Shankh Monastery  (Note: As of the middle of September, 2003, the seven Kalachakra thangkas and Shambhala thangka shown here are on display at the Duinhor Temple at Gandan Monastery in Ulaan Baatar. At the moment it is not clear it they are going to be here permanently are not. This is a good opportunity to see them while you are in Ulaan Baatar.) Shankh Khiid, in Ovorkhangai Aimag about 200 miles west of Ulaan Baatar. The original ger monastery was founded nearby in 1647 by Zanabazar, the first Bogd Gegen of Mongolia. The monastery at this site dates from sometime later.

The main temple at the monastery now contains seven Kalachakra Mandalas depicting all 722 Kalachakra dieties and many other depictions connected with the Kalachakra. These thangkas, which are the only ones of their kind in Mongolia, were hidden in a cave during the communist era by Lama Gombo (see below) and another local man. They were only brought out of hiding in the early 1990s.

The temple also has a thangka depicting the Kingdom of Shambhala, source of the Kalachakra Teachings.

Shambhala

The eight districts of Shambhala

Kalapa, capital of Shambhhala

Raudra Chakri, 25th Kalkin King of Shambhala, seated in the middle of Kalapa

Raudra Chakri, 25th Kalkin King of Shambhala

General Hanuman, who will lead the armies of Raudra Chakri in the final battle against the barbarians

Altar in the Main Temple, with a thangka depicting Zanabazar, First Bogd Gegen of Mongolia.

Lama Gombo, who studied at Shankh as a boy (middle), with two local monks

Stupas behind the Main Temple

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