SOFIA—Telo Tulku Rinpoche, the honorary representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Russia, Mongolia, and the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, gave a public talk in Moscow on Sunday. The event was organized by the Buddhists Youth Association in Moscow with the support of the “Save Tibet” Foundation, which promotes the preservation of cultural and philosophical traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

As the head lama of the Kalmyk people, Telo Tulku Rinpoche is chairman of several important institutions: the Association of Buddhists of Kalmykia, the Buddhist Center Tilopa in Mongolia, and the Society “Safe Tibet” in Riga, and the spiritual leader of “Safe Tibet” Foundation in Moscow. In addition, the Russian and Mongolian websites of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are operated under his guidance.

The program in Moscow was organized to mark the 28th anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989—an occasion celebrated by Tibetan Buddhist communities around the world, including Russia—and the coming of the Kalmyk New Year.

During his talk, titled “Refuge for the New Millennium,” given in a crowded hall in Moscow Technological College, Telo Tulku Rinpoche expressed joy at celebrating the 28th anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize and reminded everyone present of the Dalai Lama’s tireless efforts to promote universal values and interfaith harmony.

Rabten Tulku Tenzin Tegchogom Rinpoche from Drepung Gomang Monastery was also present for the occasion. The Tibetan lama, who works at the publishing office of the Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, was in Moscow to give a series of teachings, organized by the Russian Drepung Gomang Center. ​

Telo Tulku Rinpoche and Rabten Tulku Rinpoche recited prayers together, which were followed by a presentation of the audio book Dalai Lama, My Son, written by the Dalai Lama’s mother Diki Tsering. The print varsion is published by Ocean of Wisdom—a publishing house in Elista, the capital of Kalmykia, and the audio book was recorded by the famous Russian theater and film director, actress, and teacher, Galina Volchek. The event also included a viewing of the short movie The Dalai Lama in Riga, which was filmed during his visit to the capital of Latvia in September.

On Tuesday, Telo Tulku Rinpoche lead the grant prayer ceremony “Thousands of Offerings to Lama Tsongkhapa” at the main temple of Kalmykia, the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, in honor of the Zul celebrations. Zul (Kalmyk for “candle”) is a national holiday (equivalent to New Year’s Day), which commemorates the parinirvana of the founder of the Gelug school, Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419). The Kalmyk people celebrate Zul by reciting prayers, including those dedicated to Tsongkhapa, at monasteries throughout Kalmykia, and by offering candles to the great Buddhist teacher.

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Сохраним Тибет (Save Tibet Russia)
Центральном хуруле Калмыкии (Central Khurul of Kalmykia)

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