Tủ Sách Bảo Anh Lạc 112

Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century The Door of Spirituality

Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong

HƯƠNG SEN Publishing

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HUONG SEN BUDDHIST TEMPLE

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Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century–The Door of Spirituality

by Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Giới Hương

First Edition

Unless otherwise noted, all photos belong to the author.

Book design by Trong Vu

***

CONTENTS

PREFACE 9

Chapter 1: COUNTRY, CULTURE,

AND RELIGION OF RUSSIA 16

Russian Federation 16
History of Russia from the Ninth

to Twenty-First Century 22

Ancient Culture of Russia 25

Chapter 2: HISTORY OF BUDDHISM

IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 56

The Origin of Buddhism in Russia

in the First-Eighth Centuries 57

The Appearance of Buddhism in Russia

in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries 60

Buddhism in Russia after the

October Revolution of 1917 64

The State of Buddhism after the Patriotic War 66
The Revival of Russian Buddhism

in the Late Twentieth Century 70

Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century 78

Chapter 3: BUDDHISM IN MOSCOW 89

Moscow, the Capital of Russia 90
Buddhism in Moscow 95
Buddhist Temples in Moscow 96

Photos of Tubden Shedubling 101

Photos of Activities in 2025 125

Chapter 4: BUDDHISM IN ST. PETERSBURG 175

Historic Center of Petersburg 176
Unesco World Heritage Registration

of St. Petersburg (1990) 176

Buddhism in Petersburg

and the Gunzechoinei Datsan 182

Other Buddhist Centers 194

Chapter 5: BUDDHISM IN THE REPUBLIC

OF BURYATIA 199

History of Buryatia 200
Present-Day Buryatia 202
History of Buddhism in Buryatia 204
Buddhism in Buryatia Today 206
Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University 207
Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, Head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of the Russian Federation 208
Relics of the Late Lama Pandito Hambo Itigelow 211
Buddhist Temples in Buryatia 214

Chapter 6: BUDDHISM IN THE TUVA REPUBLIC 248

History of the Republic of Tuva 249
Today’s Tuva Republic 250
History of Tuva Buddhism 254
Buddhism in Tuva Today 256
His Holiness Natsyk Dorju,

the Supreme Lama of Tuva Buddhism 258

Buddhist Conferences and Universities in Tuva 261
Tuva Buddhist Temples 264

Chapter 7: BUDDHISM IN THE REPUBLIC

OF KALMYKIA 279

History of the Republic of Kalmykia 280
The Republic of Kalmykia Today 282
History of Buddhism in Kalmykia 285
Buddhism in Kalmykia Today 287
Geshe Tezin Choidak, the Supreme Lama

of the Republic of Kalmykia 289

Conferences and Buddhist Schools in Kalmykia 290
Kalmykia Buddhist Temples 292

Chapter 8: CONCLUSION 305

Traditional Buddhist Regions

(Buryatia, Tuva, Kalmykia) 305

Large Urban Cities (Moscow and Petersburg) 306
Buddhist Centers and Datsans (Monasteries) 306
Buddhist Temples in the Russian Federation

as Cultural and Spiritual Heritage 307

Spiritual Benefits of Visiting a Temple to Practice 308
Cultural and Educational Benefits of Visiting a Temple 308
Benefits for International Tourists 309
APPENDIX 311

“The Buddhist World in the New Millennium” International Buddhist Forum in Elista, Kalmykia,

Russia 2025 311

Forum 314
Opening Remarks by Distinguished Guests 315
Program and Activities 316
Deep Spiritual and Cultural Activities 323
Conclusion 325
REFERENCES 327
BẢO ANH LẠC BOOKSHELF 341

***

PREFACE

uring my student days at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City (1990-

1994), I chose Russian literature as the topic for my thesis. From that moment on, I was extremely impressed with the world of art, along with the majestic, magnificent, and breathtakingly beautiful architectural works of Russia—the fairy-tale dome- shaped St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Hermitage Museum, the Summer Palace, the Winter Palace, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, or the ancient, majestic St. Isaac’s Cathedral, standing among the brilliant yellow of the birch forest by the gently flowing green river, an evocative and beautiful Russian- European, Russian-Asian land.

Russia is the largest country in the world (6,601,669 square miles) spanning both Asia and Europe.¹ It borders fourteen neighboring countries on land (Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). It also shares maritime borders with Japan (via the Sea of Okhotsk) and the United States (via the Bering Strait).²

Geographical location: Located in the north of the Eurasian continent, the east borders the North Pacific Ocean; the west borders Eastern and Northern Europe; the north borders the Arctic Ocean; the south borders the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Northeast
Seventeen neighboring countries: Russia has seventeen neighboring

Possessing a vast and rich territory, along with creative architectural talents, Russia has been recognized by UNESCO as having thirty-two World Heritage sites, including twenty- one cultural heritages and eleven natural heritages. Of these, half are unique architectural works such as the Kremlin, Red Square (Moscow), Lenin Mausoleum, Novodevichy Convent Complex, Peterhof Palace (St. Petersburg), Kazan Cathedral, and Catherine Palace.

In addition, Russia has historical archaeological cities and majestic, ancient Buddhist architectural works such as Gunzechoinei Datsan Temple (St. Petersburg), Ivolginsky Datsan (Buryatia), Atsagatsky Datsan (Buryatia), Tubten Shedrub Ling Datsan (Tuva), Ustuu-Khuree Datsan (Tuva), Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Datsan (Kalmykia), Sakusn Syume Datsan (Kalmykia), and others. This is truly a unique destination in the world that Buddhists dream of setting foot on once to experience, visit, and pay respects.

More than thirty years later, since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the fall of 2025, I had the opportunity to officially make two pilgrimages to the “land of birch trees” to personally explore the cultural relics with magnificent structures and unique Buddhist architectural works of Russia. The first trip lasted fifteen days (August 10 to 24, 2025) for visiting Buddhist temples in the capital, Moscow, and the ancient capital St. Petersburg—two important cultural and historical centers of the world with many UNESCO Heritage sites.

The second trip lasted almost one month (September 12 to October 10, 2025) with visits to the three Buddhist Republics of Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia, as well as attending a three- day International Buddhist Forum (September 25 to 28, 2025)

countries, including fourteen that share land borders and three that border the sea. Its land neighbors are Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland (via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and North Korea. The remaining three countries that border the sea are Japan and the United States.

in Elista, Kalmykia.

In just six weeks, we visited many temples in the Republics of Buryatia, Tuva, Kalmykia, the capital Moscow and the city of St. Petersburg, with the aim of completing the book Phật Giáo Nga Thế Kỷ Xxi- Cánh Cửa Tâm Linh, which will be translated into English and Russian:

Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century–The Door

of Spirituality,

Русский буддизм в XXI веке-дверь в духовность, and

Russkiy Buddizm V Xxi Veke-Dver’ V Dukhovnow.

This work aims to present images of contemporary Buddhist temples, together with the daily practices and activities of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners from diverse traditions throughout the Russian Federation—places we were fortunate to visit and where we were able to participate in monastic life.

Six weeks is not too long, not too short a period. Russia is a vast country with eighty-three federal subjects, (provinces/ cities),³ and there remain temples in other regions that we have not yet had the opportunity to visit. Nonetheless, with sincere enthusiasm and despite limited knowledge, the author humbly offers these observations on Buddhism in the Russian Federation. We warmly welcome guidance from venerable

monks, nuns, and scholars so that future editions may be more complete. We deeply appreciate all comments and contributions.

This book would not have been possible without the devoted support of the temple’s abbess, Venerable TN Tuệ Đàm Hương and the Buddhists of Thảo Đường Temple in Moscow. Ven.

According to the 1993 Constitution, Russia is a federal democratic rule of law state, consisting of eighty-three entities (republics, provinces, autonomous regions).

https://tulieuvankien.dangcongsan.vn/ho-so-su-kien-nhan-chung/cac-nuoc- vung-lanh-tho/chau-au/lien-bang-nga-russian-federation-147

Hương invited the author to teach Dharma at the pagoda, carefully arranged accommodation, and organized the Eight Precepts retreat and Dharma talks so that the author could have the opportunity to share the Dharma and guide the practice with fellow Vietnamese Buddhists residing there. Rev. Nhuan Phuong, the Buddhists Nhuan Thu, Nhuan Hanh, Thanh Loan... picked us up at the airport, acted as attendants, and took care of meals during our stay at the pagoda.

In particular, Mrs. Lan Huong took time out of her busy schedule to help the author visit the pagodas in Moscow, creating opportunities to make offerings, give English books compiled by Huong Sen Pagoda and interview the chief lamas and abbots to collect information about the activities of the pagodas. We also sincerely thank Mrs. Ninh Hải for rearranging her schedule of office work and family responsibilities to accompany the author from September 14 to September 23, 2025, to visit pagodas in Baikal, Ulan-Ude (Buryatia), Tuva, and helping to translate Russian into Vietnamese during the interviews with lamas.

The author is also deeply grateful to the Vice President of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha, Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich, for his invaluable foreword to this book and the connections he provided, which enabled the author to contact lamas in Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia. Thanks to his help, the author was able to attend the Forum in Elista, Kalmykia and to meet, pay homage, and make offerings to His Holiness Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev (President of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha) at the Ivolginsky Datsan (Buryatia), His Holiness Natsyk Dorju (Sergek Olegovich Saryglar) (Supreme Lama of the Tuva Republic), abbot of the Tubten Shedrub Ling Datsan (Tuva), and His Holiness Geshe Tezin Choidak (Supreme Lama of the Kalmyki Republic), abbot of the Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Datsan (Kalmykia).

Similarly, my second pilgrimage to Russia would not have been possible without the invaluable suggestion from His Excellency Did Khambo Lama to attend the Elista Forum and visit the three Buddhist republics and accordingly, this book would not have come into existence. He is truly a deeply devoted, exceptionally gifted international Buddhist diplomat who has supported countless temples, monks and nuns in numerous Dharma activities—including the author, an ordinary Buddhist nun.

We would also like to thank Ms. Pamela Kirby for editing my English translation; Ms. Lan Huong and Mrs. Ninh Hải for translating this work into Russian; Mr. Trong and Mr. Nhàn for supporting the editing of Vietnamese sentences, decoration, design, printing, and dissemination of this work. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the abbots of pagodas, monastery heads, leaders of educational institutions, professors, editors, writers, and journalists for providing valuable sources of information and images used in this book.

We also acknowledge various online resources, including artificial intelligence (which helps with information and corrects spelling mistakes), Google Translates English- Russian-Vietnamese tool, internet websites, Google, Wikipedia, Wikimedia, Fanpage, TikTok, YouTube, blogs, and others which have provided relevant images and useful, valuable online information for this book.

The list of benefactors, known and unknown, is long. We sincerely thank all the Venerable Zen monks, nuns, Buddhists, organizations, and associations who have supported and guided us in publishing this work. Your efforts and kindness have helped the book to exist and reach a wider audience.

This work aims to introduce that in addition to Orthodoxy, Buddhism has accompanied and closely associated with Russian culture and national identity. Foundations of ancient temple relics have been restored and built into solemn Buddhist centers, where international Buddhist conferences are held every year and where hundreds of monks from Russia and abroad are studying, not only in the three Buddhist Republics of Buryatia, Tuva, Kalmykia, but also in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

In the regions outside Baikal, Irkutska and elsewhere, Buddhism is flourishing, existing and developing to meet the religious, spiritual, and moral needs of the people of the Russian Federation. As President Vladimir Putin⁴ has stated: “Buddhism, its culture and traditions, have had a profound influence on the development of Russia... played a truly unique role in the formation of a unified, cohesive nation, and have become a lofty spiritual and moral compass for hundreds of thousands of people.”⁵

Russia, a Eurasian nation with a rich traditional culture and multifaceted religious heritage, is widely admired and respected throughout the world. Russian culture and religion, through centuries, still retains its unique features.

Hopefully this work, Russian Buddhism in the Twenty- First Century–The Door of Spirituality, will inspire the global community on the path of goodness, benefiting oneself and others, as the Buddha Shakyamuni and the lamas have taught us. I hope so!

Early spring 2026 at Bà-điểm Village, Vietnam

Respectfully,

Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Giới Hương

First page of Forum website: The third International Buddhist Forum in Elista, Kalmykia, https://buddha.forum/home#forum-hero
Vladimir Putin, “Greetings to Participants of the International Buddhist Forum,” TASS, August 21, 2023, https://tass.ru/obschestvo/18527231

From right: The Vice President of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha, Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich, Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Giới Hương, Bhikṣuṇī TN Hue Thuy and Buddhist Translator Lan Hương at the office of Did Khambo Lama, Moscow. October 6, 2026.

