Not so often in Europe there are people speaking the Mongolian language. And almost all of them live in the Republic of Kalmykia. The people of Kalmyks came to the land, once called the Polovtsian steppe. After their arrival in the 17th century, this territory became known as the Kalmyk steppe. Today it is the Republic of Kalmykia. The map shows its exact location.
Story
Unusual people are Kalmyks. The history of the people is rooted in the past. It begins with Asia. Kalmyks come from West Mongol tribes called Oirats. They, in turn, entered the huge Mongol empire created by Genghis Khan. He managed to unite almost all the nationalities living at that time on the territory of Central Asia.
Oirats supported Genghis Khan in his aggressive campaigns in Russia, the Caucasus, China, Asia and Korea. At the same time, groups of military units were created in which duties were transferred by inheritance. Over time, these units have turned into ethnic groups that still exist. Today, they may not have such significance as before, since they are more associated with conquests. For example, there is a group of trading outlets. So called the people who were the guard of the Mongol khans. The group of Hoshouts consisted of those who entered the front of the army, Derbets - this is a horse army.
The Mongol empire was huge. Internal turmoil here was the norm. Over time, they became the cause of its split. Oirat khans refused to submit to the Great Mongol Hagan.
The foundations of the Kalmyk religion
Until the 17th century, Kalmyks professed shamanism. But the activity of missionaries from Tibet contributed to the fact that most Kalmyks adopted Buddhism. But this did not help to maintain the integrity of the Mongolian people. Civil wars continued. However, Buddhism, Lamaism spread widely in the territory of modern Kalmykia.
The Kalmyk Khanate was part of Russia until 1771. In the early stages of its existence, Russian rulers did not attach much importance to the internal structure. Kalmyk worship was the freedom of their choice, and the state did not interfere in their culture. But over time, the rulers of Russia began to take measures and encourage those who converted to Orthodoxy. Kalmyks who passed the baptismal rite were allowed to go to other cities and villages of Russia.
At the end of the 18th century, the Russian state increased its interference in the internal life of the Kalmyk Khanate, gradually restricting the rights of the Kalmyks, and in 1771 it was completely eliminated. At the same time, the Russian government reorganized Kalmyk management. The traditions and rights of the Kalmyk people were fully preserved. Under the Astrakhan province , the Kalmyk Affairs Expedition was created, which was engaged in the management of uluses. Later, in 1847, the fate of the Kalmyk people depended on the Ministry of State Property.
Kalmyks. Religion
The Russian government tried not to put pressure on the Kalmyk people in their conversion to Christians. Prior to the revolution, among the Kalmyks, the rights of the Buddhist clergy, which were laid down in 1640, were preserved. Over time, the Kalmyks began to convert to the Orthodox faith. Religion began to spread rapidly after the opening of a theological seminary in Astrakhan, since Kalmykia was territorially part of the Astrakhan diocese. Then the Russian government took measures to create a mission that converts Kalmyks to Christians. In the mid-19th century, the missionary movement reached its zenith. Theological seminaries began to teach the Kalmyk language. In 1871, the Orthodox Missionary Committee began its existence, the efforts of which organized a school and opened a shelter where Kalmyks could live. Religion deeply changed the fate of the Kalmyk people. People could receive a decent education. Over time, the school turned into a huge missionary school, where teachers and preachers were trained, who were supposed to transmit spiritual knowledge in Kalmyk settlements.
Kalmyks did not take such revolutionary innovations very actively. Buddha remained the main God for the majority of the Kalmyk people. Orthodoxy was represented mainly by immigrants from Russia. Their deep traditions did not want to change Kalmyks. Religion was also difficult to change. What religion do Kalmyks practice? There is no single answer to this question. Among Kalmyks there are Orthodox Christians, Buddhists, and even shamans.
