Russians Rally Support to End Tibet Oppression through Fasting
Tuesday, 2 September 2008, 10:04 a.m.
The 12-hour symbolic fasting and prayer service for global peace,
happiness for all humanity, relieve Tibetans suffering torture and
oppression under the Chinese government, was observed across many
regions in Russia.
Moscow: The synchronized
non-violent campaign initiated by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee
received an overwhelming support from Tibetans, Tibet Support Groups,
Buddhists Centers-based in Russia, organised across the world on
Saturday, 30 August.
During the 12-hour-long fasting and prayers, the Buddhists in
various regions of Russia, recited prayers for His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, Guru prayers, Dhen-pai Nga-dra, Dhen-stik Mon-lam (Prayer of
Truth), prayer of 21 Taras, six-syllable Mani mantra and invocation
prayers of deities Palden Lhamo and Nechung.
“This office (Office of Tibet) remains profoundly grateful to
all the Buddhists in Russia for offering special prayers for the long
life and quick recovery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” said Mr Tashi,
representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Moscow.
Mr Tashi said: “As per the instruction received from the
Tibetan Solidarity Committee and Kalon Tripa, the Office of Tibet,
Moscow, has approached the local Tibetans, Tibet support Groups and the
Buddhist Centers in Russia to partake in the non-violent action.”
Moscow: The local Buddhists including a very few local Tibetans
in Moscow have gathered at the prayer hall of Lama Tsongkhapa Buddhist
Center from 10:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs. A total number of around fifty
people have joined the fasting and prayers.
Taking a keen interest on the event, the local journalists from
Novaya Gazeta and Portal Credo spoke to Representative Tashi on the
objectives and importance of the fasting and prayers. They were also
interested on the present situation inside Tibet and the dialogue
process between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
representatives of the Chinese government. The local dailies on day
after published reports on the non-violent campaign.
As a mark of gratitude, the office of Tibet offered hot Tibetan
tea to all the participants after completing the prayers and fasting.
On that day, a group of five Tibetan monks from Drepung Gomang
monastery who were on religious visit to Russia, dedicated their
prayers and Mandala offerings for world peace and long life of His
Holiness, held at Roerich Museum in Moscow.
Kalmykia: Geden Shedrub Choekhorling Buddhist temple in Elista
in close cooperation with the local Tibetan Buddhist monks and TSG,
observed a 12-hour fasting and mass prayer for world peace from 9:00
hrs to 21:00 hrs (local time).
More than five hundred people participated in the event. Later,
the local people led by the Tibetan monks also organised a candle light
procession in the city of Elista.
The whole event received an extensive coverage in the local media, including Kalmyk State Television Company.
Buriatya: In Ulan Ude, around three hundred local Buddhist
followers of Reverend Tibetan Lama Yeshe Lodroe Rinpoche, gathered at
the Rinpoche’s Culture Center and sat for fasting and prayers for world
peace and happiness.
Lodroe Rinpoche offered prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by conducting Dolkar Yeshe Tsewang initiation.
Similarly, between one hundred fifty to two hundred people,
consisting of students and the Buddhist followers of Geshe Jampa
Thinley joined in the non-violent action at Green Tara Buddhist Center
in Ulan Ude.
Before sitting on fast, they held a brief religious procession
in the city center of Ulan Ude to draw the attention of the people for
world peace and to support the Tibetan cause. The local media gave
wide-coverage of the Tibetan people’s non-violent initiative for world
peace.
Tuva: In Tuva republic, abbot of Gaden Shartse, Geshe Lobsang
Thupten presided over the 12-hour prayer service and symbolic fasting,
attended by around sixty local Buddhists at the city center hall.
Aginskyi: Some thirty local Buddhists along with two Tibetans
observed the 12-hour-long worldwide prayer and symbolic fasting in
Aginskyi.
Apart from the above-mentioned places, the Buddhists in Serbian
cities of Novasibirskyi, Omsk, Ufa and Irkutsk also took part in the
worldwide prayers and fast for peace and non-violent fight against
oppression.
Geshe Jampa Thinley took the initiative in leading around
hundred sixty people in these region to commit them to this important
non-violent action.
More than seven hundred people have given positive response to
an appeal to join this non-violent campaign posted on the office of
Tibet’s official website, www.savetibet.ru.
–Report filed by Tibet Culture & Information Center, Moscow. Editing by Lobsang CHOEDAK