***

Chapter 1

COUNTRY, CULTURE, AND RELIGION OF RUSSIA

Russian Federation
History of Russia from the Ninth to Twenty-First Century
Ancient Culture of Russia
Religion and Beliefs of the Russian Federation

* * *

1. Russian Federation

ussia is in the north of the Eurasian continent. To the east, Russia borders the north Pacific Ocean, to the west

it borders eastern and northern Europe, to the north it borders the Arctic Ocean and to the south it borders the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Northeast Asia with mountains and natural resources.

Russian Federation Map⁶

The Russian Federation is a large nation, with a family of eighty-five subjects (republics, provinces, regions)⁷ and 185 ethnic groups⁸ (Russian East Slavs, Tatar, Sami, Bashkir,

“Russia location svg” by Milenioscuro, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Milenioscuro, Russia location map.svg, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Russia_ location_map.svg

The Russian Federation consists of eighty-five federal subjects (after the annexation of Crimea in 2014), including twenty-two republics, nine regions, forty-six provinces, three federal cities, one autonomous oblast (Jewish autonomous oblast region or area), and 4 autonomous okrugs (districts).

“Liên bang Nga (Russian Federation),” Tư liệu văn kiện Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam, Communist Party of Vietnam, January 19, 2022, https://tulieuvankien. dangcongsan.vn/ho-so-su-kien-nhan-chung/cac-nuoc-vung-lanh-tho/chau-au/ lien-bang-nga-russian-federation-147

Russia is a multi-ethnic country with 185 ethnic groups; the population of different ethnic groups is large, from millions (Russians, Tatars) to l:ess than 10,000 (Sami). The ethnic composition of Russia is diverse. Ethnic Russians account for 53 percent of the total population, Tatars 3.76 percent, Ukrainians

2.97 percent, Chuvash 1.21 percent, Bashkirs 0.92 percent, Belarusians 0.82 percent, Moldovans 0.73 percent, Chechens 0.61 percent, and Germans 0.57 percent. Of the eighty-five subjects that make up the Russian Federation, there are twenty-one ethnic minority regions, five autonomous regions and one autonomous region (mainly ethnic minorities). Nguyen Duc Kha, Experience of

Chuvash, Chechen...). According to the latest data from the United Nations,⁹ The current population of Russia (as of November 10, 2025) is 143,877,919 people, living on the total land area of Russia 6,323,142 square miles, the largest land area in the world.

Flag of the Russian Federation

The Russian coat of arms with image

of the double-headed eagle and St. George on the shield

the Russian Federation in responding to non-traditional security challenges in ethnic minority regions, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/the-gioi- van-de-su-kien/-/2018/819649/kinh-nghiem-cua-lien-bang-nga-trong-ung-pho-

-voi-cac-thach-thuc-an-ninh-phi-truyen-thong-vung-dan-toc-thieu-so.aspx

According to the latest figures from the United Nations, as of November 10, 2025, the current population of Russia is 143,877,919. https://danso.org/nga/

Russia’s population currently accounts for 1.74 percent of the world’s population. About 77 percent of the population lives in the European part of Russia, while 23 percent lives in the Asian section. Because it is a vast territory with both Asian and European cultural styles and with 185 ethnic groups living together on that vast land, the Russian Federation is like a big family, with separate entities, with diverse and rich cultures, customs, and practices.

The Russian coat of arms is the Byzantine double-headed eagle, combined with the image of Saint George of Moscow on the coat of arms. These symbols originated from the Grand Duchy of Moscow. The Russian flag appeared at the end of the Russian tsardom and became familiar during the Russian Empire. The current Russian national anthem uses the music of the Soviet anthem but with new lyrics (older Russians do not know the new lyrics and only sing the old ones). The hammer and sickle and the Soviet coat of arms are still commonly seen in Russian cities, decorating old architecture. The Soviet red star is also common, often on military equipment, war memorials or on Red Square. The Soviet red flag is still respected, especially the 1945 Victory Banner.

Ven. TN Giới Hương commemorates those who fell in the Battle of Stalingrad During World War II. “Motherland Calls” statue (279 feet high) is located on Mamayev Kugan hill, Volgograd, Russia. September 28, 2025

European Russia considers Russia a part of Europe with Russian civilization a part of European civilization, which is considered a Christian civilization (including Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Russian Orthodoxy).¹⁰ Eurasian Russian culture has a territory spanning two continents and is a geographical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia. Located east of the Ural Mountains, including the vast Siberia, it is considered to have an Eastern culture influenced by Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Russian Orthodox Christianity.

In terms of terrain, Russia has the Volga River (2,293 miles) which is the longest in Europe with other small tributaries of the Volga. Oymyakon in Russia is the coldest inhabited area on the planet. The Yenisei River divides the Russian Federation into two parts: the west is the East European Plain (high and fertile) and the West Siberian Plain (swamps, oil, gas), while the east

Russian “traditional religious” policy and experiences: Minh Thanh, “Russia’s ‘Traditional Religious Policy and Lessons that Can Be Learned,” Giác Ngộ Online, October 1, 2011, https://giacngo.vn/chinh-sach-ton-giao- truyen-thong-nga-va-nhung-kinh-nghiem-co-the-tham-khao-post14928.html. Giác Ngộ Online

is mountainous with plateaus, famous for its rich reserves of natural resources and minerals.

The Moscow River creates a beautiful scene, highlighting the majestic and ancient beauty of the architectural works

on both banks. August 11, 2025

1. History of Russia from the Ninth to Twenty-First Century

It is a long and tumultuous journey, starting with the early Slavic tribes, the formation of the Kiev principality, the rule of the Mongol Empire, the rise of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the establishment of the Russian Empire under the Tsars, the 1917 revolution, the birth of the Soviet Union and its dissolution in 1991 to form the present-day Russian Federation.

Red Square with its distinctive red color, proudly listed on UNESCO and chosen as the location for annual military parades. August 12, 2025

2.a. The Ninth to Sixteenth Centuries from the Principality of Kiev to the Grand Duchy of Moscow

Ninth century: Slavic tribes began to form primitive states. The Principality of Kiev was founded, becoming the center of the East Slavic region.

Thirteenth to fifteenth centuries: Russia was conquered by the Mongol Empire and ruled under the Golden Horde.

Fifteenth to sixteenth centuries: The Grand Duchy of Moscow gradually grew stronger, absorbing surrounding territories and escaping Mongol rule.

2.b. Seventeenth to nineteenth centuries-Russian Empire

Seventeenth century: The Romanovs ascend to the throne, ushering in a dynasty that lasted into the twentieth century.

Eighteenth century: Peter the Great expands Russia’s territory and modernizes it, turning it into a powerful empire.

Nineteenth century: Russia expands its territory significantly but also faces internal wars and struggles.

2.c. The twentieth century Russian and Soviet revolutions

1917: The February revolution overthrew the Tsarist regime.

The October revolution brought the Bolsheviks to power.

1922: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was established, including Russia and other republics.

1941-1945: The Soviet Union played an important role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II.

1991: The Soviet Union (USSR)¹¹ disintegrated into fifteen independent states; the Russian Federation was established and

“The Soviet Socialist Republic” is the full name of the Soviet Union, a federation founded by the Communist Party and existing from 1922 to 1991. After the Soviet Union collapsed, fifteen member republics separated and became independent states, such as Russia, Ukraine, and From then until the present, there are only four countries following the Socialist Republic: Vietnam, Cuba, North Korea, and China.

inherited the Soviet Union.

Victory Park, honoring the Soviet Union’s victories in the wars to defend the Fatherland. August 11, 2025

2.d. The Twenty-First Century Russian Federation

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and Sevastopol. On June 12, 1990, Russia declared sovereignty (National Day); on December 8, 1991, the Soviet Union was officially declared dissolved and the Russian Federation was recognized as the successor state of the Soviet Union.

State organization: According to the 1993 Constitution,¹² Russia is a federal democratic state of law, consisting of eighty-five federal subjects (after the annexation of Crimea in 2014), including twenty-two republics, nine regions, forty- six provinces, three federal cities, one autonomous oblast (province), and four autonomous okrugs (districts).

The organization of the Russian state is a federation

Russian Federation, https://tulieuvankien.dangcongsan.vn/ho-so-su- kien-nhan-chung/cac-nuoc-vung-lanh-tho/chau-au/lien-bang-nga-russian- federation-147

consisting of administrative subjects with equal rights within the federation, but with different degrees of autonomy. The state apparatus includes three branches of power: legislative (bicameral Federal Assembly: Upper House-Federation Council and Lower House-State Duma), executive (Government), and judicial (court system). The President is the head of state, directly elected and has great powers. Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia.

During the period 1999-2004, the Russian economy was in a development phase, with GDP growing at an average of

6.8 percent per year and the service and industrial sectors also growing strongly. In 2004, Russia’s GDP reached 1,500 billion USD, making Russia the eleventh-largest economy in the world and the fifth in Europe.

Since 2025, thanks to the expansion of space technology, nuclear power, tourism, oil, gas, and other minerals, Russia’s GDP reached 2,337.74 billion USD (according to data from the Central Bank of Russia and the World Bank), and according to IMF forecasts, the Russian economy will be the fourth largest in the world by 2025 when it surpasses Japan in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).

Currently, Russia is one of the nuclear powers and plays a key role in the international arena.

1. Ancient Culture of Russia

Russian culture began with the indigenous Slavic tribes and was influenced by many cultures, especially Byzantine culture during the Kievan Rus’ period (tenth-twelfth centuries). The development of Russian culture can be divided into five main stages:

Ancient Rus’ culture (tenth-twelfth centuries): This is the initial stage, influenced by Eastern Orthodox Byzantine
Muscovite period (fourteenth-seventeenth centuries):

Mongol invasions enriched Slavic and Byzantine cultures.

Russian Empire period (Seventeenth century onwards): Russia gradually turned towards Western Europe, leading to a change in cultural orientation.

Soviet culture: Communist ideology became the main factor shaping Russian culture in the twentieth
Modern culture: This period continued to develop based on the foundation of Soviet culture and influences from the

Referring to Russian culture means talking about the long- standing traditional arts—especially architecture, painting, rituals, literary treasures, philosophy, music, customs, cuisine and long-standing practices—shaped by the complex history and vast Eurasian geography of 185 diverse ethnic groups.

The majestic Triumphal Arch of Moscow on Victory Square, a place marking the bravery of the Russian people

in defending the country. August 11, 2025

The primary characteristics of Russian culture can be understood as follows:

3.1. Art and Literature

Architectural Works

Russian architecture is characterized by historical, religious, and modern structures, reflecting the diverse influences of Eastern and Western cultures, or in other words, a blend of Byzantine, European, and distinct Russian styles. Some of the most famous structures include St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, with its unique multi-colored onion domes resembling fairytale princess castles, the Kremlin and Winter Palace (Moscow) with its magnificent royal architecture, the Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg), Peterhof Summer Palace (built by Peter the Great), the beautiful Kul-Sharif Mosque (in Kazan, the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan), Moscow State University (one of the tallest buildings in Moscow and a prime example of Stalinist architecture).

Kremlin Cathedrals and Kremlin Wall with Kremlin Towers, Moscow, Russia. November 8, 2025

The Moscow Kremlin is the geographical and historical center of Moscow, located on the left bank of the Moskva River on Borovitskii Hill, one of the oldest parts of the city, the seat of the highest bodies of Russian government and one of the main historical and artistic structures of the country. A historic fortress complex overlooking Red Square in Moscow, it includes the Kremlin Palaces, Kremlin Cathedrals, and the Kremlin Wall with Kremlin Towers.

Russian architecture is strongly influenced by religion and there is a fusion between Orthodox traditions (through icons) and modern art movements. Domed church architecture appeared in Russia in the seventeenth century.

The Church of the Saviour on Blood in St. Petersburg (top photo; currently the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate), August 15, 2025, and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, August 11, 2025. Both have magnificent beauty, attracting the eye with their gilded domes.

Regarding Buddhist architecture, the images of Buddha, Bodhisattva, bell towers, and curved roofs of the pagodas in Tibetan and Mongolian style also appeared in the seventeenth century, such as the ancient vaulted architecture of Gunzechoinei Datsan (in St. Petersburg, former Leningrad), built in 1908, the first and oldest pagoda in Russia), Tubden Shedubling (Moscow, built in 2000), Ivolginsky Datsan (Buryatia), Tubten Shedrub Ling Datsan (Tuva) and Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Datsan (Kalmykia).

