His Holiness the
Dalai Lama expresses wish to visit Russia
Dalai Lama expresses wish to visit Russia
[Tuesday, 30 November 2010, 9:53 p.m.]
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama begins a three-day sermon at the request of Russian Buddhists in Dharamsala, India, on Tuesday, 30 November 2010. Around 1,035 Russian Buddhists are attending the teachings along with more than 4,000 devotees from around 56 countries/OHHDL and Tibetonline TV |
DHARAMSHALA: His
Holiness the Dalai Lama has said he is eager visit Russia as wished by
many Buddhists in the Russian Federation and also due to the growing
interests in Tibetan religion and culture among the white Russians.
Holiness the Dalai Lama has said he is eager visit Russia as wished by
many Buddhists in the Russian Federation and also due to the growing
interests in Tibetan religion and culture among the white Russians.
“Many Buddhists in Russia always
want me to come there. I am very eager to visit old and new friends in
Russia, and share my thoughts with the people,” His Holiness said during
a press conference with a group of around 27 Russian journalists at his
residence on Monday. Telo Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Buddhist
Republic of Kalmykia, attended the conference.
want me to come there. I am very eager to visit old and new friends in
Russia, and share my thoughts with the people,” His Holiness said during
a press conference with a group of around 27 Russian journalists at his
residence on Monday. Telo Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Buddhist
Republic of Kalmykia, attended the conference.
His Holiness said he would visit
if the Russian government shows green signal.
if the Russian government shows green signal.
His Holiness said he had the
opportunity to spend times in the USSR since 1979 and also during the
period of Boris Yeltsin. But in recent times, even transit is difficult,
he added.
opportunity to spend times in the USSR since 1979 and also during the
period of Boris Yeltsin. But in recent times, even transit is difficult,
he added.
Reminiscing about Tibet’s past
ties with Russia, he said we maintained some contact with the Russian
Czar and the 13th Dalai Lama received some pocket watches as gifts from
the Czar which he kept in his room in Lhasa. And some historians believe
that Tibetans maintained relationship with the Czar and Russian
government through a Russian monk named Ngawang Dorjee (also known as
Agvan Dorjiev), His Holiness said.
ties with Russia, he said we maintained some contact with the Russian
Czar and the 13th Dalai Lama received some pocket watches as gifts from
the Czar which he kept in his room in Lhasa. And some historians believe
that Tibetans maintained relationship with the Czar and Russian
government through a Russian monk named Ngawang Dorjee (also known as
Agvan Dorjiev), His Holiness said.
The Buddhist communities in the
Russian Federation such as Kalmykia, Tuva and Buryat have been following
Buddhism for centuries on. During my teenage days, some top scholars
from these Buddhist communities came to Tibet,” His Holiness said.
Russian Federation such as Kalmykia, Tuva and Buryat have been following
Buddhism for centuries on. During my teenage days, some top scholars
from these Buddhist communities came to Tibet,” His Holiness said.
So traditionally Tibet had some
very close connection with Russia, he added.
very close connection with Russia, he added.
Russia is a very important
nation, a bridge between Asia and Europe. Given its rich natural
resources, Russia can play a role, His Holiness said.
nation, a bridge between Asia and Europe. Given its rich natural
resources, Russia can play a role, His Holiness said.
Replying to question by a
journalist from the Republic of Kalmykia, His Holiness said the very
name Dalai Lama came from Mongolia, so we had some connection with the
people of Kalmykia. Since the Kalmyks have preserved the Buddhist
tradition, it is my duty to serve them.
journalist from the Republic of Kalmykia, His Holiness said the very
name Dalai Lama came from Mongolia, so we had some connection with the
people of Kalmykia. Since the Kalmyks have preserved the Buddhist
tradition, it is my duty to serve them.
So far, many monk and lay
students – over 240 students from Buryat, Tuva and Kalmykia, 5,000 from
the Himalayan regions – are undertaking religious studies in the Tibetan
refugee community. Out of 120 students from Buryat, some 17 students
have reached the academic position to attain Geshe Degree. Some of the
graduates who studied in the Tibetan refugee institutions have returned
to their native places to build schools, serve Buddhism by working in
monasteries and engage in social services.
students – over 240 students from Buryat, Tuva and Kalmykia, 5,000 from
the Himalayan regions – are undertaking religious studies in the Tibetan
refugee community. Out of 120 students from Buryat, some 17 students
have reached the academic position to attain Geshe Degree. Some of the
graduates who studied in the Tibetan refugee institutions have returned
to their native places to build schools, serve Buddhism by working in
monasteries and engage in social services.
To a request from the Kalmyk
journalist for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message to Kalmykia on
Gaden Ngamchoe, His Holiness extended his special greetings to the
people of Kalmykia on the death anniversary on Je Tsongkhapa, which the
Kalmyks traditionally observe as New Year. Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of
Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism, attained parinirvana on 25th day of
10th lunar month.
journalist for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message to Kalmykia on
Gaden Ngamchoe, His Holiness extended his special greetings to the
people of Kalmykia on the death anniversary on Je Tsongkhapa, which the
Kalmyks traditionally observe as New Year. Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of
Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism, attained parinirvana on 25th day of
10th lunar month.
His Holiness called on the
Kalmyks to study both science and traditional education. “A fuller
knowledge of these will help develop full conviction to study Buddha
dharma through investigation and experiment in a scientific approach.
Many scientists are eager to learn from Buddhists on how the study of
human emotions such as love and compassion could bring positive changes
in the world,” he said.
Kalmyks to study both science and traditional education. “A fuller
knowledge of these will help develop full conviction to study Buddha
dharma through investigation and experiment in a scientific approach.
Many scientists are eager to learn from Buddhists on how the study of
human emotions such as love and compassion could bring positive changes
in the world,” he said.
His Holiness offered through
oral transmission a set of prayers of Lord Buddha and Je Tsongkhapa to
the people of Kalmykia.
oral transmission a set of prayers of Lord Buddha and Je Tsongkhapa to
the people of Kalmykia.
The visiting journalists also
met the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Kalon Tripa Prof
Samdhong Rinpoche on the same day.
met the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Kalon Tripa Prof
Samdhong Rinpoche on the same day.
