Agvan Eshey, My Family Rosary and 'Wind Horse' Flags

Abstract

Lama Agvan Eshey says that he inherited his rosary, or prayer beads, from his grandfather’s brother who was a lama of the Merkit clan in Rostovskaya oblast. In the past, many Kalmyk lamas in the Don were from this clan, including lama Menke Bormandzhinov and lama Sharap Tepkin. Agvan Eshey also says ‘wind horse’ flags (ki morn) symbolize a harmony with the wind, and bring luck and success. Based on their year of birth, people choose ‘wind horse’ flags of different colors and put them up in certain directions (west, east, south-west, etc.).