Gunzechoinei Datsan in St. Petersburg (built in 1908), the first and oldest pagoda in Russia. August 18, 2025

Tubden Shedubling in Moscow (built in 2000). August 18, 2025

3.1.b. Fine Arts

Russian painting is a diverse art school, famous for its works

depicting Russian history, culture, people, and landscapes.

Many architectural and artistic masterpieces are underground within each station of Moscow’s special metro system.

August 13, 2025

Typical Russian paintings often have historical and portrait themes, with famous paintings such as Portrait of an Unknown Woman (Ivan Kramskoy, 1883, depicting the mysterious look of a woman), Girl with Peaches (Valentin Serov, 1887, a classic work depicting the innocent beauty of a young girl).

The Morning of the Streltsy Execution (Vasily Surikov, 1881, a monumental historical account of an important Russian event). These masterpieces depicting the character of the Russian people and country are often hung in public places such as museums, train stations, hotels, restaurants, as well as reproduced on calendars and cake boxes. Looking at these vivid paintings, one can imagine the soul and circumstances of the Russian people.

The Morning of the Streltsy Execution (Vasily Surikov)

The Unknown Woman (Ivan Kramskoy)

3.1.c. Poetry and Literature

Russian literature has gone through a golden age, from the nineteenth century with world-famous classic masterpieces of poetry and novels such as War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy describes Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars), Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky talks about profound social psychology, exploring issues of morality and human psychology), Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy’s tragic love and betrayal, often considered one of the greatest novels of all time), Quiet Flows the Don (Mikhail Sholokhov’s depiction of Cossack life during the turbulent period of the Russian October Revolution and Civil War (this work brought Sholokhov the Nobel Prize for Literature) and Evgeny Onegin (written in verse by Pushkin. This novel is considered a masterpiece of nineteenth- century Russian poetry).The classic works of these great writers have penetrated deeply into the human psyche, philosophy and deeply described Russian social life. Novels and plays have been adapted into films and are taught in university lecture halls in Russia, Vietnam, and other countries. The Russian education system is also famous, with the first Russian university founded in 1755 and modeled after German and Western European universities. The Russian academic education system trains talented people in many fields for Russia and the world.

Statue of the great writer Pushkin and his wife, Natalia.

August 13, 2025

3.1.d. Theater Arts

Russia is the cradle of world-class ballet, opera, and classical music with famous theaters such as the Bolshoi and Mariinsky. The balalaika is also a traditional triangular musical instrument, a symbol of Russian culture. Swan Lake, Cinderella and Don Quixote are lively ballet works, loved on all the world’s dance stages. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff were great composers. Russia has always been the country with one of the highest quality of dance, musical theater, opera, and ballet training in the world, so it attracts students and artists from home and abroad to study.

Russian paintings. August 14, 2025

3.1.e. Language

There are three main languages used in the Russian Federation: Russian, Tatar, and Ukrainian. In addition, there are local languages and regional dialects, with at least twenty- seven other languages that are co-official in each region in the constituent republics. Visitors and students can use English.

3.2. Traditions and Customs

3.2.A. Customs of Hospitality and Giving Russian Salt Bread

Russians are generally kind, generous, and hospitable. When visiting a home, guests are often warmly welcomed with drinks and foods, especially Russian salt bread. The host will hold a tray of fragrant, hot, crispy bread with white salt at the door to welcome guests. Guests should bend down to kiss the bread in response to the host’s friendliness. This is a unique cultural feature in Russia. For this birch country, bread symbolizes the desire for wealth and prosperity while salt embodies the strength of love, safeguarding people and granting them resilience and steadfastness.

Russian bread and salt tray

You take a piece of bread to show your appreciation. This is a ritual that the guest must perform as a greeting to start a friendly relationship. The culture of “giving bread and salt” is an indispensable part of this birch country.

3.2.b. Culinary Traditions

The daily cuisine of Russian people is Borsch beet-root soup with pork, pelmeni, Leningrad rolls, black bread, Russian salad, okroshka cold soup, kasha porridge, salmon and salmon caviar, shashlik, pirozhki, blini, and pancakes served with honey or caviar. At parties or with guests, there is always vodka and karavai bread. For residents in cold regions like Siberia, smoked cheese, horse, donkey, and goat meat are often used, dishes that help the mountain people stay full longer and increase energy.

For tourists, there are also supermarkets selling fast food with Vietnamese, Indian, and Chinese restaurants. Vegetarian restaurants are rare, meaning they do not have vegetarian customs like Vietnamese, Korean, and Taiwanese Buddhism.

Lunch menu at the Altai nomadic tent. October 1, 2025

Vegetarian food, including vegetables, fried noodles, salad, cheese, and fried cakes dipped in honey at Zungun Darzhaling Temple, Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, Russia. August 18, 2025

3.2.c. Family Tradition

The family is the center of Russian culture, with close intergenerational relationships. When a child is born, all relatives traditionally share the responsibility for taking care of the child including buying clothes and supplies, so the parents rarely need to shop for these things themselves.

Wooden figurines of a traditional Russian family at the Izmailovo Kremlin Museum. August 13, 2025

Grandmother and grandchild at the Altai horse farm.

October 2, 2025

Grandparents frequently play a leading role in raising a child during the early years and often look after the baby full-time until preschool or school age, after which the child usually returns to living primarily with the parents. This has become a Russian tradition. In Russian culture, families place great emphasis on raising children to be independent. When girls reach the ages of eighteen to twenty-three, they are regarded as fully mature adults and it is both common and frequently expected for them to marry and establish their own families.

3.2.d. Religious Traditions

Eastern Orthodoxy plays an important role in shaping Russian cultural and spiritual values. It brings its own calendar of major religious holidays, most importantly Easter and Christmas. The Russian Orthodox tradition also has its own beloved figure of gift-giving in winter—Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) who differ noticeably from the Western Santa Claus. Other religions practiced in Russia have their own official holidays as well. Buddhists mark Buddha’s Birthday and other Buddhist festivals.

Religion and its associated rituals are regarded as part of Russia’s intangible cultural heritage. In 1997, Russian legislation officially recognized four traditional religions: Christian Orthodoxy, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism. Russians respect people of other faiths. Everyone has the right to freedom of religion or no religion.

A cherished Buddhist tradition in Russia is the act of giving alms and setting doves free as a gesture of mercy and loving- kindness. August 20, 2025 in Moscow

3.2.e. Traditional National Holidays

New Year’s Day, January 1. Orthodox Christmas, January 7.

Maslenitsa, celebrated in February or March, is the weeklong festival held just before Lent (per the Julian calendar). It marks the farewell to winter with outdoor festivities and the traditional eating of blini (pancakes).

International Women’s Day, March 8 International Workers’ Day, May 1

Orthodox Easter, in the spring after Lent (according to the Julian Calendar).

Victory Day, May 9 (The anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. A huge military parade is held on this day every year on Red Square in Moscow.)

Day of the Slavic Alphabet and Culture, May 24

National Day (June 12) Day of the Russian Federation Declaration of Sovereignty

Ivan Kupala Day (July 7) celebrated since pagan times with people lighting bonfires and singing and dancing to folk music

Navy Day, the last Sunday of July (a major celebration including naval parades in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok)

National Unity Day, November 4

Defender of the Fatherland Day, February 23 Shepherd’s Day, Cossack Festival, and many others

The festivals are an occasion for the Russian Federation community to remember the roots of national culture, to pay tribute to their ancestors, heroic soldiers, and to turn to their traditional religions and folk beliefs.

3.2.f. Four Seasons

Russia has a wide variety of climates. Most of the country experiences a humid continental to subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short summers. A small stretch of the Black Sea coast (around Sochi) enjoys a subtropical climate while in other areas of the country, winters are long and cold with average temperatures ranging from -4° F to -7.6 F. Summer and winter each dominate for nearly six months, while spring and autumn are short, often just a couple of weeks, serving mainly as brief transitional periods.

Especially in mountainous regions like the Altai Republic in southern Siberia, Russia, you can witness dramatic seasonal contrasts in a single day. In the morning, the mountain foothills glow with brilliant yellow autumn leaves, but by afternoon, as you ascend toward the summit, subzero air brings snowfall that blankets the golden pine forests. It’s possible to experience both autumn and winter in just one day.

Altai autumn in morning and Altai winter in afternoon; Russian Federation in one day. October 1, 2025

3.3. Communication and Social Ethics

Typical Russian clothing

Russian clothing includes traditional clothing such as the kosovorotka for both men and women, and the sarafan and kokoshnik for women, along with robes such as the kaftan. The costumes are often multi-layered, brightly colored, and hand- embroidered, with accessories such as scarves, ushanka hats and lapti or valenki shoes.

TN Giới Hương carrying water with tour guide in traditional Russian costume. August 13, 2025

Russia features a rich variety of traditional costumes that vary by region. A shared characteristic across most is the use of multiple layers, which serve both to provide warmth in the harsh climate and to enhance visual richness and aesthetic appeal.

Red is an important color, symbolizing beauty, joy, and luck. Embroidery motifs frequently carry symbolic meanings as protective amulets, drawing inspiration from nature, ancient mythology, and spiritual beliefs.

In colder northern regions like Siberia, traditional clothing is typically made from thick fur to withstand the harsh climate, whereas in the warmer southern regions, costumes feature more intricate embroidery and vibrant, vivid colors.

Weather-related costumes such as those in the northern regions (Siberia) are often made from thick fur, while costumes in the southern regions have more complex embroidery patterns and brighter colors.

3.3.b. The Custom of Returning Home to One’s Country Home on Weekends or Summer Vacations

Altai countryside, Russian Federation. October 1, 2025

Russians have a deep-rooted tradition of loving rural life and staying connected to the land. Even if they live and work in cities, many keep a strong tie to the countryside. On weekends, people often return to their family dacha or village home in the country or beyond to tend gardens, relax in nature, and enjoy a slower pace of life. Because of this, it’s common for families to maintain two homes: a small apartment or room in the city for work and daily convenience, and a cozy house in the countryside for leisure and farming.

Alternatively, if a family doesn’t own a dacha, they often rent one for the whole summer so that children can spend the warm months outdoors in fresh air, playing in nature and helping with light garden work, before returning to the city for the new school year in September. This summer dacha tradition remains popular.

Russian families look forward to summer as a time to relax and enjoy wonderful moments of rest together. This is a precious time to live slowly and reconnect with family close to nature beside ripe rice fields, yellow-leafed forests, gentle babbling streams, pine trees rustling in the wind, and distant mountains standing watch. This is a beautiful tradition, deeply rooted in the Russian soul and way of life.

3.3.c. Gift-giving Customs

When visiting each other, guests usually do not come empty- handed but often bring gifts. This is an unwritten rule. Popular gifts include cakes, bottles of wine or vodka, chocolates, and flowers. When giving flowers, you should present 1, 3, 5, 7 or any other odd number of stems, since even numbers are traditionally associated with funerals. Although red carnations or yellow flowers may be considered lovely in other countries, they are seen as symbols of bad luck in Russia, so they’re best avoided as gifts.

Vodka Museum in the Izmailovo Kremlin, Moscow.

August 13, 2025

3.3.d. Classic Russian Souvenirs

Giant traditional Russian matryoshkas at the Izmailovo Kremlin, Moscow. August 13, 2025

Matryoshka dolls are beloved symbols of Russian culture.

They are among the most iconic symbols of Russia. The image of a girl in a brightly colored scarf represents the beauty, warmth, and hospitality of Russian women. As one of Russia’s most distinctive souvenirs, matryoshka dolls are often purchased by tourists as gifts for friends or as keepsakes to bring home.

3.3.e. Culture of Wishing Good Health

With good health, everything can be done easily and Russians always wish this for everyone. Russians, like many other people, value strength and well-being above all else, so the first thing is to wish good health. When someone sneezes, Russians use the phrase, “budte zdorovy,” the direct Russian equivalent of the English “bless you.” This is a special form of communication and elicits a welcome response.

Mall displaying unique Russian souvenirs. August 13, 2025

3.3.f. Cultural Symbols (unofficial)

The matryoshka doll is a recognizable symbol of Russia, while the Moscow Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow are the most important architectural symbols.

Cheburashka, a beloved Soviet/Russian cartoon character, is the mascot of the Russian National Olympic team. Mary, St. Nicholas, St. Andrew, St. George, St. Alexander Nevsky, St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. Seraphim of Sarov are the patron saints of Russia.

Roman chamomile is a flower that often evokes memories of the Motherland for Russians and the birch is considered the national tree.

