Like every religion in Russia, Buddhism is experiencing its Renaissance right now. After decades of forced atheism by Soviet Government the new cycle of turning to religion has begun.

Buddhism for Kalmyks became more than religion, it turned to a way of life. Kalmyks are proud people and they(we) do oppose them(our)selves to Islamic and Christian neighbors. Kalmyks never felt as part of Russian Empire, USSR or Russian Federation. Decades of systemic racism, deportation, etc never helped.

Kalmyk Buddhism as well as Buryat Buddhism have its unique features. It blended with Shamanism(something Kalmyks believed in before Buddhism)a lot. Worshipping traditional Buddhist characters comes alongside with worshiping nature(Tengri - Sky).