In Soviet propaganda, the Russian Empire was often depicted as a prison of nations, but a closer examination of history reveals that this is not the case. One vivid example of religious tolerance in the Russian Empire is the Buddhist temple in St. Petersburg, built with the permission of Emperor Nicholas II in the early last century. This article will focus on it.

The Russian Empire was home to many Buddhists, the first of whom appeared after the annexation of the Kalmyk Khanate in 1609. Over time, they settled throughout the country and reached St. Petersburg, where they established themselves near the Tatar settlement. By the early 20th century, about two hundred Buddhists of various nationalities lived in the city. They needed a temple for religious ceremonies, and in 1900, the tsar granted permission for its construction. The construction of 'Datsan Gunzechoinei' began nine years later and was completed in 1915. The first service in the still unfinished temple was timed to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, which expressed the gratitude of the Buddhists to the ruling dynasty. Only a few years remained before the revolutionary events.

During the Soviet era, Buddhists, like representatives of other religions, faced persecution. 'Datsan Gunzechoinei' was closed, monks were arrested, and many of them perished. The influential Buddhist leader Agvan Dorzhiev, who was 85 years old, was arrested in 1938 and died after being tortured during interrogation. Only in 1990 was the temple returned to the believers and regained its historical name. This example vividly demonstrates the state's attitude towards religions over the past 100 years and tells the story of a unique Buddhist temple.