The difficulties of the Kalmyk people
The coming of the Communists to power had a favorable effect on the history of the Kalmyk region. It was they who restored unity and restored statehood to the Kalmyks. The year 1926 marked the beginning of the Kalmyk Autonomous Region, which later became known as the Kalmyk Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. But the religious life of the Kalmyks at that time suffered greatly. Any religious activity was severely oppressed. In spiritual terms, Kalmyks experienced unprecedented difficulties. Religion was completely eliminated by the mid-30s. In 1943, the Kalmyk people were deported to various parts of Russia. And Russians came to their territory. And only after 10 years the Kalmyks were able to return to their land again. The Kalmyk ASSR regained life. But there was no legal religion on the territory of the settlement until the 80s. Nevertheless, Kalmyks felt spiritual oppression. The religion of Christianity began to revive only in 1984. The beginning of this was the opening of an Orthodox parish in the village of Priyutnoye. This marked the transition of Kalmykia to the Stavropol diocese. New communities, such as Baptists and Pentecostals, began to appear among the Kalmyk population. In Kalmykia, there is also a Buddhist community, which was formed in 1988.
Features of the Kalmyk culture
Despite numerous difficulties and a nomadic way of life, Kalmyks did not forget their traditions for a moment. Religion and culture of this people have always been linked by an invisible thread. Kalmykov was difficult to convert to the Christian faith. Centuries-old traditions made themselves felt. Indeed, for many years on this earth professed shamanism. This cannot be taken out of the heart of a real Kalmyk. The cultural peculiarity of this population is still reflected in the Mongolian settlements. Modern Kalmyk society is gradually losing its traditional affiliation, but there are still customs that have survived to this day.
Traditional features
Fire for Kalmyks is considered a sacred element. He is mentioned more than once in the ritual works of the people of Kalmykia. The deep traditions, rites and culture of the Kalmyks allow us to talk about them as an independent ethnic group.
Fire for the Kalmyk people was considered the personification of the Sun God. Therefore, there are some prohibitions, for example, to step over the fire or spit on it is considered a sinful act. It is forbidden to extinguish a fire with water. It is necessary to wait until it goes out. It is allowed to fill the fire with sand or earth.
The worship of fire was considered a special ritual. Kalmyks even performed certain rituals to propitiate fire. It was a kind of sacrifice. The cult of fire is a national feature of Kalmyks. It is described in many historical works. Not a single wedding or funeral was complete without a fiery sacrifice. And today you can see the rites in which the priest offers the animal an fire and reads special prayers. For this, he asks for the blessings of the Gods to bestow happiness in the family life of his daughter.
The funeral rite also does not pass without a fiery sacrifice. On the seventh and forty-ninth day after the burial, the relatives of the deceased should sacrifice a ram to the fire, thus feeding the deceased relative. Kalmyks sincerely believe that fire is a kind of vehicle between the living world and subtle matters.
Worship of fire
Kalmyks firmly believe that fire has divine power. That is why no purification rite is complete without the participation of fire. Such rites are described even in classical works. For example, the work of A. Amur – Sanan describes a fire ceremony that protects travelers on the road. In burning bonfires, salt is poured over a handful. Then cattle are passed between the two bonfires, and a wagon is already following him. Today, Kalmyks also cleanse their homes with fire, passing around the house from east to west. After the funeral, you should also perform a cleansing ritual with fire, holding your hands over it.
Paganism and Buddhism in the culture of Kalmyks are firmly intertwined. Paganism speaks of fire as a representative of the God of the Sun, more precisely, in paganism this is the God of the Sun himself. Therefore, he should sacrifice all products of a warm nature. It can be oil, fat, hot liquids. Buddhist tradition represents fire as a symbol of wisdom. It is believed that with its help it is possible to burn all ignorance.
The nature of the Kalmyk people
Kalmyks, like other ethnic peoples, have their own unique character. Firstly, they are very open. Such people are called extroverts. Secondly, they are practical and rational. Inherent in the Kalmyks and some kind of maximalism. Kalmyk always strives for great things. He will not spend his attention and time on the implementation of small projects. Globality, grandeur and scale - all this is reflected in the heart of a real Kalmyk.
Kalmyks are a rather original people. Whenever possible, they strive to show their individualism and to draw as much attention as possible. At the same time, the Kalmyk people with great respect for the vanity of other people.
Kalmyks are active, energetic and artistic. This can be judged not only by their movements and national dances, but also by their speech. Kalmyks speak vividly, flexibly, fluently and concisely. In some sources, Kalmyk speech is compared to machine-gun rhythms.
