His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th Birthday Celebration In Russia [Friday, 9 July 2010, 4:44 p.m.]
Moscow: The 75th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and
temporal leader of Tibetan people, was celebrated on 6th July at Dom
Kino at House of Cinema in the center of Moscow. The ceremony began
with His Holiness’ long life prayer, chanted by Ani Choying Dolma, a
well-known Tibetan nun singer residing in Nepal, and have especially
came to Russia to participate in the 75th birthday celebration of His
Holiness and by offering the traditional scarf to the portrait of His
Holiness by the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to
Russia, Tibetans and others. Representative Nawang Rabgyal,
while welcoming the guests and friends from different aspects of life,
spoke on the view and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His
Holiness’ three main commitments in life. The Representative Rabgyal
said: “For the Tibetan people, His Holiness is not only the spiritual
and temporal leader but he is the source of our inner strength and
happiness. He is the symbol of our unity, the symbol of our hope and
aspiration. The Tibetan people owe him greatly for leading us in this
most difficult and critical period in the history of Tibet. Tibet has a
recorded history of more than 2000 years and civilization of over 300
years.” Further the representative narrated on the cultural
and spiritual contact between the people of Russian Federation and
Tibetans established in 17th century, when Buddhism began to spread in
the territories of Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva in Russian Federation.
“Moreover, Russia was the first European country to have diplomatic
contact with independent Tibet in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. The great 13th Dalai Lama and Tsar Nicholas II had exchanged
several letters and gifts. The first Buddhist temple in Europe was
built in St. Petersburg, then capital of Russia, in early 20th century
with financial contributions from His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama”,
said Mr. Nawang Rabgyal. The second speaker was Rev. Telo
Tulku Rinpoche, the head of Kalmyk Temple and President of Buddhist
Community of Kalmyk Republic, who spoke on the view and activities of
His Holiness, emphasizing on the need to develop human value.
It was followed by the presentation of the Office of the Dalai Lama’s
website, which is now translated in Russian, by Mrs. Julia Jironkina,
the founder and director of Moscow-based Save Tibet Foundation.
This was followed by spiritual songs in praise of the Guru Padma
Sambha, Tara, Chenrezig and the Buddhas chanted by Ani Choying Dolma.
Chanting spiritual songs were received highly by the audience. Her
wonderful song and chanting performances were followed by screening a
film “What Remains Behind Us“. The public celebration
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday in Moscow on 6th July was
organized jointly by the Tibet Culture and Information Center, the
official agency of Central Tibetan Administration, and Save Tibet
Foundation. It was attended by the distinguished guests and friends
belonging to different aspects of life, such as, parliament members,
government officials, academicians, and journalists as well as the
followers and admirers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and friends and
supporters of Tibet and Tibetans. A reception in honour of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th birthday celebration was hosted by
Tibet Culture and Information Center and Save Tibet foundation on 8th
July at Tibet Himalaya Restaurant. The Buddhists in three
traditional Buddhist Republics in Russia: Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva
also celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday with great joy
and happiness. –Report filed by Tibet Culture & Information Centre, Moscow.