The Russian bear is an animal often associated with Russia, even though this image originated in Western Europe and Russians themselves do not consider it to be a special symbol. “Родина мать” Motherland is the personification of native Russia, also often called “Mother Russia” in the West.

Culture, costumes, and music of Elista, Buddhist Republic of Kalmykia, Russian Federation. September 24, 2025

2. Religions and Beliefs of the Russian Federation

In 1997, the Russian government identified only four traditional religions of which Buddhism is one, alongside Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.¹³ These four are recognized by the Russian government as the traditional religions that have long been associated with the history and culture of Russia.

According to religious statistics (updated to 2024) in

Russia, 68 percent of Russians follow Orthodox Christianity, 7 percent Islam and 5 percent Buddhism, Judaism, and other religions.¹⁴

The main and most widespread religion in the Russian Federation is Orthodox Christianity (Russian Orthodox Church). This religion is considered a traditional religion and has a profound influence on Russian culture and history.

The current religious policy under President Vladimir Putin has identified Buddhism, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and Judaism as the “four traditional religions”¹⁵ of the Russian Federation because these religions have independent, domestic religious organizations, not subject to the direction or

Evgenii Vlasov, Vice Rector for International Cooperation, Far Eastern Federal University, Russian Federation. Buddhism in the Russian Federation (Phó Hiệu phó Hợp tác Quốc tế, Đại học Tổng hợp Liên bang Viễn Đông, Liên bang Nga. Phật giáo tại Liên Bang Nga).

https://tnti.vnu.edu.vn/phat-giao-tai-lien-bang-nga/

Nguyễn Đức Kha, “Experience of the Russian Federation in Responding to Non-Traditional Security Challenges in Ethnic Minority Regions,” Tạp chí Cộng sản (September 29, 2020), https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/ the-gioi-van-de-su-kien/-/2018/819649/kinh-nghiem-cua-lien-bang-nga-trong- ung-pho--voi-cac-thach-thuc-an-ninh-phi-truyen-thong-vung-dan-toc-thieu-so. aspx
Minh Thanh, “Russia’s ‘Traditional Religious’ Policy and Experiences That Can Be Learned,” Giác Ngộ Online, October 1, 2011, https://giacngo. vn/chinh-sach-ton-giao-truyen-thong-nga-va-nhung-kinh-nghiem-co-the-tham- khao-post14928.html

coordination of foreign churches. Relations with churches of the same religion abroad are relations of equality and exchange, and these religions have a long history of association with the peoples of the Russian Federation.

Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism are traditional religions in Russia, part of Russia’s historical heritage that was recognized by law in 1997. Estimates of the number of believers vary from source to source, with reports estimating the number of non-religious people in Russia to be between 16 and 48 percent of the population. Russian Orthodoxy is the most widespread religion in Russia. Ninety-five percent of registered Orthodox parishes belong to the Russian Orthodox Church, and there are also smaller Orthodox churches. However, many

Russian Orthodox do not attend church regularly. Nevertheless, churches are respected by both believers and non-believers as symbols of Russian heritage and culture. Smaller Christian denominations include Roman Catholics, Armenian Orthodox, and various Protestant denominations.

The ancestors of present-day Russians were Orthodox in the tenth century. The 2007 World Religion Report published by the U.S. State Department found that 100 million people consider themselves Russian Orthodox. According to a survey by the Russian Center for Public Opinion Research, 63 percent of respondents considered themselves Russian Orthodox, 6 percent considered themselves Muslim, and less than 1 percent considered themselves Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant or Jewish. Additionally, 12 percent of respondents said they believed in God but had no religion, and 16 percent said they were non-religious.

International Buddhist Forum in Elista, Kalmykia, Russia. September 26-28, 2025

At this Forum, religions from the Russian Federation and the world came to attend. Russian traditional religion perspective ¹⁶ is an insightful perspective, showing Russia’s ingenuity in building a sense of independence and autonomy in religious activities. Accordingly, former President Medvedev and President Putin’s financial support for traditional religions are considered strategic, subtle investments in the sense of independence, autonomy, and Russian identity in the religious field.

The policy of traditional religion has been a consistent line of Russia throughout the three presidential terms. Therefore, the way Russia has proposed and implemented this policy over the past decade can become a model in the planning of religious policy, serving the viewpoint of independence, autonomy, and nationalism.

The constitution of the Russian Federation guarantees freedom of religion and belief for every citizen, including the right to follow or not to follow any religion.

Minh Thạnh, “Russia’s ‘Traditional Religious’ Policy and Experiences That Can Be Learned,” Giác Ngộ Online, October 1, 2011, https://giacngo.vn/chinh- sach-ton-giao-truyen-thong-nga-va-nhung-kinh-nghiem-co-the-tham-khao- html

As the third president of the Russian Federation (2008- 2012), Dmitry Medvedev continued, expanded, and refined the religious policies set by the previous presidents, Boris Yeltsin (1991-1999) and Vladimir Putin (2000-2008).

Under President Putin, the Russian Orthodox Church is considered to have a priority position compared to other traditional religions in Russia. Although this priority is not expressed in specific legal documents, there have been different reactions to this policy. Some people support the strengthening of the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in social and cultural life, considering it as an integral part of Russian national identity and history. Others, on the other hand, have expressed concern about this preferential treatment, arguing that it could undermine the equality of religions and the secular character of the state, especially among intellectuals and those with more diverse views on Russia’s place in the global context.

On July 23, 2007, ten Russian scientists, including two Nobel Prize winners of the Russian Academy of Sciences, sent an open letter to President Vladimir Putin, expressing concern about the clericalization of the country. Specifically, they were concerned regarding the growing role of the Russian Orthodox Church in society.

In 2008, President Dmitry Medvedev remedied this imbalance and deepened the policy of the “four traditional religions.” The first concrete action was the general, equal financial support for all recognized traditional religions. On August 24, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the Russian Buddhist clergy at the Ivolginsk Datsan Buddhist Center in the Buddhist Republic of Buryatia.

At that meeting, the Russian President confirmed the financial support of the state and stressed that due to this support, foreign assistance was not necessary.

Following this, on July 21, 2009, President Medvedev issued a decision to introduce four traditional religions of Russia into the national education system. Teaching was implemented from the second semester (spring 2010).

This was a significant step in concretizing the policy of traditional religions. The Russian President believes that financial support is not enough to demonstrate this policy, but needs to be deepened by the decision to include the teaching of traditional religions in schools, creating opportunities for Buddhism to be spread more widely in Russia under the support of the Russian Federation.

The traditional religion perspective demonstrates Russia’s sophistication in building a sense of independence and autonomy in religious activities. Accordingly, President Medvedev’s financial support for traditional religions is considered a clever investment to strengthen the sense of independence, autonomy, and Russian identity in the religious field.

The traditional religion policy has been a consistent line of Russia through three presidents: Boris Yeltsin (1991-1999), Vladimir Putin (2000-2008), Dmitry Medvedev (2008-2012) and Vladimir Putin (2012-present).

Although there are certain biases and adjustments, everything is within the framework of the four defined traditional religions. This policy does not change the definition and does not add or redefine new religions. Therefore, the correctness and coherence of this policy with the general goal of building an independent and self-reliant Russia have been clarified.

For the above reasons, the formulation and implementation of the traditional religious policy in Russia over the past decade can be considered a model for the formulation and implementation of religious policy, serving the viewpoint of independence, autonomy, and nationalism.

Russia is a country with a rich material culture and strong religious traditions. The cultural features of Russia include their customs (such as greeting with bread and salt), art (ballet, opera, matryoshka dolls), architecture and painting (St. Basil’s Cathedral, Tubten Shedrub Ling Datsan) and paying-respects rituals of the four traditional religions (Orthodox Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism).

Russia’s traditional costumes, featuring unique patterns like the sarafan and kokoshnik, its music—from the balalaika to opera and ballet—festivals and distinctive cuisine reflect the country’s cultural richness. Tourists visiting Russia can explore its long history, religious customs, and remarkable artistic culture.

The Church of the Saviour on Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia is notable for its ornate stonework, mosaic tiles, and unique construction site, built on the exact location where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. August 16, 2025

***

Chapter 2

HISTORY OF BUDDHISM IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The Origin of Buddhism in Russia in the First-Eighth Centuries
TheAppearance of Buddhism in Russia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
Buddhism in Russia in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
Buddhism in Russia after the October Revolution of 1917
The State of Buddhism after the Great Patriotic War
The Revival of Russian Buddhism in the Late Twentieth Century
Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-first Century

***

uddhism, though a minority religion in Russia, boasts a rich history and has left a significant mark on Russian

culture. Far from being a recent arrival, it has been intertwined with the country’s culture for centuries, surviving periods of imperial patronage, religious persecution and finally, revival.

The story of Buddhism in Russia is one of resilience, adapting to the interplay of political, cultural, and spiritual forces to survive and thrive to this day.

Ivolginsky Datsan, Dugan of Khambo Lama Itigilov, official residence of the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of the Russian Federation,

Buryatia. September 19, 2025

1. The Origin of Buddhism in Russia in the First-Eighth Centuries

Buddhism appeared in India around 566-473 BC, but its introduction to Russia, according to legend, began around the middle of the first century AD.¹⁷ This event took place in Central Asia, along the Silk Road. Buddhism spread strongly,

Thích Nguyên Tảng, “Buddhism in Russia,” in Buddhism Around the World (Melbourne, Australia, 2001), https://www.tuvienquangduc.com.au/ quocte/01pgkhaptg-nga.html

from Khoroza to the vast area along the Caspian Sea, the Aral Sea to the Pacific Ocean. However, there are many opinions regarding the earlier introduction of Buddhism in Russia Researchers at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences believe that Buddhism appeared in Russia in the pre-Christian period in the Far East.

A leading scholar of the Institute of Oriental Studies at Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Professor Baatr Kitinov,¹⁸ states that Buddhism was introduced to Russia from China in three different waves.

The first wave of Buddhism reached Russian territory from the seventh to the eighth century, after which Chinese Buddhism spread to the Bohai Kingdom in the Far East of today’s Russia.

Archaeologists studying the Bohai Kingdom unearthed a Vaijra metal staff with lotus motifs, like those of the Tibetans.

This staff indicates that it belongs to Vajrayana Buddhism, that is, Tibetan Buddhism. Russian scientists have also discovered the foundations of a Buddhist monastery with lecture halls and adjacent rooms located on an area of over 21,528 sq. ft. at Cape Obzvistom (Shkotovsky district, Primorye) built in the Middle Ages.

Given the influence of the Koreans on the Balhae Kingdom and the results of excavations of the temple foundations, it can be inferred that Buddhism was transmitted to Russia between the eighth and tenth centuries via Korea.

Development: Many Buddhist centers were built. In the early Middle Ages, all the major cities in Central Asia had monasteries.

Notable centers: Buddhist centers in Koutcha and Khotan were especially famous. Eminent Indian monks came to Khotan

Baatr Kitinov, “The Introduction and Development of Buddhism in Russia,” Phat Su Tan Vien, Phat Su Tan Vien, February 27, 2024, https:// phatsutanvien.vn/su-du-nhap-va-phat-trien-cua-phat-giao-tai-nga/

to collect rare Buddhist scriptures lost in India.

Contrary to legend, existing historical documents show that Tibetan Buddhism is the strongest sect in Russia, introduced through Mongolia. This contact is believed to have originated in the thirteenth century when the Mongols came into contact with Tibetan Buddhism. In addition, Buddhism from Asian immigrant communities (China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea) is also present in Russia.

According to historical records, the earliest images of Tibetan and Mongolian monks arriving in Russia were in the mid-seventeenth century. The first place they arrived was east of Lake Baikal, near the Mongolian border, which later developed into one of the largest Buddhist centers in Russia.

After the October Revolution (1917), archaeological work in Central Asia discovered significant material evidence of the long-standing presence of Buddhism.

Discoveries in Termez: Stone Buddha statues of the Gandhara school and temple ruins with black and bronze lion statues.

Discovered in North Kingizie (Tchou River Valley): Pagodas and Buddhist statues.

Discovered in the ancient city of Djoul: A large monastery with small meditation rooms.

Discovered in North Bairamalia (Turkmenistan): A Buddhist shrine and a ceramic jar containing small stone Buddha statues.

In recent years, archaeological work has continued to uncover more Buddhist sites in Seniretchié, Krasnoretchenskoie and the Ferghara Valley (Tadjikistan). Notably, twenty ancient Buddhist documents written in Brahmi and Kharoshti scripts have also been found there.

