MOSCOW:The Russian Academy of Sciences’ branch in Moscow of the Institute of Oriental Studies organised a Round-Table Conference on “Historical and Spiritual Relations of Tibet with Russia, India and Mongolia” in the capital of Russia on November 12, 2014. The chief organiser of the Round-Table, Dr. Tatiana L. Shaumian, announced that it was dedicated to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, as Tibetans observe 2014 as the “Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”

Dr. Shaumian welcomed the scholars and guests from several cities of Russia and briefly introduced the importance of the conference. It was opened by the Deputy Director of  the Institute of Oriental Studies. Such Round-Table Conference on Tibet, Russia, India and Mongolia was held first time in the capital of Russia, according to Dr. Shaumian.  Telo Tulku Rinpoche, Shajian (Head) Lama of Kalmyk Buddhists, gave his speech on “The Dalai Lama and the Post-Soviet Era”, touching on the spiritual connection between the Dalai Lama and traditionally Buddhists in three Republics – Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva.

Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Russia and CIS, Nawang Rabgyal, while expressing the deep appreciation and big thanks to the Institute for organising the conference and specially for dedicating it to the Dalai Lama, presented his paper on ” A Brief Survey of Tibetan-Russian Relations from 17th to 21st Centuries”, focusing on historical, spiritual, cultural and political aspects of relations.

It was followed by the presentation of paper by Buryat nun scholar, Dr. I.S. Urbanaeva on” Comparative Aspects of the Formation of Tibetan and Chinese Traditions of Buddhism in the context of the Problem of Authentic Buddhism”.

Geshe Ngawang Thugje of FPMT spoke on “Buddhism and Science”. Prof. S. Y. Lepekhov delivered his paper on “Some Problem of Preservation of the Tibetan Culture and Return of Buddhism to India”.

Dr. Andrey A. Terentyev, Editor of Buddhism in Russia and H.H. the Dalai Lama’s translator during the visits to Russia in 1991-95, spoke on his experience and observation of “Meeting with the Dalai Lama”.

During lunch break, an excursion was arranged to the Tibetan Collections in the Institute.Then continued the presentation of papers by several scholars.  Dr. Sergei Kuzmin, one of the organizers of Round-Table and author of the book on Tibet, was the last speaker. He spoke about “Tibetan-Mongolian Civilization”.

The conference was concluded at 5.00 pm with comments by Dr. Tatiana Shaumian, who spoke on ” Tibetology in Russia in the Context of Historical Contacts of Russia with Tibet”.