Mergen talks about what makes Buddhism in Kalmykia distinctive from how it is practiced in Tibet and among other Mongolian peoples: No one knows what Buddhism was like in the very beginning. Therefore, to talk about authenticity or inauthenticity of certain Buddhist practices is pointless. Since religious thought constantly changes and transforms, people should understand that there is no such thing as ‘pure teachings of the Buddha’. In terms of number, the Kalmyks have more Buddhist rites than they have in Tibet. Professor A. Pozdneev also noted that Kalmyks had rites for almost every occasion in life. That is the reason why today some Kalmyk lamas say that Kalmyks have their own Kalmyk Buddhism. Buddhism in Kalmykia is peculiar because of its individualized approach, including individual prayers, an individual reception by the lama, individual rituals, etc. In Tibet, by contrast, monasteries and temples are large and people come there and receive blessings from a common prayer or ritual. The same applies to Mongolia. It is possible that in Kalmykia, where temples were smaller, a new form of Buddhism was born, prioritizing individual prayers and practices. Buddhist peoples also differ in terms of when they celebrate holidays. Kalmyks celebrate Zul as their New year, whereas for northern Buddhists Tsagan Sar is their New Year. Until 1771, however, Kalmyks also celebrated New Year during Tsagan Sar.