Dordzhi Nandyshev, about my ancestors who were monks

Abstract

Dordzhi talks about his ancestors: The Zyod Khurul was built by my relative called Baldzhir bagsh who was the abbot of that temple. All in all, there were about 7 men in my family who were monks. One of them had the title of gavdzhi. One day two policemen arrested him and pushed him into their car. On the way the car broke down and one of the policeman stayed with my ancestor while the other went on foot to get help. The gavdzhi asked if he could get out to stretch his legs. The policeman said ‘yes’ and the gavdzhi got out, sat on the ground and disappeared. Each clan in Kalmykia has its spiritual protector. My mother is from the Iki-Burul clan and she prays to the Dalai Lama. The protector of our clan of Zyod is the lama Tsongkhapa.