Ivan says that the Cheerya Khurul, a philosophical school, was built in Iki-Chonos in 1913. It had more than 100 students who were taught by teachers from Tibet, Buryatia and Mongolia. When the Soviets came to power, the building was put to another use and the monks were arrested. In 1997 the local people rebuilt the temple. People from other parts of Kalmykia, including Orgakin and Uldyuchin, also helped in the construction. Today the monk who conducts rituals at the the Cheerya Khurul is Tibetan.