This evidence confirms that Buddhism was present in Russia from the middle of the first century AD and was active in Central Asia. However, it was not until the eighteenth century that

Buddhism began to have a profound influence on the spiritual life of the Russian people.

Recent archaeological discoveries have added to the evidence of the presence of Buddhism in Russia.

New sites: Several Buddhist centers were found in Seniretchié (Krasnoretchenskoie), southern Tajikistan and the Ferghara Valley.

Written material: Important discoveries of twenty ancient Buddhist documents written in Brahmi and Kharoshti.

The results of the research confirm that Buddhism existed in Russian Central Asia from the middle of the first century AD.

Despite its long history, the profound influence of Buddhism on the spiritual life of the Russian people was only truly recognized in the eighteenth century.

Ven. TN Giới Hương in front of the Tahaah Datsa main hall, Ulan-Ude. September 19, 2025

1. The Appearance of Buddhism in Russia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries

The official introduction of Buddhism to Russia took place in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries,¹⁹ through the following events:

Migration of ethnic groups: The Mongol Oirat (Kalmyk) and Buriat tribes brought Buddhism with them when they settled in the lower Volga and Zabaikalie rivers.

Territorial annexation: In 1914, the Tuva region was annexed to Russia, adding a Buddhist community.

State recognition: In 1741, the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna issued a decree recognizing Buddhism as one of the official religions of the Russian Empire.

In the early stages, due to their nomadic lifestyle, the Buriat people only built makeshift Buddhist altars in their tents. The construction of permanent monasteries began in the mid- eighteenth century.

1753-1758: The Xongolski (later Khilgantuiski) Monastery, built of wood, was the first permanent Buddhist monastery in Russia. The Gusinoozerski Monastery was soon built.

Khorinski region: In 1752, the Tibetan lama Luvsan Shirab (Lubsan Shirab) was officially appointed by Russian authorities as the chief lama (shireete) over the thirty-three lamas of the eleven Khori Buryat tribes, formalizing and strengthening organized Buddhist practice in the Khorinsky region of Transbaikal. No permanent monastery (datsan) was founded that year; fixed Khorinsky datsans emerged later.

Buddhism appeared in Kalmykia (the European part of Russia) in the early seventeenth century, associated with the migration of the Oirat tribe from Dzungaria to the lower Volga

Nguyễn Văn Dũng, Religion, Political and Social Life in Some Countries in the World (Hà Nội: National Political Publishing House [NXB Chính trị quốc gia], 2012), 339-356, “The Introduction and Development of Buddhism in the Russian Federation (Sự du nhập và phát triển của Phật giáo ở Liên bang Nga),” https://btgcp.gov.vn/nghien-cuu-khoa-hoc-va-trao-doi-y-kien/Khai_quat_ve_ Phat_giao_o_Lien_bang_Nga; net.

and Don rivers. In Russia, they are called Kalmyk.

Official religion: In the second half of the seventeenth century, Buddhism became the official religion in the newly established Kalmyk feudal domain.

Religious history: Although the Oirats knew of Buddhism beginning in the thirteenth century, Buddhism only flourished in the early seventeenth century.

Historical events: In 1771, due to pressure, most Kalmyks returned to China; only a small number remained and migrated to neighboring regions.

Monastery form: Initially, they used Khurula (mobile temple hall made from a kibitka cart). Later, permanent wooden monasteries were built, for example, Darkhan-Dorgin-Kit Monastery (before 1616).

Statistics: At the end of the eighteenth century, the Kalmyks in Russia had fourteen Buddhist monasteries.

It is noteworthy that shamanism, the ancient belief of the Kalmyks, Buriat, and Tuvin, still existed alongside Buddhism.

Ban: In 1640, the Congress of Mongol and Oirat lords officially issued a law banning shamanism.

Reality: Despite the ban and the widespread popularity of Buddhism in Siberia, shamanism continued to exist.

Interaction: The two faiths sometimes combined, creating strange mixed rituals of shamanism and Mahayana Buddhism.

1. Buddhism in Russia in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries

The Tsarist land and administrative reforms in Buryatia (late ninth-early twentieth centuries) created major upheavals:

Social impact: The reform, which was equivalent to the abolition of serfdom, divided Buryatian society into two clearly opposing factions: the feudalists who opposed it and the progressives (rich peasants, intellectuals) who supported it.

Religious impact: This situation also affected the Buddhist sangha.

Consequences: The difficult living conditions of the lower clergy led to the emergence of “steppe lamas”—those who left monastic life to live among nomadic communities.

Reform movement: Baradin led the campaign to “renovate” Buddhism towards the original ideal.

Situation in Kalmykia:

After the Kalmyk territory was abolished, the region came under the control of the
The 1834 statute placed Buddhist monasteries under the full authority of the Russian government.
Situation in Tuva:
The Tuvins (a Turkic Buddhist people) joined the Russian Buddhist organization before 1917.
Buddhism flourished in Tuva in the seventeenth- ninteenth centuries.
In 1914, Tuva was officially placed under Russian
Buddhism could not overshadow shamanism—the ancient beliefs of the However, when Tuva became part of the Russian Empire, Buddhism continued to flourish, with twenty-two monasteries and 4,000 monks and nuns.
In the early twentieth century, religious harmony was evident in Tuva:
2,000 shamans lived peacefully with the
Some individuals took on a dual role: both shaman and

The Gunzetroinei Buddhist Monastery in Saint Petersburg was built in 1915 with the aim of developing diplomatic relations between Russia and the countries of the East (Mongolia, Tibet).
Funding: The 13th Dalai Lama funded the project, Bogd Gegen (head of Mongolian Buddhism) with donations from Buryatia and Kalmykia
Director: His Excellency Agvan Dorjiev (1853-1938), a representative of Tibetan Buddhism and a famous Buryatian lama, directed the construction and was the first abbot of the Gunzetroinei Monastery in Petersburg.

Gunzechoinei Datsan Pagoda, built in 1908 in St. Petersburg, the first and oldest pagoda in Russia. August 16, 2025

2. Buddhism in Russia

after the October Revolution of 1917

The October Revolution of 1917 was a turning point for both Russia and Russian Buddhism, opening a period of difficulties in history:

Recognition of the government: At the end of the civil war, the leadership of the Russian Buddhist Church (headed by Lama Agvan Dorjiev) recognized the Soviet government.

Adaptation strategy: They emphasized the similarities between communism and Buddhism, calling on monks and Buddhists to live according to ancient moral ideals.

Internal conflicts: The monasteries were in a struggle between:

The renovation faction wanted to reorganize the sangha to survive under the new regime.
The conservative faction: tried to maintain the old wealth and privileges.
The first Congress of Soviet Buddhism (January1927): The renovation faction won. The conservative faction only prevented the establishment of the All-Union

Establishment of the representative body: A provisional representative body was established, consisting of Aragva Nasankiev and Dagdan Dambayev, headquartered at the Gunzetroinei Monastery, St. Petersburg.

Approval: The Third Congress of Buryatian Buddhists (August 1928) supported the above decisions.

Historical turning point: Although Buddhism supported the Soviet government, the state’s cultural-ideological struggle against religion had begun. The goal now shifted from development to saving the existence of Russian Buddhism.

The period of rural collectivization witnessed the strong repression of Buddhism in Russia:

Destruction and requisition: Temples were demolished or converted to other uses.

Lack of followers: By 1935, one third of the temples were empty because monks and Buddhists were suppressed or fled.

Mass closure (1936): Using the pretext of border security, the government closed all twenty-two to twenty-nine active temples. Lamas were labeled as “enemies of the people” and “Japanese spies.”

Consequences in Kalmykia and Tuva: Temples were completely burned. Only a stone building remained in Kalmykia and a wall in Tuva.

Front gate of the Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Datsan in the Buddhist Republic of Kalmykia. September 24, 2025

3. The State of Buddhism after the Patriotic War

At the end of the Great Patriotic War in 1945: A number of provisions of the Soviet religious policy were amended, becoming more lenient towards religion. Religious organizations and places were allowed to operate. The patriotic contribution of Buryatian Buddhists (353,100 rubles) was recorded.

Restoration allowed: The government allowed Buddhists to restore monasteries.

1946: The Ivolginsky and Aginsky Monasteries in Buryatia were reopened, contributing to the image of religious freedom under the Soviet regime. These monasteries remained under strict state control and supervision.

Bidiya Dandaron, a follower of Tsydenov, emerged as a prominent figure. He attempted to revive the Tantric tradition under the atheist regime and developed “New Buddhism,” which sought to combine Buddhist teachings with Western philosophy and science. He and his followers faced repression and Dandaron eventually died in a prison camp. However, his students would later play a central role in the revival of Buddhism in post-Soviet Russia.²⁰

1946 conference was led by Lama A. Galsanov (head of Buddhism in Buryatia during the Soviet Union). In the summer of 1946, he, together with lamas and Buddhists, organized the Buddhist Conference in Ulan-Ude.

New statutes: The Forum adopted the Statute of the Buddhist Sangha and the Statute of the Buddhist Clergy of the USSR, which stipulated that lamas “Respect the Fatherland of the working people as much as they respect their own sacred

Buddhist beliefs and strive to contribute to the consolidation and prosperity of the Fatherland.”

Leading body: The Central Council of the Buddhist Church of the USSR was the supreme body, headed by the Pandito Khambo Lama.

Headquarters: Located at the Khambin Sume Temple (now the Ivolginsky Monastery, Tuva), eighteen miles from Ulan-Ude.

Alexandre Andreyev and Irina Garri. Buddhism in Buryatia: Seventeenth- Beginning of the 21st Century. Dharamsala: Library of Tibetan Works and 2023. 61.

The first Khambo Lama: Lobsan-Nima Darmayev was elected to this position.

Buddhism in Buryatia: Seventeenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first century.

The second monastery: The Aginsky Monastery was allowed to operate in the Chita province.

Activities: These two monasteries maintained traditional religious activities under strict state control until the start of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika.

Only twenty lamas were licensed to operate in official Buddhist centers, while others operated semi-openly in other regions:

Secret activities: Hundreds of lamas returned after completing their re-education, performing rituals for villagers and practicing traditional medicine.

Expanding the scope: Lamas recruited new lamas from outside the Buddhist traditional regions.

Dandaron lamas: Lama Bidia Dandaront’s group in Buryatia attracted followers from all over the Soviet Union (Russia, Ukraine, Pribaltika...).

Consequences: In 1972, Lama Dandaron was arrested for organizing a “cult” and died in a re-education camp in 1974.

Religious situation: In the late 1970s, the number of lamas in Kalmykia and Tuva was small, while in Buryatia, activities were still secret.

Events in Tuva: As Buddhism became more active again, Lama Genden Ceren moved to the Ivolginsky Monastery to practice and passed away there in 1985.

Taking Buddhism as a foreign policy (mid-1950s): Legal Buddhism²¹ in the Soviet Union developed due to the policy of

This is the Buddhist Church recognized as a legal entity by the Soviet In addition, in Russia there are many Buddhist sects that operate without

freedom of belief and served diplomacy in Asia.

International integration:

1956: The Central Council of the Buddhist Sangha of the Soviet Union joined the World Buddhist Association.

1969: The Asian Buddhist Conference was convened, led by pro-Soviet countries.

International exchanges: Foreign Buddhist delegations and lecturers visited the two main monasteries in Zabaikalie, promoting the spirit of study and practice for Russian Buddhists.

Personnel issues: Buddhist activities during this period were completely dependent on the old dignitaries who had been trained before 1930. There was no successor and a shortage of dignitaries.

Many Buryatian monks and nuns came to the Buddhist University of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to study and improve their ability to teach the Dharma and serve their homeland, Buryatia. The five-year training program had the following characteristics:

Curriculum: Includes traditional Buddhism, Tibetan, English, and Marxism.

Language and requirements: Instruction is in Mongolian. Admission is limited to high school graduates with “reliable” political backgrounds.

Limitations: The program is only one-quarter the size of the course twenty years ago. Young lamas must learn Tibetan from the beginning when they enroll.

Results: Despite the limitations, the school still produces lamas with basic knowledge to perform rituals.

Achieving Khambo Lama rank after graduation: Tsyden Dorjiev Budaev (1993); Damba Ayusheev (1995 to present).

registering with the government and therefore do not receive state protection.

Lama Dozhen Tarba and Ven. TN Giới Hương in front of statues of the Lama Patriarchs, venerated at Datsan Divajin Dugan, Buryatia. September 20, 2025

1. The Revival of Russian Buddhism in the Late Twentieth Century

Russian Buddhist studies: Formation of an independent science called Buddhology (Russian Buddhist Studies), separate from Sinology (Chinese Studies) and Indology (Indian Studies).

