The opening of the Second International Buddhist Forum took place on August 13 in Ulan-Ude. The ceremony began with a prayer service led by the lamas of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia.
The message from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, was read by Anatoly Vylegzhanin, Deputy Head of the Department for Domestic Policy at the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.
In his message, the Head of State noted that "Buddhists in Russia carefully preserve the unique historical and spiritual heritage of their ancestors, instilling in the younger generation respect for the distinct culture and customs of their forebears. The significant contributions of Buddhist organizations to maintaining peace, harmony, and mutual understanding within society, as well as to the development of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, are particularly commendable. This valuable experience may also benefit other countries."
The Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, welcomed the participants of the event. He highlighted that the 2024 forum is being held in a year of an important anniversary. Two hundred and sixty years ago, Empress Catherine II issued a decree establishing the institution of the Pandito Khambo Lama - the leaders of Russian Buddhists, marking the official recognition of Buddhism in the Russian Empire.
The greeting from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, was read by Alexey Maslov, President of the Buddhist Education and Research Foundation. In his message, the minister emphasized that such meetings provide an additional impetus for the development of intercultural and interfaith dialogue, fostering an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding among peoples, and uniting efforts to address common pressing issues.
The Republic of Kalmykia was represented at the opening by its Head, Batu Khasikov.
Dymbril Dashibaldanov (Dymbril-bagsha), Rector of the Buddhist University “Dashi Choynhorlin” named after D.-D. Zayaev, greeted the guests:
“We are pleased to welcome back those who attended the forum last year, as well as new guests. We have gathered to discuss the challenging issues and the challenges that come to us, and how we can address them. Among the participants, I see people of various nationalities and different faiths, and it is gratifying that we can all work, communicate, and learn together on this platform. I believe that Buddhism, first and foremost, is a teaching. It does not contradict the changes occurring in the modern world, nor does it conflict with science. Therefore, scholars, monks, and ordinary people can come together to discuss emerging issues,” said Dymbril Dashibaldanov.
Greetings were also extended by His Excellency Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation; Pakir Mohideen Amza, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation; Say Amnan, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Cults and Religion of Cambodia; Hu Xuefen, Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, Chairman of the Beijing Buddhist Association, and Abbot of the Yonghegong Temple in Beijing, China; Sharze Hensur Rinpoche Zhangchup Choedon, Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation (India); Her Excellency Mrs. Inlavan Keobounphan, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Vice President of the Laos National Development Front; and Vu Thien Thang, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The Second International Buddhist Forum "Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges" is being held in Buryatia from August 12-14, 2024, initiated by the Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, with the support of President Vladimir Putin.
The forum has become a new platform for international dialogue and comprehensive discussion on the development of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, philosophy, and practice, fostering scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation among Buddhist organizations from different countries. Participants in the forum include representatives from 15 countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
The forum is organized by the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia.
The message from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, was read by Anatoly Vylegzhanin, Deputy Head of the Department for Domestic Policy at the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.
In his message, the Head of State noted that "Buddhists in Russia carefully preserve the unique historical and spiritual heritage of their ancestors, instilling in the younger generation respect for the distinct culture and customs of their forebears. The significant contributions of Buddhist organizations to maintaining peace, harmony, and mutual understanding within society, as well as to the development of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, are particularly commendable. This valuable experience may also benefit other countries."
The Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, welcomed the participants of the event. He highlighted that the 2024 forum is being held in a year of an important anniversary. Two hundred and sixty years ago, Empress Catherine II issued a decree establishing the institution of the Pandito Khambo Lama - the leaders of Russian Buddhists, marking the official recognition of Buddhism in the Russian Empire.
The greeting from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, was read by Alexey Maslov, President of the Buddhist Education and Research Foundation. In his message, the minister emphasized that such meetings provide an additional impetus for the development of intercultural and interfaith dialogue, fostering an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding among peoples, and uniting efforts to address common pressing issues.
The Republic of Kalmykia was represented at the opening by its Head, Batu Khasikov.
Dymbril Dashibaldanov (Dymbril-bagsha), Rector of the Buddhist University “Dashi Choynhorlin” named after D.-D. Zayaev, greeted the guests:
“We are pleased to welcome back those who attended the forum last year, as well as new guests. We have gathered to discuss the challenging issues and the challenges that come to us, and how we can address them. Among the participants, I see people of various nationalities and different faiths, and it is gratifying that we can all work, communicate, and learn together on this platform. I believe that Buddhism, first and foremost, is a teaching. It does not contradict the changes occurring in the modern world, nor does it conflict with science. Therefore, scholars, monks, and ordinary people can come together to discuss emerging issues,” said Dymbril Dashibaldanov.
Greetings were also extended by His Excellency Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation; Pakir Mohideen Amza, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation; Say Amnan, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Cults and Religion of Cambodia; Hu Xuefen, Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, Chairman of the Beijing Buddhist Association, and Abbot of the Yonghegong Temple in Beijing, China; Sharze Hensur Rinpoche Zhangchup Choedon, Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation (India); Her Excellency Mrs. Inlavan Keobounphan, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Vice President of the Laos National Development Front; and Vu Thien Thang, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The Second International Buddhist Forum "Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges" is being held in Buryatia from August 12-14, 2024, initiated by the Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, with the support of President Vladimir Putin.
The forum has become a new platform for international dialogue and comprehensive discussion on the development of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, philosophy, and practice, fostering scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation among Buddhist organizations from different countries. Participants in the forum include representatives from 15 countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
The forum is organized by the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia.
