Relics of Buddha Shakyamuni to Be Brought from India to Kalmykia for the International Buddhist Forum

Sacred relics — the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni — will be brought to Kalmykia for the International Buddhist Forum. This was announced by the head of the region, Batu Khasikov, during a meeting with the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia, Geshe Tenzin Choydak, in the course of a visit by the Minister for Education and Universal Welfare at the Embassy of India in Moscow, Mr. Vinay Kumar. The guest had arrived in the steppe region the day before and first of all visited “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni.” In addition, the Indian side intends to present the Kalmyk people with a majestic statue of the Buddha. As Batu Sergeevich noted, it is important now to discuss all these matters with the Shajin Lama, so that everything is done according to the canons and correctly.

Addressing the guest, Geshe Tenzin Choydak thanked him for such an opportunity for the Kalmyk people to behold the sacred relic with their own eyes and to bow before the relics of the Great Teacher. During the conversation, the Shajin Lama spoke of the important role that India plays in his life; for 16 years he studied in the south of that country, at the ancient monastic university of Drepung Gomang. “Besides all the knowledge that I strove for, that I learned, and that I apply in life, as well as share with my fellow countrymen, I gained a great deal that is useful simply by communicating with the people of India, I gained it from Indian culture,” the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia recounted, recalling his life at the monastery.

During the meeting, Mr. Vinay Kumar emphasized that it is precisely Buddhism that will become the starting point in further relations with the Kalmyk republic. He also said that the aim of his visit would be to strengthen cooperation in economic and technological aspects.