Leading Russian intellectuals, especially academics and aristocrats, had a great influence on the views and policies of the Tsarist government. The special relationship between Russian Buddhism and the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (later the Soviet Academy of Sciences) was established which clearly recorded and shaped the relationship between Buddhism and the Soviet state in the following years.

After the October Revolution (November 7, 1917), Buddhism in the Soviet Union was still basically treated with a certain respect, although it was not without problems in the chaotic context of the civil war.

1919: The USSR People’s Commissar for Education (equivalent to a minister), Professor Anatoly Vasileyvich Lunacharsky (1875-1933), directed the museum to open an exhibition of Buddhist art in August 1919.

Russian scientists played an instrumental role in this event with in-depth presentations:

Oldenburg: Presented the life of Buddha
Shtchebatsky: Spoke about Buddhist teachings
Vladimoztsov: Dealt with Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhism
Rosenberg: Analyzed the modern Buddhist worldview in the Far East

1921: The local government of Petrograd also responded to the request of Lama Agvan Dorzhiev to protect and rebuild the Buddhist monastery there.

Giorgy Visilievich Chicherin (1872-1936), a revolutionary aristocrat, was the official diplomatic representative of Tibet in Russia. This gave the Russian Buddhist leader a special and protected status.

1916: This region had a total of thirty-six temples, 16,000 lamas; this number increased rapidly. In the Trans Baikal Region, temples were built and many young men became lamas.²²

Lenin: During his leadership, Lenin also recognized and treated Buddhism through the Academy of Sciences’ self- examination. The relationship between Lenin and Academician Oldenburg also had a personal sentiment: Lenin’s brother, Aleksandr Ulyanov (executed by the Tsarist government in 1887 for criticizing and assassinating Tsar Alexander III), was a classmate of academician Oldenburg. Lenin assigned Academician Oldenburg the task of restoring the activities of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Tran Quang Thuan, Russian Buddhism (Hanoi: Religious Publishing House, 2008), 45.

1921: People’s Commissar for Education, Lunacharsky, who was also known for his studies of Buddhism, sent Shtchebatskoy to Europe to purchase reference books for the Russian Academy of Sciences. The relationship of Buddhist studies between the Russian Academy of Sciences and Western scholars developed further.

People’s Commissar for Education Lunacharsky also commented on Oldenburg (according to the Russian Wikipedia): “[Oldenburg] was one of the strongest and most necessary links between the Soviet Union and the world intelligentsia and acted in this role with respectable prominence.”

1924: Lenin died.

1929: Oldenburg resigned from his position as Secretary General of the USSR Academy of Sciences. That year, there were major personnel changes at the Academy of Sciences.

1929: Before resigning, Oldenburg had to work hard to get Shcherbatskoy’s complete Russian version of Buddhist Logic published.

1934: The USSR Academy of Sciences (renamed in 1925) moved to Moscow. During these times, the deaths of Oldenburg and Lunacharsky caused the tripartite relationship between Buddhism-Academy of Sciences-State to cease.

1929: The first Alar temple (built in 1814 in Irkutsk province) was closed.

1930: The idea of preserving at a minimum the collections of Buddhist art and libraries is only partially resolved. The entry for “Buddhism in Russia” on the Russian version of Wikipedia states: “For almost two decades, the study of Buddhism in Russia was completely stopped.”

1934: The Gunzechoinei Datsan in Leningrad (now St.

Petersburg) was closed.

1953: Stalin died and under General Secretary Khrushchev,

the view on Buddhism gradually changed. This happened in parallel with the revival of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. However, on the government side, there were still different opinions.

1957: The Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist scholar Yuri Roerich (1902-1960) returned to the Soviet Union to teach at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences. There, he gathered a group of Russian Buddhist scholars, including Aleksandr Moisevich Piatigorsky, Gerasimov Glagov, and Elizarenkova to revive Buddhism, but with only modest results.

A small part of the Buddhist library initiated by Oldenburg and Shtchebatskoy, including the Russian translation of the Dhammapada, was reprinted.

Tubten Shedrub Ling Datsan in Kyzyl, Tuva, largest in the Russian Federation. September 22, 2025.

Difficult to build: The opinion of Soviet diplomats that Soviet Buddhism could play a role in building relations with Buddhist countries of the third world such as Sri Lanka and Burma had some influence. However, according to the general Russian tradition, the voice of the Academy of Sciences still played a decisive role. This time, the key role belonged to Academician Valery Isaevich Rudoy (1940-2009).

1980: Rudoy’s Buddhist studies created a favorable atmosphere for Soviet Buddhism.

1989: The Oldenburg-Shcherbatskoy School was officially re-established in the Institute of Oriental Studies, part of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

The Diamond Sutra appears: At the Leningrad branch, the name of Evgeny Alekseevich Torchinov (1956-2003) emerged. This Buddhist scholar published translations of the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra.

1980 and 1990: The Buddhist-Academy-State relationship was re-established and the Soviet state began to recognize Buddhism as a wise and beneficial religion.

The final event in the transformation of the Soviet state’s attitude towards Buddhism was the restitution of the Gunzechoney Monastery in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1990.

1980: Buddhist institutions began to be rebuilt, religious texts were translated, and lamas were trained to teach and perform rituals.

International diplomacy: Russian Buddhism’s international relations with Tibet, India, Nepal, and other countries flourished again. Contacts with Buddhist centers outside Russia were re- established.

1988: The first Buddhist monasteries in Tuva and Kalmykia were registered.

1989-1990: Lama Kushok Bakula Rinpoche performed important ceremonies in Elista and St. Petersburg when the monasteries were returned to the Buddhist communities.

Current situation: More than 200 Buddhist organizations are active throughout the Russian Federation.²³

Diversity: In addition to Tibetan Buddhism, Russia has embraced other sects such as Theravada (southern Buddhism), Chinese Buddhism, Vietnamese Buddhism, and Japanese Zen Buddhism, with both registered and unregistered groups.

Modern Tibetan Buddhism in Russia is no longer dominated by Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect.

Diversification: The post-reform period saw the emergence of most other sects such as Nyingma (Yellow Hat) and Kagyu.

Kagyu development: The Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu trends appeared after the visit of Lama Tretsang Rinpoche (1995), established by Western students such as Lama Denis and Drigung Kagyu (one of the eight largest branches of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism of the Kagyu school).

Sakya presence: The Sakya sect was present in Moscow, Elista, and St. Petersburg after the visit of Lama Sakya Trizin (1996), head of the Tibetan Sakya school (wearing dark red robes and having long hair).

Lama Sakya Trizin²⁴

Nguyễn Văn Dũng, Overview of Buddhism in the Russian Federation (Khái quát về Phật giáo ở Liên bang Nga). https://btgcp.gov.vn/nghien-cuu- khoa-hoc-va-trao-doi-y-kien/Khai_quat_ve_Phat_giao_o_Lien_bang_Nga- postmrRXyBPaD6.html
His Holiness Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga, photograph, Wikimedia Commons,

Other trends: Buddhist sects outside the Tibetan tradition also began to operate in Russia.

Development trends: The esoteric Dzogchen (Great Perfection) trend was gaining popularity among the Russian intelligentsia and was the largest group among the new Buddhist organizations.

Centralization trends: Monasteries merged into large organizations:

Establishment of the Kalmykia Buddhist Union (1991) led by Telo Rinpoche.

More than 20 Kagyu monasteries merged into the Karma Buddhist Association.

1997: Establishment of the independent Khambo Lama Church of Tuva in Tuva.

Nuns: Ordination of Buddhist women as nuns began to show signs of improvement and were encouraged, although the Russian tradition did not have a prominent image of nuns like in Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea... many nuns in Buriyatia, Tuva and Kalmykia were ordained and went to Mongolia, India, or Tibet to study and train in rituals and precepts. This number is small.

1995: Datsan Zungon Darzhaling Nunnery is a Buddhist center for Russian nuns, located in the capital Ulan-Ude in the Democratic Republic of Buryatia under the suggestion and blessing of the 14th Dalai Lama. These nuns only keep five precepts, keep their hair, wear dark red robes when chanting and return to their families at night. Traditionally, there have not been nuns ordained as bhikshunis like the Northern tradition in Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Sakya_Trizin_ Ngawang_Kunga_2.jpg.

Ninh Hải (with blue scarf), Venerable TN Giới Hương (in saffron robe) with lamas of Zungun Darzhaling Pagoda, Ulan-Ude, Buryatia September 18, 2025

Challenges: The revival of Buddhism is supported by the local authorities of Buryatia, Kalmykia, and Tuva and is linked to the preservation of national culture. However, this process faces challenges.
Shortage of monks and nuns: Nearly 20,000 monks were lost in the previous Training funds are limited.
Training solutions to find talent: Dozens of lamas are being sent to study long-term at Tibetan Buddhist schools in India and Mongolia.
Lack of materials: Sutras and learning materials, especially in ethnic languages, are
Commercialization problems: Profiteering groups print esoteric books that cause misunderstandings and distort the image of Buddhism.
Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University in Buryatia faces barriers to development:
Lack of resources: Lack of funding, lack of highly qualified lecturers and lack of good Tibetan

Dependence on foreign teachers: Teaching is done by Tibetan teachers from India.
General situation: The Elista branch also has the same
Current situation: Tibetan teachers are now widely teaching in Buddhist areas of Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other religions in Russia lack senior clergy and Buddhism is overcoming this situation:
Improving human resources: Russia has a team of domestic teachers, no longer completely dependent on India and Mongolia.
Professional qualifications: Young monks are good at foreign languages, have deep knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, medicine, astrology, and
Political stance: His Holiness Damba Ayusheev Khambo, Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Church, denies political suspicions about foreign-trained He believes that deep practice will help lamas escape from political and material constraints.
Historic visit (1991): Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, made his first visit to Russia, receiving a grand welcome (roses strewn in Kalmykia, kneeling in Tuva) with 30,000 Buddhists.

1. Russian Buddhism

in the Twenty-First Century

Ratio of adherents: There are currently 3 million Russians of the Buddhist faith throughout the Russian Federation. The Federation hosts Buddhist communities from immigrant populations, including those from Vietnam, (Thao Duong Pagoda and Niem Phat Duong Moscow), Korea (Seoul), Sri Lanka, Burma, Myanmar (two small pagodas, two monks). In

Moscow there are ten monks, Buriatya has 500 monks and five nuns, Kalmykia has seventy monks, and Tuva has fifty monks.²⁵

Lama Dr. Bayashalan, Venerable TN Giới Hương and Mrs. Ninh Hải at Khambin Khure, Tsogchen Dugan, Buryatia.

September 19, 2025

Proportion of Buddhists by ethnicity:

Buryat: 20 percent of the population, or 2 million people, are Buddhists.

Kalmyk: 38 percent of the population. Tuva: 62 percent of the population.

1997: Buddhism was officially recognized as one of the four traditional religions of Russia, alongside ChristianOrthodoxy,

In an interview with author TN Gioi Huong on August 19, 2025 at his office (Barykovsky Pereueok, Dom 9, Moscow), His Holiness Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Russian Traditional Buddhism Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich said, “Currently, there are about 3 million Russians who belong to the Buddhist faith...”

Islam, and Judaism.²⁶

2017: According to statistics, the sangha includes more than eighty Buddhist communities across Russia. These centers not only engage in religious activities but also in the study and dissemination of Buddhism through Dharma talks, cultural events, painting classes, and art exhibitions.

2023: The new 183 foot-high, 12-story Tubten Shedrub Ling Buddhist temple was inaugurated in the capital city of Kyzyl, Tuva.

His Excellency D. B. Ayusheev, Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Sangha (second from left), Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (center), Did Khambo Lama, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Sangha (second from right). Photo taken August 24, 2009.²⁷

Evgenii Vlasov, Buddhism in the Russian Federation (Vice Rector for International Cooperation, Far Eastern Federal University, Russian Buddhism in the Russian Federation), https://tnti.vnu.edu.vn/phat-giao-tai-lien- bang-nga/.
Presidential Press and Information Office, Dmitry Medvedev in Buryatia, August 2009 (photograph), Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Dmitry_Medvedev_in_Buryatia_August_2009-1.jpg.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the centralized religious administration, Buddhism has been practiced along ethnic and national lines. The largest and most influential organization is the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, led by Supreme Patriarch Khambo Lama Damba Ayushev, who unifies monasteries across the Russian Federation. He is a member of the Council of Religious Affairs under the President of the Russian Federation.²⁸

Under the direction of the Russian Traditional Church, the three Buddhist republics (Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia) have been taking turns to organize the following scientific conferences on Buddhism:

2023: August 17-19, 2023 international conference in Buriyatia

2024: Program of the International Buddhist Forum, “Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges,” August 12-14, 2024 in Buriyatia

2025: “The Buddhist World in the New Millennium” (September 24-28, 2025) in Elista, Kalmykia

A large number of conference proceedings and documents on Buddhism have been published and films on the history of Buddhism have been made.

