Chechek O. Adygbay

DARYMA O. K.-CH. AS A SCIENTIST, SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE REVIVAL OF BUDDHISM IN TUVA

This article is a memoir essay dedicated to the scientist, famous folklorist, Honored Worker of the Republic of Tuva O. K-Ch. Daryma (1934-2000). The article is based on the personal memoirs of the author – Ch. O. Adygbai, daughter of Ondar Kish-Chalaevich. There is consideration of the biographical information, previously unknown to a wide range of researchers, related to the scientific activity and relations of the scientist with spiritual teachers, representatives of the Buddhist clergy of Tuva in the last quarter of the XX century. Daryma O.K.-Ch. harmoniously combined in his activities the service of the interests of science and spiritual practices. Biographical information concerns his ancestral origin (tuv. ada-ӧgbe tӧӧgüzü, ugu, tӧrel-aimaa), some of his legendary ancestors, relatives, among whom were, in particular, Dazhyma-hundu Biche-Khovalyg, who was one of the main leaders of the Aldan-Maadyr uprising (1883-1885), and the highly educated Lama Lopsan-Chimit Mongush (1888-1942), the eveloper of one of the variants of the Tuvan script. The spiritual mentors who helped him in mastering the Buddhist tradition were famous lamas: Khomushku Kenden-Syuryun, Kuular Shymbai-ool, Oyun Lundup, who underwent severe trials of repression during the existence of the TNR and the USSR. Despite the persecution and prohibitions, the above-mentioned lamas were known to the people, they were approached to conduct religious sacraments and rituals. The article uses photographs from the family archive for illustrations.