Geshe Yonten Appointed Chairman of the Central Buddhist Religious Administration
The former Head of the Administration of the Central Khurul of Kalmykia “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni,” a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, Geshe Yonten, has been appointed Chairman of the Central Buddhist Religious Administration.
Commenting on this responsible appointment, Geshe Yonten said: “Today our country pays great attention to the development of civil society and to harmonizing interethnic and interreligious relations. Great attention is also paid to Buddhism. In 2022, on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, the ‘Foundation for the Support of Buddhist Education and Research’ was established; last year the Republic of Buryatia hosted the International Buddhist Forum; and in 2025 Kalmykia will host the Buddhist Summit. As Chairman of the Central Buddhist Religious Administration, I am ready to do everything in my power to strengthen traditional Buddhist values, spread the Teaching of the Buddha, and develop ties between Russian Buddhists and fellow believers from other countries.”
Geshe Yonten received his monastic education in India, at the largest Buddhist monastery, Drepung Gomang. In 2018 he was appointed Administrator of the Central Khurul of the Republic of Kalmykia “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni,” and in 2019 he took charge of the Administration. In October 2023, at Drepung Gomang Monastery in India, he received the honorary title of Geshe.
The decision to appoint Geshe Yonten to the high and responsible post of Chairman of the Central Buddhist Religious Administration was made by the council of the Centralized Religious Organization Central Buddhist Religious Administration. The organization itself was established 19 years ago in order to unite the Buddhist organizations of the Russian Federation, as well as for the joint practice and dissemination of the Teaching. At present, the Central Buddhist Religious Administration unites many Buddhist organizations across the country.