Buddhist organization of the Russian Federation:

Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev D. V., Vice-President of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Church and Head of the International Buddhist Diplomacy Committee, shared: “The Supreme Leadership of the Russian Federation consists of six members: a Supreme Patriarch, a Deputy Supreme Patriarch,

A. Ostrovskaya, Buddhism in Russia: History and Modernity (Saint Petersburg: Publisher unknown, 2009), 50.

Rustam Sabirov, “Buddhism in Russia: History and Modernity,” Buddhistdoor Global, November 4, 2019, https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/buddhism- in-russia-history-and-modernity/.

and four High Lamas in four places: Buryatia, the Trans-Baikal region, the Irkutska region, and St. Petersburg.”²⁹

The leadership election is held every four years at the Congress of Buddhist clergy and followers.

The All-Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha is headquartered at the Ivolginsky Datsan in the Buryat Republic and the Supreme Patriarch of the All-Russian Buddhist Sangha, the highest authority, is His Holiness Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, the head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia.³⁰

The Church has a central office in Moscow dedicated to foreign relations headed by His Excellency Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Sangha, and Head of the International Buddhist Diplomacy Committee.

Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev D. V. (Vice Patriarch of the Russian Traditional Buddhist Church and Head of the International Buddhist Diplomacy Committee) shared on October 6, 2025, when Venerable Giới Hương asked about the Supreme
Biography: His Holiness Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev is Damba Aiusheev, with the rank of Pandito Khambo

Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, born September 1, 1962, is a Russian Vajrayana Buddhist monk, the twenty-fourth Pandito Khambo Lama and the current head of the All-Russian Traditional Buddhist Church (2025).

Damba Aiusheev was born in 1962 in Trichinskaia Province. He graduated from the Pedagogical College and then worked as a primary school teacher. In 1983, he studied at Zanabazar Buddhist University in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, graduating in 1988 and specializing in traditional Tibetan medicine.

After graduating, Damba Aiusheev served as a guide for Russian students studying at the school for a year, then returned to his country to practice at the Ivolginski Monastery in Burytia. In 1991, he became the abbot of the Murotrinski Monastery.

On April 28, 1995, Ayusheev was elected the twenty-fourth Khambo Lama and Supreme Patriarch of the All-Russian Traditional Buddhist Church.

LEADERS OF THE THREE BUDDHIST REPUBLICS:

Buryatia: Lama Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev is the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist Sangha of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Patriarch of the Buryatia
Tuva: His Holiness Natsyk Dorju (Sergek Olegovich Saryglar, Supreme Lama of the Tuva Republic) and abbot of the Tubten Shedrub Ling Datsan in

His Holiness Natsyk Dorju, the ninth Kamby Lama, the highest lama of the Buddhist Republic of Tuva³¹

Supreme Lama Geshe Tenzin Choidak (leader of Kalmyk Buddhism) presents Kalmyk language scriptures to Venerable Nun TN Giới Hương. September 25, 2025

He was re-elected in 2023 and will continue in this role until 2028.

Kalmykia: His Holiness Geshe Tezin Choidak (High Lama of the Republic of Kalmykia), abbot of Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Datsan (Kalmykia)

REPULIC OF ALTAI:

Altai: (Russian: Респу́блика Алта́й) is a republic in western Siberia, part of the Russian Federation. They speak a Turkic language and follow the Burkhan tradition.

Statistics: Altai (area: 35868.891 sq. miles, population: 210,700) has a diverse landscape, including steppes and coniferous forests (taiga). Since the Soviet era, the region has been popular for canoeing, kayaking, mountain climbing, horse riding, fishing, and hunting. This mountainous Altai Republic, bordering China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, boasts vast tracts of nature reserves and imported Buddhist influence.

The rolling hills of Altai in autumn. September 29, 2025

Buddhism in Altai is part of central Asian Buddhism, influenced by developments along the Silk Road. Since Altai is located on the border between China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Russia, there are schools of Buddhism, Mahayana, along with indigenous shamanism and Orthodoxy (Christianity).

Central Asian Buddhism: The Altai region was located on important trade routes, where merchants and monks spread Buddhism.

Religious diversity: As Altai is a cultural and geographical crossroads, Buddhism coexisted with indigenous religions and later Russian Orthodoxy.

Historical influence: Buddhist relics and culture can be found in the region, showing the profound influence of this religion in history.

CONCLUSION:

History: Russian Buddhism has gone through 400 years of ups and downs and still has outstanding issues.

Traditional religion: Buddhism is one of the four traditional religions officially recognized in Russia, along with Orthodoxy, Islam, and Judaism. Buddhism has a long history and diverse development in Russia, recognized by Russian law (1997 law)³² as one of the traditional religions, constituting the historical heritages of the country.

Russian Buddhist Traditional Church: The largest Buddhist organization and plays a central role in Buddhist activities in Russia, unifying monasteries across the country.

Ostrovskaya A, Russian Buddhism: Collection on Buddhism in Russia—

History and Modernity, St. Petersburg 2009, 50.

Rustam Sabirov, “Buddhism in Russia: History and Modernity,” Buddhistdoor Global, November 4, 2019, https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/buddhism- in-russia-history-and-modernity

Legal status: Buddhism is a traditional religion and has an important place in the spiritual life of the Russian people, especially in minority regions.

Principal regions: The center of Russian Buddhism is concentrated in the “sacred triangle” consisting of three republics: Buryatia, Kalmykia, and Tuva. Notably, Kalmykia is the only Buddhist republic in Europe.

The process of revival and development of Buddhism has been going on strongly over time. New Buddhist centers (esoteric, Zen, Pure Land... ) and Buddhist communities have appeared not only in traditional republics but also in other major cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Altai, Chita Vladivostok, Irkusk, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, and Ulyanaovsk.

Main schools of Russian Buddhism: In Russia, Buddhism is represented by the Vajrayana tradition and the Gelugpa school, both introduced from Mongolia and Tibet. In addition, there are also temples that practice Pure Land and Zen Buddhism, especially with immigrants from Vietnam, Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma.

Trends:

Education: Buddhist universities and academies, such as Dashi Choinkhorlin Buddhist University in Buryatia, were established to train lamas and monks and to support the study of Buddhism.

Immigrant communities: The Vietnamese, Korean, and Burmese communities in Russia also maintain their own Buddhist activities, establishing temples to meet the spiritual needs of their members.

In the first decade of the twenty-first century, the trend of increasing dialogue to move towards closer cooperation—even alliance—between state and traditional religions (including Buddhism) grew significantly.

President Putin’s administration has also pursued clear protectionist policies towards Orthodoxy, Islam, and Buddhism and the State has even provided financial support for religious activities.

However, the Russian government always wants to minimize any external interference in internal religious affairs as well as the influence of foreign policies, especially in Russia-China relations, so the Dalai Lama’s support for Russian Buddhism will also face obstacles.

In Russia, there is the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, headed by His Holiness Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Traditional Sangha, headquartered at the Ivolginsky Datsan (Buryatia), under the control of the Putin government. However, there are a number of free temples that are not registered with the government and are not part of the Russian Traditional Sangha. In short, Russian Buddhism still faces difficulties in the present and future.

Elista Buddhist Museum in Kalmykia, where there are beautiful Buddha statues. September 25, 2025

Through the difficulties of history, Buddhism in the Russian Federation accounts for approximately 1 percent of the population, indicating that Buddhism has not yet established a strong position in Russian society. Unlike in Eastern Buddhist countries, Buddhism in Russia has never been a major religion due to the absolute power of Orthodoxy. However, Buddhism is increasingly being considered less a religion of ethnic minorities and is increasingly asserting itself as a religion for free intellectuals, with certain developments.

Russian Buddhism combines long-standing traditions in some regions with the dynamic development of modern Buddhist communities throughout the country. Buddhism is gradually moving towards modernization and Westernization to become more suitable and accessible to the local people and to develop in a positive direction for the benefit and happiness of the entire Russian Federation.

***

Chapter 3

BUDDHISM IN MOSCOW

Moscow, the Capital of Russia
Buddhism in Moscow
Buddhist Temples in Moscow

Tubden Shedubling, the First Temple in Moscow
Grassland Temple (Thảo Đường Temple)
Moscow Buddhist Temple
Korean Kwan Um Zen School-Korean Zen Buddhist Center
Padmasambhava Buddhist Center-Padma Samye Ling
Dzogchen Shri Singha Dharma Center Moscow
Moscow Buddhist Center
Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shrina Moscow
Dhamma Dullabha Vipassana Meditation Center
Buddhist Center of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha
Office of His Holiness the Vice Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha, Did Khambo Lama S. D. Vladimirovich

Nicholas Roerich Buddhist Museum
Addresses of Buddhist Centers in Moscow

***

1. Moscow, the Capital of Russia

oscow (Vietnamese: Mạc Tư khoa) is the capital, the heart of the Russian Federation and at the same

time the political, cultural, economic, scientific, and educational center of the entire Russian Federation, including eighty-five subjects (republics, provinces, regions...)³³ and 185 ethnic groups³⁴ (Russian East Slavs, Tatar, Sami, Bashkir, Chuvash,

The Russian Federation consists of eighty-five federal subjects (after the annexation of Crimea in 2014), including twenty-two republics, nine regions, forty-six provinces, three federal cities, one autonomous region, and four autonomous regions. Russian Federation, Tư liệu Văn kiện Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam, accessed December 31, 2025, https://tulieuvankien.dangcongsan. vn/ho-so-su-kien-nhan-chung/cac-nuoc-vung-lanh-tho/chau-au/lien-bang-nga- russian-federation-147.
Russia is a multi-ethnic country with 185 ethnic groups; the population of different ethnic groups varies greatly, from millions (Russians, Tatars) to less than 10,000 (Sami). The ethnic composition of Russia is very Russians account for 81.53 percent of the total population, Tatars 3.76 percent, Ukrainians

2.97 percent, Chuvash 1.21 percent, Bashkirs 0.92 percent, Belarusians 0.82 percent, Moldovans 0.73 percent, Chechens 0.61 percent, Germans 0.57 percent and others. Among the eighty-five subjects that make up the Russian Federation, there are twenty-one ethnic minority regions, five autonomous regions and one autonomous region (mainly ethnic minorities).

Nguyễn Đức Kha, “The Experience of the Russian Federation in Responding to Non-Traditional Security Challenges in Ethnic Minority Regions,” Tạp chí Cộng sản, accessed December 31, 2025, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/ web/guest/the-gioi-van-de-su-kien/-/2018/819649/kinh-nghiem-cua-lien-bang- nga-trong-ung-pho--voi-cac-thach-thuc-an-ninh-phi-truyen-thong-vung-dan- toc-thieu-so.aspx

Chechen...)

History of formation: The history of Moscow is linked to the name of Prince Iuri Dolgoruki (also known as Prince of the Long Arm). He was the son of Prince Vladimir Monomakh, who ruled the Suxdal Principality and expanded its territory to the banks of the Moskva River.

Moscow on the map of the Russian Federation³⁵

Year 1147: His son, Iuri Dolgoruki, is credited with renaming the village of Kutskovo on the banks of the Moskva River to Moskva (Moscow). Therefore, 1147 is considered the official founding year of the city.

Buddhism in Moscow has a history of development since the early twentieth century, with the notable event being the 1927 Congress of Soviet Buddhists chaired by Lama Agvan Dorzhiev and researcher Nikolai Konstantinovich Rerikh. This conference

Ezilon Maps. “Political Map of Russia.” © 2015 Ezilon.com Regional Accessed December 31, 2025. https://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/ europe/political-map-of-Russia.gif

contributed to popularizing the idea of compatibility between Buddhism and communism and affirmed the international

orientation of Russian Buddhism.

Moscow is a city with a long history of formation and development, with a rich history clearly shown through architectural works, historical relics, and famous cultural sites.

Geographical location: Today, Moscow is located on the banks of the Moskva River in the Central Russia region (the European part of Russia). The city lies between the basins of two large rivers, the Volga and the Oka, with an area of 989 square miles.

