Buddhists of Russia plan to build a stupa in Lumbini, at the birthplace of Buddha Shakyamuni.

This matter became the topic of a working meeting of the senior administrator of the Central Khurul of Kalmykia, a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation Yonten-Gelung (Sergey Kirishov) with a board member of the Lumbini Development Trust under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, Mr. Rajesh Shakya, and member-secretary Sanuraja Shakya. During the conversation, permission was obtained to implement this important project, and several plots were identified where the Buddhist stupa will be located in the future.

As Yonten-Gelung noted to us in a telephone conversation, sketch designs will now be prepared, after which it will be necessary to obtain the approval of the chief architect of Lumbini. On this matter Yonten-Gelung also met with the Abbot of the main temple of Lumbini, who gave his consent and blessing for the construction.

It should be said that the sponsor of this project is our countryman Oleg Sergeevich Bartunov.
At the birthplace of the Buddha it is planned to erect a Lotus Stupa, which was first erected in Lumbini during the Buddha's lifetime and symbolizes his birth. As Yonten-Gelung noted, this project is an offering to the Buddha from our entire people. This Buddhist structure will strengthen even further the spiritual connection of our people with the Buddha.

As a member of the commission of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation for the harmonization of interethnic and interreligious relations, Yonten-Gelung during these days also took part in the parliamentary elections and the elections to the local legislative assemblies of Nepal as an international observer. On the whole, the work required of them has been carried out, and all the planned tasks have been accomplished.
Yonten-Gelung's working trip does not end here; we will report on everything in our news.