Visiting the Khurul

Recommendations for visiting the Khurul

About the Monastery

The Buddhist monastery “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” is the main Buddhist temple (khurul) of Kalmykia. Khuruls — the name Kalmyks have used for Buddhist monasteries and temples since the early 19th century — were centres of learning and culture, and the clergy formed the educated part of society. The khurul was given its name by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who consecrated the construction site in 2004. The khurul was inaugurated on 27 December 2005.

The khurul building is over 60 metres tall, and its grounds are enclosed by an openwork fence with 108 stupas. Along the first (outer) circle around the khurul stand 17 rotundas with statues of the panditas — great Buddhist teachers of the Indian monastery of Nalanda — and 4 large prayer wheels (kürde); along the second (inner) circle there are 108 prayer wheels. On the square in front of the main southern entrance stands a sculpture of the White Elder, traditionally revered by Kalmyks as the patron of the land, guardian of life and prosperity.

By circumambulating the khurul clockwise, we pay homage to the Teaching of the Buddha, the Teachers and the holy objects — “the path of accumulating virtue and veneration”. The prayer hall of the khurul — the Dugan (on level 2) — houses a majestic nine-metre statue of Buddha Shakyamuni; the walls are covered with rich murals painted in mineral pigments and gold. Every day from 9:00 the Dugan hosts morning prayer rituals for the well-being of the Kalmyk people, the prosperity of the republic, and the happiness and health of all living beings, and every Friday at 14:00 a memorial prayer service (yöräl) is held.

In the courtyard of the khurul there is a “Kibitka complex” housing the Museum of the History of Buddhism in Kalmykia and a pavilion offering religious literature and ritual items. On level 1 of the khurul building there is a 418-seat conference hall, where Teachings, seminars and lectures for devotees take place, as well as consultation rooms where the khurul’s monks and doctors of Tibetan medicine receive laypeople by appointment.

Visiting Hours

Winter season

үвлин цагт

7:00 — 17:00

Summer season

зуна цагт

7:00 — 19:00

Visiting Rules

«Бурхн Багшин Алтн Сүмд» золһлһна зокалмуд

  1. Traditionally, circumambulation of Buddhist sacred objects and turning of the prayer wheels (kürde) are done clockwise.

    Тогтсн авъясар бурхн багшин әрүн тосхлтсиг зөв эргдмн, күрдсиг бас эрк биш зөв эргүлх кергтә.

  2. The altar area is reserved for worshippers only.

    Бурхна шүтәнд зуг сүзгч улс өөрдҗ мөргдмн.

  3. Show respect to the monks, heed their advice, and do not sit in the seats reserved for monks.

    Лам-хувргудыг күндлҗ, тевчҗ, эднә үг соңсҗ йовтн, эднә шишлң ормд сууҗ болшго.

  4. Be polite, respectful and tolerant towards everyone present.

    Эргндк улсиг күндлҗ, эдниг тесҗ, һольшг кевәр бийән бәртн.

  5. Do not run, wave your arms, laugh or talk loudly, hold indecent conversations, make noise or use foul language.

    Нааран-цааран гүүҗ, һарарн дайлҗ, дуутаһар инәҗ, дууһан өгч дуһарч, болх-болшго юмна тускар күүндҗ, шууга татҗ, эрк биш бузр үг келҗ болшго.

  6. On the monastery grounds, wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees (men are advised to wear trousers or below-the-knee shorts; women — dresses or skirts below the knee), hair should be neatly gathered, and it is best to avoid perfume, bright make-up and flashy jewellery when visiting the monastery.

    Сүмд эрк биш ээм-далан болн өвдгән бүркдг хувц өмсх кергтә (залу улст – шуңһрцгта шалвр, күүкд улст – бүшмүд, ут хормата хувц), үсән хурах кергтә, ирхиннь өмн нүр-чирәһән дегәд будхмн биш, зөвәр бийән кеерүлхмн биш, каңкнсн үнр бий деерән цацх дуран невчк таттн.

  7. Take off your shoes and headwear when entering the Buddhist temple; mobile phones must be switched off or set to silent mode. Photography and video recording inside are prohibited. Behave modestly and decently.

    Бурхн багшин хурлд орхларн, үүдн хоорнд һосн-башмган болн махлаһан тәәлх кергтә, телефоһан унтратн эс гиҗ дун уга кетн. Зург цокҗ, видео татҗ болшго. Бийән һольшгар, өр-җөөлнәр бәртн.

  8. When leaving the hall, do not turn your back on the Buddha.

    Мөргүлин хораһас һархларн, эрк биш цухрҗ һарх кергтә.

  9. Do not come intoxicated.

    Сүмд согтуһар ирҗ болшго.

  10. The following is strictly prohibited on the monastery grounds:

    • drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking, blowing your nose, spitting, littering;
    • bringing in weapons; flammable, explosive, toxic, strong-smelling or radioactive substances; sharp or cutting objects;
    • walking on the lawns, having picnics or photo shoots.

    Сүмин дотр болн сүмин эргндк һазрт төрүц:

    • әрк-чаһр ууҗ, наркотик эдлҗ, тәмк татҗ, нусан нииҗ, нульмҗ, хог-бог тараҗ болшго;
    • зер-зев, түүмр шатх болн хаһрх әәмшгтә, хорта, үнртә болн радиоактивн юмс, шаадг болдн керчдг эд-тавр авч ирҗ болшго;
    • тәрчксн тәрмр өвсн (газон) деерәһәр йовҗ, хот-хол ууҗ, зург цоклһна үүл татҗ болшго.