The first Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu (Hundred Treasures) originally had over 60 temples and 300 gers within its walls, and approximately 1000 monks in residence. During the purges of 1937 all the temples but three were destroyed and many monks either killed or sent to labor camps.

The monastery re-opened as a museum in 1965 and, happily, in 1990 became an active monastery again. Today, there are 108 (a sacred number in Buddhism) stupas surrounding the monastery; the three remaining original temples are dedicated to the three stages of Buddha’s life: Zuu to his childhood, Zuun Zuu to his adolescence, and Baruun Zuu to his adulthood. 

This monastery can be found just outside Kharkhorin the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.

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