A presentation of a book about Geshe Tenzin Dugda will be held at the Central Khurul.

On March 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., on the 3rd floor of the Central Khurul of Kalmykia “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni,” the opening of a photo exhibition and the presentation of a book about the venerable Teacher Geshe Lharampa Tenzin Dugda, who made an enormous contribution to the revival and development of Buddhism in Kalmykia, will be held. Geshe Dugda was born in 1938 in Central Tibet in the locality of Tumo. At the age of 20 he, following His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, left occupied Tibet. Together with other monks he built the Buddhist monastery of Drepung Gomang on the soil of India, studied at this monastery, and defended the academic degree of Geshe Lharampa. Geshe Dugda was one of the oldest monks of Drepung Gomang and the first doctor of Buddhist philosophy on Kalmyk soil, where, at the behest of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he arrived in 1995. From the very first year of his stay in Kalmykia, the precious teacher Geshe Tenzin Dugda tirelessly transmitted knowledge to Buddhists: monks and laypeople. Not reckoning with his own fatigue and age, he shared with them his invaluable experience. Geshe Dugda made an enormous contribution to the establishment and development of the Kalmyk khuruls. Throughout his entire stay in Kalmykia, Geshe Tenzin Dugda bestowed teachings, retreats, empowerments and blessings of deities. Over these years he acquired an enormous number of disciples both among the monks and among the lay Buddhists not only of Kalmykia, but also of other regions of Russia. He transmitted to his disciples the most important teachings that he had received from his spiritual mentors, from the great practitioners of sutra and tantra. Thanks to his instructions many practitioners were able to hear the Teaching of the Buddha in all its fullness, to enter the gates of the Dharma and to become true Buddhists. To all who came to him in moments of sorrow and loss, he gave consolation, help, true love and compassion. On March 13, 2012, Geshe Tenzin Dugda passed away. For 7 days Geshe-la remained in the state of the posthumous meditation of tukdam. The photo exhibition will tell visitors about the most interesting captured moments of the life and activity of the venerable Teacher. At the book presentation there will be speeches containing stories about the creation of the book, beginning from the gathering of material, as well as the recollections of the monks and much more. The edition is illustrated and addressed to a wide circle of readers, to everyone interested in the history of Buddhism in Kalmykia. Compilers and members of the editorial board: Nadezhda Bakaraeva, Kermen Menkenova, Gerel Nurova, Valentina Sangadzhieva, Nadezhda Sandzhieva, Saglar Saranova, Kermen Tsebekova. Editor Arslang Sandzhiev. An electronic version of the book will also be available.