Almost all Kalmyks are optimists. They always concentrate on the positive aspects in life, in any person they tend to notice only positive qualities. All works of the classic folk epos had an exceptionally positive outcome.
Nomadic peoples have always sought to glorify. The desire to be leaders in any business is inherent in Kalmyks. This people is very proud, but not proud. Buddhism has somewhat cleared the Kalmyk consciousness, since pride for a Buddhist is a mortal sin.
Since Buddhism for Kalmykia is considered one of the main religious orientations, a lot of Buddhist temples have been built in the republic.
Temple of the Great Victory (Kalmykia). Description
One of the largest Buddhist communities lives in the Oktyabrsky district of Kalmykia (the village of Bolshoi Tsaryn). Here is the most magnificent Buddhist temple in Kalmykia - the Temple of the Great Victory. Buddhist religious buildings are called khuruls. This khurul was erected in 2002. In just 2 years, builders managed to realize the project of Sangadzhiev Yu. I., which is considered the best architect in Kalmykia. On October 11, 2002, the doors of the Temple of Great Victory triumphantly opened. Khurul was built thanks to donations from the Buddhist community itself, residents of the Oktyabrsky District and sponsors. The President of Kalmykia, Ilyumzhinov K. N., also invested his funds in the construction.
The temple is an 18 meter high building. The central part is occupied by the prayer hall, in which the altar is located. Monks live in front of the hurula. There is also a llama reception room. The Buddha statue appeared thanks to the efforts of sculptors V. Vaskin and S. Korobeinikov. The main entrance is decorated with the Teaching wheel and deer figures made by Nikolai Galushkin.
Also in the khurul is a statue of the Buddha of Medicine and a huge collection of scriptures and tanks.
In Kalmykia there are several more Buddhist temples of interest to tourists.
Elista - the center of Buddhist culture
Elista is the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia. The map indicates its location.
This is an unusual city, completely unlike most cities in Russia. It is decorated with Buddhist temples and colorful buildings of oriental architecture. People living in Elista have an eastern worldview. Lovers of oriental culture should definitely visit Elista. Here is the most magnificent Buddha temple, famous throughout Europe. There is also a Buddhist monastery, the favorite place of the Dalai Lama during his visits to Kalmykia. In Elista, there is another amazing attraction - the Golden Gate, which fulfill all desires. Elista is an incredibly colorful city. Kalmyks are a vibrant nation. Here you can feel it in full. Beautiful national costumes, dances - all this distinguishes Kalmyks from other Asian and Mongolian nationalities. Elista is famous not only for Buddhist buildings. There are also sights dedicated to chess.
The fact is that chess for Kalmyks is considered a major hobby. World chess championships are regularly held here.
Temple "Golden Abode of the Buddha"
This khurul is considered one of the largest not only in the Republic of Kalmykia, but also in Europe. The temple takes pride of place in the very center of Elista (Yuri Klykov Street).
The height of the Hurul is 56 meters. Inside it stands a huge statue of Buddha (12 meters).
The temple is considered the main attraction of Elista. It is not only a beautiful and magnificent building. This is a place for performing rituals and worship of the Deity. The temple is surrounded by a symbolic fence, along the perimeter of which there are 108 stupas. You can enter the temple through the South Gate. There are three more entrances. Each of them is located in a certain part of the world. The architecture of the temple resembles a huge mandala. Approaching the building, you can see seventeen pagodas on which the statues of the great Buddhist monks and teachers rise.
Hurul has 7 levels. On the first level there is a museum, a conference room and a library. On the second level there is a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni and a prayer hall. The statue itself serves as a repository for jewelry, incense, earth, plants and cereals. Buddhists consider all this sacred objects. The leaf is covered with gold leaf and diamonds. The third level is designed for individual reception of visitors. Here are the rooms of monks, doctors of Tibetan medicine, astrologers and the administration of the temple. On the fourth level is a small conference room. Here you can find the head of the Buddhists of the Republic of Telo Tuluku Rinpoche. The fifth level is occupied by the residence of Tenzin Gyatzo (His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV). The sixth level is occupied by premises for household needs. Only clerics can rise to the seventh level for immersion in meditation.