Boris Dochkaev, About Lama Sandzhi Ulanov

Boris talks about two lamas, namely Sandzhi and Zodva: Sandzhi lama and Zodva lama were good friends and often paid a visit to each other. Sandzhi lived in Khar-Buluk village, whereas Zodva lived in Volodarovskiy sovkhoz. When Zodva died, Tibetan monks read a memorial service for him. Since he was originally from Baga-Chonos, Zodva was supposed to be buried there. A car was ready to transport the deceased, when Sandzhi lama arrived and asked me, ‘Did Tibetan monks come?’ I said, ‘Yes, they were here’. - ‘Did they read the prayers?’ - ‘Yes’ - ‘Did they count 49 days from the moment of death?’ - ‘Yes, they did’. Sandzhi lama entered Zodva’s room where he kept his altar and asked me to bring a bowl of milk saying, ‘Now, I will read prayers for him. We have agreed with him on this. I am a pure monk, and I never broke a single vow. But Zodva was married. That is why I shall read a memorial prayer to send him off’. I asked him, ‘What shall we feed the guests with?’, to which Sandzhi replied, ‘Let them eat and drink whatever they want’. On his way to his car Sandzhi said. ‘First goes Zodva, I follow him next’. Zodva died on 16 February. In March of the same year Sandzhi passed away. Before his death Sandzhi said to me, ‘There was nothing good here and there will be nothing good there, but I’ll have to go’. He stopped breathing. I witnessed all this and I tell you this as my testament.Sponsored by Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwi