Archival documents of the Lamai Spiritual Board as a source for studying the history of Buddhism in Kalmykia in the mid-19th century

Based on archival documents from the I-42 “Lama Spiritual Administration” fund (1835-1898) of the National Archives of the Republic of Kalmykia, the article explores the religious policy of the Russian state towards the Lamaic Church and the Kalmyks, who practiced Buddhism-Lamaism in the mid-19th century. During this period, the Russian government had historical experience of interacting with the Muslim and Catholic worlds, but lacked sufficient knowledge about the Buddhist faith and its impact on the Kalmyks’ daily lives. After studying the composition and content of the archival documents of the Lamai Spiritual Board, many of which have been introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, the author concludes that the government agencies studied the rules of the Lamai Khuruls for managing the Khuruls and the clergy, as well as the Kalmyk rituals, religious holidays, everyday life, and traditions of the Kalmyk people, before making a decision. In Kalmyk historiography, the documents of the Lamai Spiritual Board have been examined in the context of the development of Buddhism.