Guests from 11 countries confirmed their participation in the II International Buddhist Forum in Buryatia

By now, the II International Buddhist Forum 'Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges' received confirmation from the representatives of 11 countries: India, China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Mongolia, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The event will take place on August 12-14 in Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia.

‘The republic once again proves that Buryatia is the gateway to Asia. We are hosting the Asian Legal Forum, a conference dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the Khalkhin Gol Battle. The upcoming Buddhist Forum is one of the key events that will unite the entire Buddhist world in Russia and serve to strengthen international contacts. This is a unique platform where the issues of Buddhism are discussed together by politicians, scientists and religious figures', Alexey Tsydenov, the Head of Buryatia, said.

In particular, the forum will be attended by foreign ambassadors, rectors of Buddhist universities, representatives of public and scientific organizations, as well as Buddhist clergy. The forum is aimed at developing scientific, educational and cultural cooperation between Buddhist organizations from different countries.

On the first day of the forum, on August 12, the Institute of Mongolian Studies, Buddhology and Tibetology, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, will host the international conference 'Buddhism in a Changing World'. It will be devoted to Buddhist studies in Russia and the world, the history and philosophy of Buddhism, Buddhist culture and education, as well as the interaction of science and Buddhism.

On the same day, the exhibition 'Masterpieces of Buddhist Buryat art from the State Hermitage Museum' will open at the National Museum of the Republic of Buryatia. In the evening, the guests of the forum will attend a captivating concert from Buryat masters of art.

The opening of the II International Forum 'Traditional Buddhism and the Challenges of Modernity' will take place on Tuesday, August 13, at the Sports Complex of the Republic of Buryatia. The discussion panels will consider issues related to Buddhist education, the Buddhist concept of consciousness and its significance in modern practices, traditional Oriental medicine, Buddhism and ecology, traditional values, international pilgrimage and tourism, as well as the 260th anniversary of the Pandito Khambo Lama Institution establishment in Russia.

On August 14, the forum will continue on the territory of Ivolginsky datsan ('Khambyn Khure')- the center of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia. The guests of the forum will be able to take part in a 'Burkhan Bagshyn magtaal' Hural (prayer service), as well as to worship the imperishable body of the XII Pandito Khambo Lama Dashi Dorji Ethigelov, to whose phenomenon a conference will be dedicated on the same day. At the suggestion of the Sangha of Russia, the messages of Pandito Khambo Lama Dasha Dorji Etigelov will be discussed here. In addition, in 2024, the Pandito Khambo Lama Institution turns 260 years old - and a separate panel will be dedicated to this event.

Anticipating the beginning of the II International Buddhist Forum, Ivolginsky Datsan will host the Teachings of the White Tara and the ritual of constructing a Mandala. You can register for the forum until August 5th at the official website: https://reg.buddha-forum.ru/, it will allow participants to see the themes of the forum, its educational and cultural parts. 16:36