Kalmyk Cultural Heritage Project (ASTROLOGY, LITURGY AND PRACTICE): Recent Episodes
Cambridge University
Due to its geographical isolation and remoteness from other Buddhist centres such as Tibet and Mongolia, Buddhism in Kalmykia has developed rituals that are either less prominent or unknown among other Mongolian groups. The cult of Tsagan Aav (White Old Man) is one of them. Elevated to the status of a national god, Tsagan Aav in Kalmykia is a powerful deity that both protects Kalmyk clans and individuals. Not only can his image be seen on domestic altars next to the Buddha Shakyamuni, but his name is mentioned in almost all prayers that Kalmyks recite during clan rituals and national celebrations such as Zul, Tsagan Sar and Ur(s) Sar. Among sacred days of each month, when people observe fasting (matsg), the day of honoring Tsagan Aav holds a special place. Apart from rituals, Kalmyks have also developed a unique astrological system of calculating Buddhist celebrations and astrological signs called meng which are based on Tibetan Buddhist astrology.
On this page, you can see videos about astrology, predictions, liturgy, prayers, sacred texts, rituals, and daily practices carried out by clergy and the laity alike.
Yuriy says that astrology is a universal science. According to him, astrology studies such diverse issues as the beginning of the universe, people as individuals, the existence or absence of freedom of choice etc. He says that Vedic astrology, which he respects, sees the universe as a work of God. Vedic astrology helps Kalmyk folk healers quickly and effectively make the correct diagnosis and cure sick people.
Yuriy talks about Mongolian astrology that Kalmyks have traditionally used to determine auspicious days for various events, including rituals, holidays, building a house, weddings, funerals, going on hunting trips. Mongolian astrology is also used for weather forecasting. According to Yuriy, the word zurkha ‘astrology’ derives from the word zurag, meaning ‘a picture’. Mongolian astrology has been influenced by astrological knowledge from China and Tibet.
Maria says that her paternal grandmother used to perform matsg (fasting) rituals three times a month during which she recited mantras holding a rosary in her hand. After prayers the grandmother used to give Maria and her sister candies or a piece of bread with a cup of milk. In her childhood Maria learnt about traditional taboos and bans from elderly people. For example, it is forbidden to cross one’s arms (if someone does so her/his mother will die); to hold one’s arms at the back; to lean one’s head on arms.
Danara says that this mantra should be recited with a rosary, and each bead in the rosary requires 10 recitals. Before reciting the mantra, Danara utters a well-wish so that the prayers bring benefit to all living beings.
Danara says that the era of Buddha Shakyamuni will be followed by that of Buddha Maitreya who will come to this world to spread a new doctrine. After reciting the mantra dedicated to Maitreya 21 times (Danara recites the mantra), the reciter should read a special praise to the future Buddha.
Danara says that the prayer of Baazr Dara is recited to bring wealth and well-being. Before reciting it, she utters a well-wish so that the prayers bring benefit to all living beings. It is a Sanskrit prayer, which includes Tibetan names of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. In the prayer, Buddhas and bodhisattvas are asked to endow people with well-being, health, and longevity.
Nadezhda says that she heard this prayer from one old woman in her 90s who learnt it from her uncle. This prayer is read to cleanse one’s house. The prayer mentions various Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Each quatrain in the prayer ends with the mantra of the compassionate and merciful bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
Known in Kalmykia as ‘Bain Namsrin Khural’, this ritual is performed to ask for success, wealth and health from Buddhist deities.
Dordzhi says that there are two kinds of candles, one dedicated to Buddhas and the other lit for one’s personal spiritual protectors. He explains where to put which candle:
Dordzhi says the following: I read books about stars. I know about the constellation of the Monkey and that of the Three Antelopes. The constellation of the Monkey appears at the end of summer when the weather becomes cold. It is followed by the constellation of the Three Antelopes (that consist of three stars). Other constellations that I know of are that of Seven Buddhas and the Golden Pole. No matter how dark it is outside, Kalmyks never got lost on the steppe, because they knew the sky well.
Bembya says the following: Judging by some old texts and cult objects, it can be said that Kalmyk Buddhism did not differ very much from Tibetan Buddhism. The only differences were in the pronunciation of mantras and monks' clothing. Prayers that were read during matsg, or fasting, days were Tibetan prayers, although some were Kalmyk prayers. In the past, during matsag, people read prayers early in the morning and resumed after lunch. Before fasting, people also took Mahayana vows.
Olga says that Eeldkhl Zyarlg, or the Book of Predictions, is for the Kalmyks what the Bible is for Christians. This Book contains predictions some of which – for example, about flying birds – have already materialized. Olga says that airplanes, various accidents, and fires that are all described in the Book serve as a proof that its predictions are indeed correct.
Matsg is a ritual performed by a group of elderly women. These rituals were known to have been carried out not only in Soviet times but also in pre-revolutionary Kalmykia. Olga says that old women performed matsg rituals three times a month. In her village, it was usually performed at Olga’s house, for her mother was blind and could not leave the house. The ritual consisted of reading prayers together by the women.
In this video Elza reads ‘Baazr Dari’, a famous Kalmyk prayer, from the magazine Teegin Gerl.
Elza says that all members in her family have their personal deity-protectors on top of Buddha Shakyamuni who is considered the protector of her whole family. One of her sons has Tsongkapa as his protector. Her eldest son’s protector is Amitayus. Elza’s sister-in-law’s protector is Namsra.
