One of my favorite things about traveling is receiving an education about each destination.  No matter how much I think I know about a place, I always learn more when I’m there in person.

I didn’t know all that much about Mongolia before venturing out into its vast and unspoiled steppe.  And, I knew virtually nothing about the history of Buddhism in the country and the challenges it faced at the hands of Communist rule.

__________

After filling up (and warming up) on homemade noodle soup, our next stop was a snow-dusted rock outcropping several hours drive away.

We instantly noticed stacks of rocks everywhere.

Deegii informed us that these stacks designated the area as a sacred place.

In the center of the outcropping was the black mouth of a cave.

Monks sought refuge and shelter there as they hid from soldiers during The Persecution from 1937-1939.  Though we were all curious to explore the cave, we refrained as it now plays host to a large snake population.

A short drive away were the ruins of Buddhist temple.

Bright blue, tattered silk scarves floated from the trees.

This temple used to house 300 monks; all but a handful were killed by Communist soldiers.

Under Stalin’s order, The Persecution saw the destruction of over 700 monasteries/temples and 30,000 monks were killed or sent to labor camps in Siberia.

For a quiet, respectful and hospitable people, such violent subjugation struck me as completely unnecessary.

The area had a solemn atmosphere and we found ourselves whispering for no apparent reason.  And, as if it weren’t cold enough, the place gave me goose bumps.

Even though the temple marked a place of death and destruction, it remained vibrant; perhaps a silent protest to the oppression seen the there.

*For more fab Photo Friday, skip to Delicious Baby!