We continue the column “The Khurul in Faces,” featuring Getsul Sanal Mandzhiev

He began his path as a monk at the age of 17, while a first-year student…

We want to continue our column “The Khurul in Faces,” and today the focus of our camera is Getsul Tenzin Tsultim (Sanal Mandzhiev).

After graduating from the secondary school of the village of Dzhalykovo in the Lagan district, Sanal Mandzhiev enrolled at the Astrakhan State Technical University. In May 2016 his life changed radically after he first became acquainted with the Buddhist Teaching, delved into its philosophy, communicated closely with monks, and realized how deeply it all resonated with him. The young man had more and more questions to which he wanted to find answers… and so he became a novice (mandzhik) at the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia. Having studied the fundamentals of Buddhism and learned to speak the Tibetan language, the hero of our video story was sent to Drepung Gomang (India), where he is still studying now.

“I am a third-year student; studying comes fairly easily on the whole. Perseverance is important here. For me personally, the example of what a true monk should be like is Sanal Gelung Mukubenov, who is always ready to help, always explains and shows everything, and most importantly, his kindness and compassion🙏There are 5 of us from Kalmykia studying there,” says Getsul Tenzin Tsultim (Sanal Mandzhiev).

Today Getsul Sanal is in Kalmykia. While some documentation matters are being resolved, he is enjoying every day in his native homeland. “There is no air anywhere like the air here in Kalmykia,” the monk shares with us with a smile. And ahead of him are the next final exams, the successful passing of which gives the opportunity to move on to the next year — and according to his plans there are as many as 16 of them