Buddhist Texts Published by Kalmyk Monks: 1900–1918

Abstract

Introduction. The changes in Imperial Russia’s socioeconomic structures witnessed by the mid-to-late 19th century led to the development of education in Kalmyk society. In the early 20th century, the ethnic intelligentsia initiated a national newspaper, participated in the preparation of textbooks and dictionaries for Kalmyk schools. And the Buddhist clergy were actively involved in the renovation processes. After a long break, ties with the Mongolian and Buddhist worlds were being restored. Congresses of Kalmyk priests were developing measures for the opening of Buddhist educational institutions and intensifying Buddhist publication activities. Goals. The study seeks to analyze Clear Script texts published by the Kalmyk clergy between 1900 and 1918. Results. The mentioned texts were essentially to serve the needs of ordinary believers. However, our comparative analysis of printed editions and handwritten texts shows the level of the ethnic written tradition among Kalmyk monks had decreased dramatically. At the same time, handwritten Clear Script books were still actively circulating within Kalmyk society proper. So, the study focuses on texts of printed Kalmyk-language publications issued by Kalmyk clerics in the early 20th century and stored at the Russian State Library, Russian National Library, and ones included in scientific collections of Oriental research centers. The comparative analysis involves independent handwritten copies of theirs from private and scientific Oirat manuscript collections.

Keywords

• renovation processes
• kalmyk clergy
• buddhist texts
• publishing
• lithography
• manuscript