Program of the Celebration of the First Turning of the Wheel of Teaching

On August 1, on the 4th lunar day of the month of the Rooster, the Buddhists of Kalmykia will celebrate the festival of the First Turning of the Wheel of Teaching — “Nomin Kürdin Düütsng.” According to tradition, the festive events will begin at the main Buddhist temple of the republic from early morning. At 4:30, Geshe Lharampa Tenzin Thinley will bestow the one-day Mahayana vows. At 8:00, the ritual “Määdrin ergts” will be held at the Central Khurul, during which the monks and laypeople will circumambulate the khurul with the statue of Buddha Maitreya and the sacred texts of the Kangyur. At 9:00, a festive prayer service will take place. At 17:00, in the conference hall, Geshe Lharampa Tenzin Thinley will give a lecture on the theme “The Four Noble Truths.” Those present will be able to ask any questions of interest, to which they will certainly receive answers. The Central Khurul of Kalmykia invites believers to take part in such a momentous event. It is worth especially noting that it was on this day that Buddha Shakyamuni performed his most important deed. And all our merits accumulated on this day are multiplied 100,000 times.