Moscow: “Three visits of His Holiness the Dalai-Lama” – an itinerant photo exhibition which opened today in the Central Buddhist Monastery “Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” in the Buddhist Republic of Kalmykia. The exhibition was organized for the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of “Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni”.
The works showcased within the exhibition are depicting the visit of His Holiness the Dalai-lama XIV in Kalmykia in 1991, 1992, and 2004 years. The collection of photos belongs to Nikolay Boshev – Honored Culture Worker & Photographer of Kalmyk Republic.
The Honorary Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama to Russia, Telo Tulku Rinpoche welcomed the participants and guests. In his opening remarks, he reminded all that this year His Holiness turned 85 years old and the year 2020 was declared the International “Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai-lama XIV” by Buddhists from all over the world, and this exhibition specially tailored to this occasion.
In his address, Telo Tulku Rinpoche shared memorable moments of H.H. the Dalai Lamas visit to the Kalmyk republic and thanked Nikolay Boshev for his many years of service by presenting him with the “Shadjin Lama Certificate of Appreciation” and a ceremonial scarf – khadak. Telo Rinpoche said. “I respect you very much for your skills and talent, your wonderful works, and for your modesty.”
The exhibition “Three visits of His Holiness the Dalai-lama” will remain open and all comers will be able to enjoy it on the second floor of Central Buddhist Monastery till the exhibition will be sent to other regions of the Republic.
During this event, a presentation of three new books were also held at the venue: A photo album book dedicated to Year of Gratitude towards H.H. the Dalai-lama in Kalmykia”, “The repressed Buddhist clergy in 1920-1930. A list of names of Kalmyk monks” and a book with the collection of daily prayers in Kalmyk language
A book of photo album was created by a group of artists led by Viktor Pompaev and Nikolay Boshev. Art editor – Dzhangar Tatninov, photo editor – Elena Bosheva, text and annotation were written by Dr. Elza Bakaeva. First copies of the book were presented to Honorary Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama, Telo Tulku Rinpoche, to the Abbot of Central Buddhist Monastery – Andzha gelung and to the monastic sangha of Monastery.
The book “The repressed Buddhist clergy in 1920-1930. A list of names of Kalmyk monks” was developed by Central Kalmyk Khurul in collaboration with the National Archive of Kalmyk Republic. This book unveils unknown facts and identifies the lost names of old Kalmyk monks. This book will be of great use to historians, buddhologists, and religious scholars.
The event concluded with the presentation of a book of the collection of daily prayers. The book addresses the basis of Buddhist practice in Kalmyk and Russian languages. The drafting of this book was collaborative efforts between Gennadyi Korneev –the head of the Development Center for Kalmyk language, Yonten gelung – Senior administrator of Central Kalmyk Khurul, Sogar Muchkinov – the chairman of the Buddhists community, Acharya Bem Mitruev, Oleg Chudutov – an artist, and Dhzangar Kukeev. The book is divided into two parts, the first part deals with the basis of daily Buddhists practice, and the second one is devoted to Buddhas’s praise and mantras.
The book took a long time in making, according to Gennadyi Korneev. It has been completely retranslated directly from Tibetan into Kalmyk language and corrected without using auxiliary languages like it was done before. The authors said: Working on this book, we cross-referenced with more than eighty-six versions of Tibetan texts of different volumes, created a dictionary that consists of more than 6000 words, terms, and concepts.
Today, we can say, that the tradition to translate, established by Zaya Pandita, has been brought back to life on Kalmyk soil with the Blessing and prayers of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama.
–Filed by Office of Tibet, Moscow