Tomorrow, December 27, Marks the 15th Anniversary of the Construction of the Central Khurul “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni”

In December 2004, during a visit to Kalmykia, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama consecrated the site for the construction of a new Buddhist temple in Elista. In March 2005, the design of the Khurul was presented to His Holiness, which he approved, offering his own suggestions, and in December of that year, amid a huge gathering of people, the opening of the temple took place. Then, for several more years, work was carried out on the interior design and the arrangement of the temple grounds. “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” is the main Buddhist temple in Kalmykia, known in Russia and the world, and is a religious, spiritual, educational, and cultural Buddhist center. This is how His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama wished to see it; he believes that in the modern world Buddhism is not only a religion, but also a philosophy, a science, a multidimensional cultural complex. His Holiness's wish is being fulfilled: educational and enlightenment projects are priority directions in the temple's activities. At the Central Khurul, teachings, seminars, and lectures for all who wish are held regularly. The Shajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche and invited high Teachers grant instructions on the Dharma and commentaries on canonical texts. For young people - high school students, students of higher and secondary educational institutions - lectures are given here and conversations are held on the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy, on themes of morality. Assistance is provided to school teachers who teach the course “Fundamentals of Religious Culture and Secular Ethics.” The khurul organizes group trips to the teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in India and in the countries of Europe, and for those who were unable to attend them - a live video broadcast. Through the mediation of the khurul, the Buddhists of Kalmykia make pilgrimages to India, visiting the holy places connected with the life and Enlightenment of the Buddha. In the temple there is a public Buddhist library, access to which is available not only to monks but also to lay people. The extensive collection of literature includes the rarest editions, classical works, and new books, which allows readers to gain the most varied and profound knowledge about Buddhism. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave the khurul the collection of canonical texts “Kangyur” and “Tengyur.” The doors of the temple The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni are open to all, and everyone who enters can partake of Buddhist practice, find spiritual harmony and support. Prayer services for the well-being and prosperity of all living beings are held here daily, and on Fridays - memorial prayer services. On special mätsg days, services dedicated to Green Tara, the Medicine Buddha, and the Protectors of the Dharma are held. The monks of the khurul perform rituals of purifying the locality, removing obstacles, prolonging life, and others, and conduct individual receptions of lay people who turn to them for blessing, advice, and help in various life situations. At the center of Tibetan medicine, professional emchi help people rid themselves of illnesses and ailments. In the temple, mandalas are built, exhibitions of sacred relics are arranged, which thousands of residents of Kalmykia and pilgrims from all corners of the world come to behold. Invited high teachers grant the Teaching, the blessings of Buddhist deities, and perform important rituals and ceremonies. The Central Khurul is the venue for the main celebrations dedicated to Buddhist holidays, such as the Birthday, Enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni, the Birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the First Turning of the Wheel of the Teaching, the Descent of Buddha Shakyamuni from the heaven of the Thirty-three Deities, and many others. Every year, great tantric rituals are performed here, filled with profound meaning and having an ancient tradition. These are Torgyak - a ritual of removing obstacles, Yangdub - a ritual of summoning good fortune and well-being, Tangrak Kangso - a ritual of summoning the Protectors. In its activities, the Central Khurul revives and develops the classical Buddhist traditions, does its utmost to promote the revival and development of the cultural traditions of the Kalmyk people, the preservation of the language and national customs. On the days of the folk holidays Zul, Tsagan Sar, Urs Sar, as well as on the Day of National Writing “todo bichig,” great prayer services are held at the khurul, along with important events for the preservation of the national traditions of the Kalmyk people. The Central Khurul is the initiator and organizer of competitions on knowledge of the native language, history, and customs of the Kalmyk people among preschoolers and schoolchildren of the republic. In the khurul's publishing activities, great attention is paid to the preparation and publication of Buddhist works in translation into the Kalmyk language. In the temple, regular free courses on studying the Kalmyk language are held for all who wish. “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” is a modern Buddhist center whose activities are built on openness and dialogue: with other religions, science, and different cultural traditions. Within the walls of the republic's main Buddhist temple, representatives of different faiths meet. Interreligious councils are held here with the participation of the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia, the heads of the Elista and Kalmykia diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Kalmykia. Their joint efforts are aimed at consolidating society, developing tolerance, harmonizing interethnic relations, and strengthening moral values. At the Central Khurul, conferences and forums are held dedicated to the questions of the interaction of Buddhism with modern science and culture. Well-known philosophers, Buddhologists, historians, and monks discussed these pressing problems at the All-Russian scientific-practical conference with elements of a scientific school for youth “Philosophy in the Dialogue of Cultures” (2009), the international forum “Buddhism: the Philosophy of Nonviolence and Compassion” (2011), the international conference “Tibet Through the Eyes of Russian Travelers” (2014), the International Buddhist conference “Buddhism in the Dialogue of Cultures” (2015), and others. The Shajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche and the staff of the khurul regularly take part in Russian and international Buddhist forums and scientific symposia. The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni is a temple in which the most interesting art and photo exhibitions are arranged, and documentary and feature films are screened. The expression of ideas of peace, harmony, and morality through different types of art finds response and support here. In the exhibition hall and the museum of the history of Buddhism of the khurul, exhibitions of Kalmyk, Russian, and foreign artists and photography masters are regularly organized. In the temple “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” there is a museum of the history of Buddhism. Its permanent exposition acquaints visitors with the history of the spread of the world religion in Kalmykia. Here one can see the most valuable examples of Buddhist art from different countries - Tibet, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal. The rich collection of Tsam masks, donated to the museum by the monks of the Gyumed monastery, invariably arouses the interest of visitors. The construction of the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni is the result of the intense, enthusiasm-filled labor of architects, engineers, builders, talented Kalmyk and Tibetan artists and sculptors and, of course, the monks, who recited thousands of mantras and placed sacred texts into stupas, prayer wheels, and statues. Many residents of the republic donated funds for the construction of the temple. On 27.12.20, the 15th anniversary of the Central Khurul of Kalmykia “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” is celebrated. From the bottom of our hearts we congratulate the monks and staff of the Central Khurul on the anniversary date, we wish health, good fortune, long years of life, and the fulfillment of all planned undertakings! Tomorrow at 09.00, a live broadcast of the events dedicated to the anniversary will take place on the channel of the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni on YouTube