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Mongolian and Russian Buddhist gala begins 6 Nov in Dharamshala

Wednesday, 31 October 2007, 7:00 p.m.


Telo Rinpoche, spiritual head of Republic of Kalymkia addressing a press conference this morning for the upcoming Mongolian and Russian Buddhist festival from 6 to 10 November 2007 in Dharamshala(Photo: Sangjey Kep)
Dharamshala: For the first time ever, Mongolia and Russian Republics of Kalmykia, Tuva and Buryatia are jointly organizing a grand Buddhist festival in Dharamshala from 6 to 10 November.

A large contingent of official dignitaries and media delegation from the Mongolia and Russian Republics of Kalmykia,Tuva and Buryatia are expected to attend the 5-day Buddhist festival.

The festival will start with a Mongolian and Russian Buddhists art exhibition at the Tibet Museum of the Department of Information and International Relations.

Addressing mediapersons this morning, Telo Rinpoche, spiritual head of the Buddhists in Russian republics Kalmykia said, "We the Buddhists of Mongolia and Russian Buddhists are offering a long life prayer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 10 November."

He said, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama has become very popular all around the world, as we know recently, after receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal, presidents and prime ministers of many states and government are meeting His Holiness in public."

He added, "It is a big victory not only for the Tibetan people, but for the Mongolians and Buddhists in Russia and Buddhists all over the world."


Telo Rinpoche interacting with local and Tibetan media persons
He said, "His Holiness is not only the spiritual leader of Tibetan people, but he is also leader of the Buddhists in Mongolia and Russia as well," adding, "Our relationship did not started in just 15 to 20 years. If look into the history of Tibetan people, our connections goes back to centuries."

"It is responsibility as an independent republics to share this experience, and rejuvenate the history, since many of the younger generation have very little knowledge about our history," he said.

He said, "It is our responsibility to share this experience, share our historical connections and remind the people that this historical relationship is not new. It is something, which existed for centuries."

He said, "During the last 20 to 30 years, we were silent because we did not have a choice, since Mongolia was a communist country, these three Buddhist republics lived under communist rule."

He added, "In the early nineties, during the collapse of Soviet Union, we have very limited access to outside world. But over the years, due to growing number of students, pilgrimage and delegations, now, it is appropriate time to share this experience with the people."

He said, "The idea of bringing dance troupes to present cultural performances and organize art exhibition is to provide people coming from all the world with an educational experience and to learn the connections between Tibetans and Russian republics of Kalmykia, Tuva and Buryatia. "

He said, the government of Mongolia and three Russian republics have supported this idea 100 per cent, which shows their commitment towards this cause.

"Because of Russia's friendly relations with China, we are unfortunately not able to invite His Holiness," he said.

He said, "Notwithstanding discrimination, we have waited 12 years for the visit of His Holiness, since his brief visit to the republic of Kalmykia in late 2004. During these period many people died and they only wished to get a glimpse of His Holiness."

"We have to overcome the communist mentality, people's way of life and thinking and for that, Russia is in need of the message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, of love, compassion, tolerance," he said.

He said, the President of Kalmykia was not able to attend the award ceremony of the US Congressional gold medal to Washington, despite his best effort to make it to the award function, due to political pressure from China.

During the course of the 5-day festival, the delegations will visit Tibetan cultural, educational and medical institutions based in Dharamshala.

The dance troupes from Mongolia, Buriyat and Tuva will present cultural performances at major venues, including, Tsuglagkhang,Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Tibetan Children's Village school.

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

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