Antonina says that the Diamond sutra, which every Kalmyk household had in the past, has a deep Buddhist meaning.
A Buddhist, an Orthodox Christian and a Muslim have an argument about whose religion is the strongest. To settle this issue, they decide to pray in front of a wooden stick. From whose prayers the stick blossoms, that religion is the strongest. The Christian and the Muslim pray, but the stick does not blossom. When the turn comes to the Buddhist, he takes an amulet (bu) in one of his hands and begins to pray, while counting a rosary in his other hand. The moment he utters, ‘O, gracious gods! Let that what should happen to happen! (O, khyarkhn! Kyutskh yumn kutstkhya!), the stick blossoms.
In this video Boris talks about how he learnt about a Kalmyk prayer called Baazr Dara and then recites it.
Boris talks about an old Kalmyk prayer-blessing that he learnt from the lama Sandzhi Ulanov. He also recites the prayer.
This video features a group of women who perform a ritual of matsg (fasting) consisting of reading prayers in the tantric temple in Gorodovikovsk in December 2017. Referred to by people as matsgta (lit. those who are fasting), in the Soviet period these women were known to have gathered to read prayers and perform healing rituals, usually on children. Such group sessions were instrumental in keeping religious practices alive among the wider population when religion was banned.
In this interview Sanal mentions about Tsagan Aav and relays a story about 2 Buddhist statues that belong to his clan.
Vladimir says he often recites mantras. He learnt various mantras as a child from various people: his father, grandfather, and neighbors. Vladimir’s father was a monastic novice in his childhood. At that time, many monks behaved in un-monastic ways, drinking and partying. Novices had to memorize large Buddhist texts. One day, Vladimir’s father was beaten up by his teacher for not memorizing texts. He was left with a broken arm. After the beating, he left the temple for good. Since his parents were unhappy about him leaving the temple, Vladimir’s father also had to leave his home. In 1914, he, along with his brother, were mobilized to the front. Vladimir’s father had a rosary with which he recited mantras and performed divination.
Maria talks about religious practitioners among her ancestors, her clan protectors (deities) and inherited sutras.
Badma recounts a story about a Kalmyk man called Bryudikov Bodva who could control the weather:
This video features a short interview with Alexei about the Book of Predictions (Aldkhl Zyarlg).
Ubush describes karma as an energy field. In Buddhism, he carries on, one is advised to have positive thoughts and spiritual calmness. Expensive things could be useful, but to be sad about not having them is not worth the anxiety. Ubush advises – enjoy what you have. The Kalmyk word for life is zhirgl, which literally means ‘happiness’. Therefore, the Kalmyks try to live their lives as happily as possible. It is forbidden to laugh at night, because this act may lead to one losing his/her karma. Karma can be accumulated by honorable deeds, for example by feeding dogs, helping people etc. Merit (buyn) is a positive energy. People can increase their merit with the help of special prayers. According to Ubush, merit is something that is real and which is possible to accumulate. The notion of karma, in contrast, is more difficult to explain, insists Ubush. According to him, the Kalmyks, as a nation, have decreased their communal karma by fighting wars for other peoples. As a result, the Kalmyks have suffered a lot. On the other hand, the Kalmyks have a strong sense of fairness and persistence, and try to help others.
I recommend starting a day by reciting Itkl (refuge). I am interested in a Bodhicitta mind, to assist all living beings, to cultivate my compassion, my kindness, and love to all sentient beings. I recommend people to meditate, at least dedicate 10 to 15 minutes to meditation.
Lama Sanan says there are three fasting days (matsg odr) that fall on the 8th, 15th and 30th days of each month, according to the lunar calendar. In the tantra of Kalachakra it is written that on these special days the ‘power of time’ comes about. People should bow on these days. The Central Temple in Elista performs special rituals on these days as well.
Maria talks about her uncle (who was a lama), a clan ritual and a ritual to prolong one’s life.
Lidzhi recalls that when he was building a stupa his mother died. With the money that she had left him, Lidzhi bought paint and used it on the stupa. During the mourning period, it is forbidden to kill animals. If one needs meat, it is better to buy it in a shop. Karma, both positive and negative, is accumulated by people themselves.
Elza reminisces about her father, a folk healer, who could read the Book of Predictions (Aldkhl Zyarlg).
Anatoliy believes in Buddha, adheres to the Dalai Lama, and reads prayers. In his youth, he recalls, they also celebrated such religious holidays as Zul, Ur Sar, and Tsagan Sar. Anatoliy has Buddhist relics that he has inherited from his parents. He says that he is excited about the construction of a Buddhist temple in Moscow, which he read about in a newspaper.
Alexandr says that in Kalmykia people practise both Buddhism and pre-Buddhist beliefs, including a belief in the eternal sky (tengrianstvo) and shamanism. People should accept religion consciously through their life experiences and analytical thinking rather than being guided by emotions alone. He himself received a Buddhist blessing from two lamas, Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, and became a Buddhist. This does not stop him, however, from going to traditional healers who practise non-Buddhist beliefs.
Alexandr emphasises the importance of observing basic moral principles such as not stealing, not cheating, respecting one’s parents, etc. for these principles bring peace and harmony to one’s family and soul. He also talks about the role of women in the family, including the upbringing of children.
Sergei says that the Kalmyks of his generation were not taught about religion when they were young. He talks about his understanding of religion.
In this interview Bosya talks about which animals are auspicious to see or keep (livestock, the crane) and which are not (the fox, the ferret, and a bird which makes a strange human-like sound).