Russia: The gratitude year towards H.H. the Dalai lama on his 86th birthday concludes across the Russian Federation, Mongolia and CIS countries. The Tibetan Community in Mongolia had gathered at “Asral ” NGO center to commemorate the occasion.
Led by former Abbot of Namgyal Monastery and Gyuto monastery, Ven. Jhado Rinpoche, the Tibetan community in Mongolia has released sheep as an offering towards the long life of H.H. the Dalai Lama. It is a common practice among Buddhist to release animal and marine life to give life as a symbol of increasing one’s life and prosperity.
The Tibetans in Kalmyk Republic, Russia gathered in the morning at Central Buddhist Monastery and held a prayer session which was attended by Honorary Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama to Russia, Mongolia and CIS countries, Telo Tulku Rinpiche .
“Today I would like to thank H.H. the Dalai Lama sincerely for his kind attention towards the Russian Buddhist and I am sure that the day will come when we will be able to host His Holiness in Russia. Since 2009 we have had the opportunity to receive exclusive teachings for Russian Buddhist and we are fortunate to always have the chance to interact with him either in person or online which has been the mainstream since the pandemic has begun” said Telo Tulku Rinpoche.
Rinpoche requested the gathering to recite the Chenrezig mantra atleast 1000 times and dedicate the merit towards the Long life of H.H. the Dalai Lama.
In the afternoon, the Central Buddhist Monastery and the Kalmyk Tibetan Community paid visit to Old people’s home, orphanage, disability center and hospitals to thank the front-line workers and staff members for their compassionate work during the pandemic and distributed cakes to doctors, nurses and staff members. Also across Kalmykia, where ever there were lakes and rivers, fish was released to prolong life of H.H. the Dalai Lama.
The Buryat Republic, Russia was under strict lockdown due to spike of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 and despite that local Tibetan community was able to gather at Amchi Yarphel’s home to celebrate the auspicious occasion. The Tibetans in Tuva gathered with the local monastic community and well-wishers to make prayers dedicated to the long life of H.H. the Dalai Lama.
Friends of Tibet in Ukraine posted a large billboard wishing H.H. long Life and birthday greetings in Ukrainian language.
Moscow has been under strict rules against congregation but the few Tibetans living in Moscow gathered outdoors in one of the popular parks to recite mantras of Buddha of Compassion.
Save Tibet foundation Russia received copy rights to premiers the documentary film “Joy: Finding happiness in Challenging Times” online which was viewed by over a thousand people. A book ‘The Dalai Lama: An Extraordinary Life’ written by Alexander Norman and translated into Russian by Save Tibet Foundation Russia was also released. Deputy Director Natalia Inozemtseva introduced the book followed by a brief comment by Honorary representative, Telo Tulku Rinpoche. The chief editor of the book, Mr. Bembya Metruiev (Acharya) shared his experience working on the book. The online book release was followed by a Q & A session with Telo Tulku Rinpoche which covered a range of topics from his personal experience of interacting with H.H. as well as serving in the capacity as representative for the last 6 years and recently being reappointed by the CTA and H.H. the Dalai Lama.
In Mongolia, the documentary film “Sunrise/Sunset” directed by Russian Director Vitaly Manski which presents the daily life of H.H. the Dalai Lama from Sunrise to Sunset was broadcasted on Mongolian Cable TV “Eagle”
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation across Russia, Mongolia and CIS countries, the year of gratitude towards H.H. the Dalai Lama was held successfully and lawfully with many personal greetings towards H.H. the Great 14th Dalai Lama from individuals to Government officials.
-Filed by OOT, Russia