Buddhist Texts Published by Kalmyk Monks: 1900–1918
https://doi.org/10.22162/2500-1523-2022-4-814-833
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.
Supporting agencies: The reported study was funded by government assignment (Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia), project no. 075-03-2022-119/1 ‘Buddhism and Global Challenges of the Modern World’.
About the Author
Baazr A. Bicheev
Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University (11, Pushkin St., 358000 Elista, Russian Federation)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (Philosophy), Professor
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Review
For citations:
Bicheev B.A. Buddhist Texts Published by Kalmyk Monks: 1900–1918. Mongolian Studies. 2022;14(4):814-833. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22162/2500-1523-2022-4-814-833
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