exiled from Buryat-Mongolian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Lived in Lakhta near Leningrad.
1937 arrested, exiled to Ulan-Ude (former Verkhneudinsk) and confined.