Lecture and Teaching Series on Tibetan Culture in Russian Federation [Wednesday, 10 March 2010, 12:07 p.m.]
Moscow: Venerable Geshe Lhakdor, director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
based in Dharamsala, visited Russian Federation from 22 February to 6
March 2010 to deliver a series of talks and teachings on Tibetan
Buddhist cultural heritage, which was organised by Moscow-based Tibet Culture and Information Center, an official agency of Central Tibetan Administration.
 |
| File photo of Geshe Lhakdor la |
Ven Geshe Lhakdor served as translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for more than 16 years.The
first leg of Geshe Lhakdor’s teaching tour took place on 23 February in
Elista, capital of Kalmyk Republic, at the invitation of Kalmyk
Buddhist Temple. Geshe Lhakdor and Representative Nawang Rabgyal were
received at Elista airport by Buddhists, Vice-Chairman of Kalmyk
Parliament, Friends of Tibet Society and journalists. After paying
visit to the main Buddhist temple, which was led by Telo Tulku
Rinpoche, President of Kalmyk Buddhists, they had meeting with Kalmyk
Deputy Minister of Education and Culture. In the evening they had Meet
with Press and answered to various questions on Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism
and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit. On 24 February Geshe
Lhador gave a talk on “Education from the Buddhist Perspective” to 310
Kalmyk schoolteachers in two session: morning and afternoon. The next
day morning he spoke on “Buddhism and My Future” to over 400 students
of high schools. And later in the afternoon he delivered a lecture to
400 college and university students and answered to their questions. On
the third day, he gave talk on “Buddhism, Science, Philosophy, Culture
and Religion” to 160 scholars and scientists. During his four-day visit
to Kalmyk Republic, Geshe Lhakdor also gave teachings to Buddhists
every day from 6 to 8 pm at the main temple. While in Moscow,
on 28 February, Geshe Lhakdor participated in a round table discussion
on “Buddhism and Science: Collaboration and Opportunities to Explore
Inner World”, which was held at the International Roerich Museum. He
spoke on Buddhist and Scientific Approach for a Better World; and
Holistic Mental and Physical Health. The event was organised by
Intercultural Counselling and Health Center “Traditions of the World”.
In the evening, Geshe Lhakdor gave a talk on “Buddhism in the 21st
Century” to over 200 Buddhists at Moscow Open World Center. The
next day, Representative Nawang Rabgyal and Geshe Lhakdor were
interviewed by Radio Echo and answered to questions on various aspects
of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. In the evening Geshe Lhakdor delivered a
lecture to a fully packed hall of Russian Culture Center: New Akropol.
The event was organised by Moscow-based Save Tibet foundation.On
the third day in Moscow, Geshe Lhakdor gave teachings to doctors and
members of Buryat organization called Naran “Tibetan Medicine Center”. The
last leg of his talk and teaching tour was organised in St. Petersburg,
former capital of Russia. On 3 March Geshe Lhakdor spoke on “The
Buddhist and Contemporary Scientific Understanding of the Nature of
Body and Mind”, which was organised by St. Petersburg University and
attended by over 300 students and scholars. The next day, he gave
teaching on “Meditation and Practice of Emptiness in Daily Life” to
over 350 Buddhists at Datsang Kun-tse-cho-ling, the first Buddhist
Temple in Europe, which was built with the financial contribution from
the great 13th Dalai Lama in 1909-1913, when independent Tibet and
Russian emperor Nicholas II had diplomatic contacts. In all
places, where Geshe Lhakdor gave talks and teachings, people listened
very attentively and enjoyed his talks. Many requested him to revisit
Russia. His talks and teachings can be found in web site of event
organisers. As a whole, Geshe Lhador’s teaching tour was very
successful and meaningful as well. (Report filed by Moscow-based Tibet Culture and Information Center)
