Kalmykia Marked the Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing into Mahaparinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni

Solemnly, to the sounds of a wind instrument  (the Dungkar conch), the sacred relics were brought out — the Sharira of Buddha Shakyamuni and a sprout of the sacred tree Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. It was with this that today's celebration on the occasion of the Birth, Enlightenment, and passing into Mahaparinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni began.

An enormous number of the faithful arrived today at the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia to offer their prayers to the Great Teacher. Together with the monks of the Central Khurul, they thanked the Buddha for the opportunity to comprehend the Dharma, for his boundless love and help, and, of course, prayed for the well-being of all sentient beings.

In his address today, the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia Geshe Tenzin Choydak once again reminded everyone how important it is on such a day to perform virtuous deeds, observe moral laws, and follow the Teaching of the Buddha. “Begin from this day, begin with something small — show care for your neighbor. And this will certainly bring its results,” noted the Head of the Kalmyk Buddhists, Geshe Tenzin Choydak