The Barguzin valley: Soodoy-Lama, contemporary cultic places, and Buddhist stupas (the results of field expeditions to Kurumkan district of the Republic of Buryatia in 2012-2022)

The scope of this article is associated with revived interest in restoring Buddhist sacred objects in Buryatia and a need to provide more accurate description of ethnic, cultural, and religious situation in the region. All contemporary cultic places, dedicated to Buddhist lama and head of the Barguzin Datsan Tsyden Sodoyev (1846-1916) who is well-known in the Barguzin Valley and in the Republic of Buryatia, have been analyzed for the first time. The following cultic places are mentioned and described: Soodoy-lama ’s stupas near the village of Elesun, in the Khara-Khushun (Shinagaljin) place, and near Baragkhan Arshan, his restored prayer house and stone with his self-manifested mantra in the village of Alla, and Buddhist dugan (temple) dedicated to Soodoy-lama in the village of Kurumkan. Interviews with informants have revealed that images of Soodoy-lama are present on the altars of many local inhabitants and he is perceived as their defender and legendary saint of the Barguzin Valley. Local Buddhist lamas carry out consistent activities aimed at sacralization of Soodoy-lama who was their predecessor and head of the Barguzin Dastan. New stupas dedicated to Soodoy-lama have been built and cultic objects related to his memory are sanctified. Thus, popularization of Buddhism in Barguzin and Kurmkan Districts is primarily associated with building new stupas and sacralizing the places where memorial objects of Buddhist saints were found. In contemporary Buryatia, cultic places described in the article enjoy great popularity among the Buddhist pilgrims.