Museum of the history of Buddhism in the capital of the Kalmykia Elista city is a subdivision of the National Museum. N. N. Palmov. The Museum is located on the ground level, perhaps the most famous landmark of the city – a Buddhist temple (khurul) "Golden abode of Buddha Shakyamuni".

The Kalmyks in Europe are the only people practicing Buddhism and Elista with 90-ies of the last century became the largest Buddhist centre in Russia. The building of the khurul, which houses the Museum was built in one year with the blessing of the Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama. Its opening in late 2005, the anniversary of the deportation of the Kalmyks in 1943 and to the national holiday of the Kalmyk people of Zul. The Cathedral is a magnificent structure fifty-meter height, where believers participate in a celebratory worship and prayer services. The temple has four entrances at the cardinal points around it are 17 temples with statues of Buddhist teachers, and the Central building of the khurul has seven levels. Library, meeting hall and Museum of Buddhism located on the first level, the second a majestic Golden statue of Buddha, decorated with diamonds. The third level belongs to the administration, it also hosts the reception, the doctors of Tibetan medicine and astrology. The other floors are used, the heads of Buddhists and monks.

The Museum of the history of Buddhism is quite large in size and well equipped. A large part of the Museum exhibition devoted to the photos, valuable documents, objects of art, ancient and modern, religious subjects, including the mystical Buddhist masks used in the dance of mystery Tsam. In the halls are also thematic stands, revealing the history of Buddhism in Kalmykia and major milestones in the history of the temple.

Museum of the history of Buddhism is great for short excursions, admission is free, but around the perimeter of the Museum placed the bowl for collecting alms. It should be noted that it is important for tourists, taking pictures in the Church and in the Museum is prohibited, and at the entrance to the Museum, as in the temple, shoes must be removed.