On August 12, as part of the II International Buddhist Forum "Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges," a meeting was held between the Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, and the Plenipotentiary Minister in the rank of Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Pakir Mohideen Amza. The meeting focused on issues of bilateral cooperation in the areas of religion, tourism, education, and medicine.
"We have close ties with Sri Lanka. Following last year's Buddhist Forum, we began exploring cooperation in education and traditional medicine. I am confident that the II Buddhist Forum and your personal visit will further strengthen our relationship," noted Alexey Tsydenov.
The Head of Buryatia emphasized that traditional medicine is one of the key areas of cooperation. Ayurveda, which is highly developed in Sri Lanka, shares many practices with Eastern medicine. Cooperation in this field began after the I International Buddhist Forum. The Minister in the rank of Ambassador of the Republic of Sri Lanka to Russia extended an invitation for a delegation of doctors from Buryatia to visit the island for deeper collaboration in this area. The Minister also highlighted that Sri Lanka and Buryatia share a "Buddhist heritage."
"I would like to thank you, on behalf of the entire delegation, for the invitation to the forum, for the warm hospitality you have shown us, and for the opportunities you have provided at this event. I would also like to congratulate you on the successful organization of the first forum. I am confident that the second forum will be equally successful. We are united by our Buddhist heritage," said Pakir Mohideen Amza.
In this context, both sides see the development of bilateral relations in cultural tourism. Sri Lanka also has Buddhist sites of interest. Notably, the Buddha's tooth is preserved in the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Sri Lanka, which could attract tourists from Buryatia. According to the Minister in the rank of Ambassador, tourists from Sri Lanka, in turn, would be delighted to visit Buryatia.
"We fondly remember the support in the area of religion that the Russian Federation provided in 1999. Sri Lanka and Thailand jointly decided to establish the globally recognized Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. At that time, Russia supported Sri Lanka's initiative at the UN. This was very valuable to us. We still remember it. As you can see, cooperation at the governmental level between our countries in the area of religion has continued for a long time," emphasized Pakir Mohideen Amza.
Additionally, the Head of Buryatia proposed exploring opportunities for student exchanges in various specialties, holding a meeting with the rectors of the republic's universities, as well as the Buddhist University "Dashi Choinkhorlin," located in the Ivolginsky Datsan.
It is worth noting that the II International Buddhist Forum "Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges" is taking place in Buryatia from August 12 to 14, 2024, on the initiative of the Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, with the support of President Vladimir Putin. The forum will serve as a new platform for international dialogue and comprehensive discussion of issues related to the development of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, philosophy, and practice, as well as promote the development of scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between Buddhist organizations from various countries. The forum will be attended by representatives from 15 countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
The organizers of the forum are the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, the Government of the Republic of Buryatia, the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research, with the support of the Roscongress Foundation.
"We have close ties with Sri Lanka. Following last year's Buddhist Forum, we began exploring cooperation in education and traditional medicine. I am confident that the II Buddhist Forum and your personal visit will further strengthen our relationship," noted Alexey Tsydenov.
The Head of Buryatia emphasized that traditional medicine is one of the key areas of cooperation. Ayurveda, which is highly developed in Sri Lanka, shares many practices with Eastern medicine. Cooperation in this field began after the I International Buddhist Forum. The Minister in the rank of Ambassador of the Republic of Sri Lanka to Russia extended an invitation for a delegation of doctors from Buryatia to visit the island for deeper collaboration in this area. The Minister also highlighted that Sri Lanka and Buryatia share a "Buddhist heritage."
"I would like to thank you, on behalf of the entire delegation, for the invitation to the forum, for the warm hospitality you have shown us, and for the opportunities you have provided at this event. I would also like to congratulate you on the successful organization of the first forum. I am confident that the second forum will be equally successful. We are united by our Buddhist heritage," said Pakir Mohideen Amza.
In this context, both sides see the development of bilateral relations in cultural tourism. Sri Lanka also has Buddhist sites of interest. Notably, the Buddha's tooth is preserved in the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Sri Lanka, which could attract tourists from Buryatia. According to the Minister in the rank of Ambassador, tourists from Sri Lanka, in turn, would be delighted to visit Buryatia.
"We fondly remember the support in the area of religion that the Russian Federation provided in 1999. Sri Lanka and Thailand jointly decided to establish the globally recognized Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. At that time, Russia supported Sri Lanka's initiative at the UN. This was very valuable to us. We still remember it. As you can see, cooperation at the governmental level between our countries in the area of religion has continued for a long time," emphasized Pakir Mohideen Amza.
Additionally, the Head of Buryatia proposed exploring opportunities for student exchanges in various specialties, holding a meeting with the rectors of the republic's universities, as well as the Buddhist University "Dashi Choinkhorlin," located in the Ivolginsky Datsan.
It is worth noting that the II International Buddhist Forum "Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges" is taking place in Buryatia from August 12 to 14, 2024, on the initiative of the Head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, with the support of President Vladimir Putin. The forum will serve as a new platform for international dialogue and comprehensive discussion of issues related to the development of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, philosophy, and practice, as well as promote the development of scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between Buddhist organizations from various countries. The forum will be attended by representatives from 15 countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, China, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
The organizers of the forum are the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, the Government of the Republic of Buryatia, the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research, with the support of the Roscongress Foundation.
