Life path of the head-master of the Tsugol datsan in the late 19th century: impact of the “Autobiography” by G.-J. Dylgyrov on the development of the Buddhist institute

This article analyzes "Autobiography” written by G.-J. Dylgyrov, including its circumstances of creation, contents, target group, and influence on the development of the Buddhist institute in the Transbaikal region in the late 19th century. Specific details of "Autobiography” reveal educational system of monks and role of spiritual teacher in the Tsugol datsan and other Buddhist datsans in Buryatia. The system of interaction between the spiritual teacher and monks in a Buddhist monastery in the late 19th-early 20th centuries is discussed using the text translated by the authors. The role of "Autobiography” of G.- J. Dylgyrov in the development of interaction rules between monks and their teachers in the Tsugol datsan is identified. The fact that "Autobiography” was written specifically for the monks is confirmed by the choice of language for the text, sincere exposition of life problems encountered on the spiritual path of a lama, and recommendations on ethical interactions with teachers and colleagues. It has been shown that the target group of the "Autobiography” was monks who for the most part could read texts in Tibetan language in the late 19th century (see the Figure). G.-J. Dylgyrov sincerely described his problems of interaction with teachers, colleagues, and with himself, and suggested solutions based on his own experience. The article uses information from differentfields, such as philology, history, and ethnology for identifying the target group of "Autobiography. ” Linguistic analysis shows specific aspects of vocabulary and terminology typical of the Tibetan Buddhist monks. Historical and ethnological perspectives elucidate the life of monks in Buddhist monasteries in the late 19th century. The study presents new additional evidence on the life of the head monk G.-J. Dylgyrov and establishes the impact of his book on the ethics in datsans in the late 19th century.