On April 25, a prayer service in honor of the birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama was held at the Central Khurul of Kalmykia

The event was attended by the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche, clergy of the republic, and representatives of the Society of Friends of Tibet.

The event was opened by the Chairperson of the Society of Friends of Tibet Antonina Kookueva. She reminded all those present of the events of 26 years ago, when 6-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, after being confirmed by the Dalai Lama in the status of the Panchen Lama, disappeared without a trace together with his family. “Today we have gathered to mark this date, to offer up prayers for the health and well-being of the Panchen Lama,” Antonina Kookueva stated.

Before the start of the prayer service, the Head of the Buddhists of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche addressed those present. According to the Shajin Lama, the Kalmyk people are closely connected with the institution of the Panchen Lamas. To this day, relics connected with one of the highest hierarchs of Tibetan Buddhism have been preserved in Kalmykia. In the village of Adyk in the Chernozemelsky district, a silk cloth is kept with the text of a blessing from the 9th Panchen Lama, certified by his seal and signature. A number of documents connected with the Panchen Lama are also kept in the Kalmyk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

“Unfortunately, today we do not know the situation with the Panchen Lama, we do not know how he is, where he is, and what his life is like. Let us, with great hope, pray for his well-being, health, long life, and a swift meeting with him,” the Rinpoche called upon everyone.

On this day, similar events were held in Buryatia, Novosibirsk, Tyva, Saint Petersburg, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.