St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow³⁶

David Crawshaw, Basil’s Cathedral, photograph, 500px, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_

Demographics and religion: Moscow’s population is currently12.6 million, including 3 million temporary immigrants. Moscow is a multi-religious city, but most of its population is Orthodox Christian or Orthodox³⁷ and three other religions: Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism. The main church in the city is the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The city used to have 800 churches, but during the Soviet era, 400 were destroyed.

Author TN Giới Hương and tour guide Laura at Lomonosov State University (built in 1775) with more than 5,000 classrooms, where talented people from around the world have been trained. August 11, 2025

Culture: Moscow is a major cultural center with more than 180 museums and over 100 theaters. Many world-renowned cultural institutions are based here, including the State Historical Museum of Russia (Государственный исторический музей)

Basils_Cathedral-500px.jpg

Orthodoxy is an important branch of Christianity, also known as the Eastern Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy has a long history, having split from the Roman Catholic Church after the Great East-West Schism in

and the Tretyakov Gallery (Государственная Третьяковская галерея), famous for its collection of Russian art.

Science and education: Moscow is Russia’s largest center of science and education, hosting approximately sixty-six universities and over 200 research institutes affiliated with bodies like the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The largest and most famous educational institution is Lomonosov Moscow State University (Московский Государственный Университет имени М.V.Ломоносова, abbreviated: MGU).³⁸

Climate: Moscow’s climate has a clear difference between winter and summer.

Summer: Average temperatures range from 66.2° F to 75.2°

The highest temperature ever recorded was 98.2°F.

Winters in Moscow are dry, with January and February being the coldest months, with average temperatures dropping to 77° F.

Transportation: Moscow’s transport system is well developed and varied.

The city has four major international airports: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky.

Rail: There are nine main train stations connecting Moscow with other Russian and European cities.

Ground transportation: Cars are a popular means of transport (on average, one in three people own a car). In addition, the public transport system is developed with buses, trams, and trolleybuses.

Metro: The Moscow Metro system is a source of pride for Russians. Not only is it an efficient means of transport, but

Moscow-Interesting Facts, World Collection Paprichi, https://www.paprichi. vn/blogs/van-hoa/matxcova-va-nhung-thong-tin-thu-vi (accessed December 31, 2025).

the stations are also famous for their beautiful architecture, decorated with murals and mosaics of great artistic value.

Highlights: Those who have been to Moscow will certainly not forget the world-famous sights of Russia such as the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the beautiful wooden Kolomenski Palace, the eighteenth-century Kuskovo mansion of Count Sheremetievs, the GUM shopping center, the Moscow skyscrapers (like the commercial districts of London and New York), the Arbat pedestrian street, the massive national museums, and the magnificent metro system with thousands of historical buildings of outstanding architecture, art, and a culture that is unique in the world.

2. Buddhism in Moscow

Although Russia is not traditionally a Buddhist country— unlike the republics of Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva— Moscow is home to a diverse and active Buddhist community that includes lamas, monks, and lay practitioners from multiple traditions, along with numerous temples and ashrams.

Buddhism has existed in Russia for a long time and has developed diversely over time, especially in the Buddhist republics of Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva.

Buddhism in Russia: Buddhism was introduced to Russia in the seventeenth century and has grown steadily, with major sects such as Tibetan Buddhism (Tantric Buddhism), Theravada Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and Pure Land Buddhism.

Buddhist activities: Practices in Moscow include Dharma talks, meditation, chanting, offerings, and charitable activities, helping to spread the spirit of compassion and wisdom of Buddhism to the community.

The development and presence of Buddhism in Moscow contributes to making the capital of a powerful Russian Federation even more powerful in terms of its long history and cultural diversity.

3. Buddhist Temples in Moscow

Choosing Moscow as a place to live has many advantages as it is the leading economic, educational, and cultural center of Russia, harmoniously combining the ancient features with the modern and dynamic. This explains why immigrants often choose this city as a destination to settle, study, work or do business.

The primary reasons to consider living in Moscow include: Employment opportunities and economic development:

As the capital and economic center, Moscow is home to large corporations, businesses, banks, and abundant employment opportunities, making it one of the best cities in Russia to develop a career.

Quality of education: The city has leading national research universities, attracting domestic and international students, providing high-quality educational opportunities.

Diverse cultural and entertainment life: Moscow has a history of over 800 years, with cultural sites, unique architecture (such as Red Square), green parks (Gorky Park), and a vibrant nightlife.

Modern infrastructure: The city has an efficient public transport system, especially the world-famous metro system, which makes getting around easy.

Comprehensive living environment: The city government strives to provide everything necessary for comfortable living and the development of the talents of its people.

Due to the large number of immigrants, the spiritual needs have also increased, leading to the emergence of diverse religious establishments.

Buddhism: Buddhist communities from different countries and regions have established places of practice, for example: Tubden Shedubling Temple (Buryati Republic, Russia), Thao Duong Temple (run by the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam in Europe), Moscow Buddhist Recitation Hall (part of the Incentra Hanoi-Moscow Cultural and Commercial Center, headed by Dharma friend Linh Quang Phap), Kwan Um Quan Am Meditation Center (Korea, Seoul), Myanmar Vipassana Meditation Center (S.N. Goenka), Padmasambhava Buddhist Center-Padma Samye Ling, and other Moscow meditation centers led by Tibetan lamas.

In general, Moscow is an attractive choice for those who seek dynamism, career development opportunities and wish to experience a rich and diverse culture, as His Holiness the Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Traditional Buddhism Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich³⁹ shared: “There are many Buddhist immigrant countries in the Russian Federation such as Vietnam (Thao Duong Pagoda and Niem Phat Duong Moscow), Korea (Seoul), Sri Lanka, Burma, Myanmar (two small pagodas, two monks)... In Moscow, there are ten monks, Buriatya has 500 monks and five nuns; Kalmykia has seventy monks and Tuva has fifty. In particular, a magnificent large monastery is being built by the Russian Buddhist Traditional Church in Moscow along with other Buddhist establishments belonging to Tibetan lamas.

3.1. Tubden Shedubling Datsan, the First Temple in Moscow

Address: Novovladykinskiy Proyezd, вл. 15, Moscow, Russia, 127273

His Holiness the Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Russian Traditional Buddhism Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich shared information in an interview with author TN Gioi Huong on August 19, 2025 at his office (Barykovsky Pereueok, Dom 9, Moscow).

Phone: +7 916 673-00-06

Website: https://www.mantra.ru.

Tubden Shedubling Datsan. August 18, 2025

Located in the Otradnoye district, Tubden Shedubling (built in 2000), a Karma Kagyu Vajrayana Buddhist monastery, is the first Buddhist temple in Moscow, a region famous for its Orthodox churches. The Tubden Shedubling sect has more than 100 branches across Russia and regularly organizes retreats, seminars on meditation, and Buddhist art for the public.

The Moscow Buddhist Society initiated and played a key role in the construction of the first Buddhist complex, Tubden Shedubling in Moscow, led by architects Teryoshkin P.G., Ryazanov N., and Arzhayeva V.D.⁴⁰ This project received wide support from the Moscow authorities, the office of the President of the Russian Federation, State Duma Deputy Iosif Davydovich Kobzon, as well as the consensus of residents of Otradnoye district.

Tubden Shedubling,” Wikipedia, last modified April 1, 2025, https:// wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubden_Shedubling

Tubden Shedubling Temple main hall. August 18, 2025

Located in Otrada Park, the temple is part of a spiritual and educational complex of traditional religions, as well as an existing Orthodox church, a mosque, and a synagogue. This in turn, reflects the diversity of the four traditional religions recognized by Russian law (Law 1997): Christian Orthodoxy, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.⁴¹

Name and meaning: During his visit to the Republic of Kalmykia in November 2004, Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, bestowed upon the temple the name “Tubden Shedubling,” which means “Garden for the Study of Buddhist Philosophy and Ethics.” ⁴² He stressed that the temple should become a gathering place for all Buddhist sects, creating a space for study and practice.

Although Moscow is not a traditionally Buddhist region like the republics of Burytia, Tuva, and Kalmykia, His Holiness

A. Ostrovskaya, Collection of Works about Buddhism: Vajrayana

Buddhism in Russia: History and Modernity Saint Petersburg 2009. 50.

The First Buddhist temple in Moscow: https://moscowbuddhatemple.ru/en/ first-buddhist-temple-with-a-stupa-in-moscow

the Dalai Lama asserted that it is completely logical to build a Buddhist center or temple in the Russian Federation’s capital, Moscow, as Buddhism is one of the important religions in the country, which will welcome local Buddhist communities as well as visitors from other regions and countries, which he considered “completely natural.”

A chanting text at Tubden Shedubling Temple. August 18, 2025

His Holiness sees the construction of Tubden Shedubling Temple as a “great undertaking” of tremendous significance because it will be a place where different Buddhist traditions—

Theravada, Vajrayana, and Zen—are harmoniously combined in the same Tubden Shedubling center. This speaks to the spirit of unity and non-sectarianism in Buddhism.

His message serves as an encouragement and guide for the Tubden Shedubling Buddhist Center project, promoting harmony and coexistence among different Buddhist traditions. This message clearly defines the objectives of Tubden Shedubling beyond the narrow framework.

Dual function: The temple must function as a center of learning and education, where Buddhist knowledge and philosophy are taught in depth.

Integration and interfaith dialogue: Temple promotes openness and welcomes all people of different faiths (Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim).

The importance of mutual understanding: The goal is to promote harmony between peoples and religions through understanding and respect for each other’s traditions, seeing this as an essential need in the modern world.

Photos of Tubden Shedubling

Tam Quan Gate

Ven. TN Giới Hương offers gifts to Venerable Haapta, whose name means “Happiness.” August 18, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Lan Huong paying respects at the Bell Tower and the White Mandala Stupa. August 18, 2025

3.2. Thảo Đường Temple–Grassland Temple

Chùa Thảo Đường Moscow, Nga Abbess: Ni sư Tuệ Đàm Hương

Address: Moscow Region, Cottage Village Marusin Lug,

Urban District Lyubertsy, Village Marusino. Dom 14, Moscow, Nga

Phone: +7 964 530 34-56; +7 968 467 19-70; +45 31 60 13 68

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Facebook: Chùa Thảo Đường Moskva

a. The Origin of the Thao Duong Buddhist Association and Thao Duong Pagoda

In 1991, a World Religious Conference was held in Moscow, Russia.

Representing the European delegation was the late Venerable Thich Minh Tam, Abbot of Khanh Anh Pagoda in France. On the American side, the late Venerable Thich Tri Chon and Venerable Thich Minh Tuyen also attended this conference.

At that time, the Vietnamese community in Russia was large and diverse. Most of them were students from Northern Vietnam who came to study abroad. After graduating, many did not return home but stayed to do business, trade, marry Russians or seek political asylum. This community was strong, not only in Moscow, but also throughout the Russian Federation.

Also at this congress in Russia, there were two Vietnamese who participated: Mr. Nguyen Minh Can and Mrs. Inna (a Russian who studied abroad since 1958, specializing in Vietnamese studies). Both came to consult the late Venerable Thich Minh Tam about organizing the Thao Duong Buddhist Association and buying land to establish Thao Duong Pagoda in Russia.⁴³

On Tet and the full moon of January 1994, Mr. Nguyen Minh Can and Mrs. Inna were present at Vien Giac Pagoda in Hanover, Germany, to ask Venerable Thich Nhu Dien to perform the Three Jewels Refuge ceremony. Mr. Can was given the Dharma name Thien Man and Mrs. Inna was named Thien Xuan.

Since this event, Venerable Thich Minh Tam and Venerable Thich Nhu Dien have become the two spiritual leaders of Thao Duong Buddhist Association and Thao Duong Pagoda, maintaining this role from 1994 to the present.

The Most Ven. Thich Minh Tam and The Most Ven. Thich Nhu Dien⁴⁴

Venerable Thich Nhu Dien and Venerable Tue Dam Huong, Document/ Deed of Appointment of the Abbot (or Head) of Chùa Thảo Đường, Moscow, Russian Federation. This relates to the history of the founding of Thao Duong Pagoda, Moscow. November 18, 2016. (Hòa thượng Thích Như Điển và Ni sư TN Tuệ Đàm Hương, Lịch sử về sự thành lập Chùa Thảo Đường, Ngày 18 tháng 11 năm 2016). https://quangduc.com/a61444/lich-su-ve-su-thanh-lap- chua-thao-duong
“The small temple in January ””Photograph. In “Tubden Shedubling,” Wikipedia. Last modified April 1, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubden_

During his time in the Soviet Union, Buddhist monk Thien Man Nguyen Minh Can worked as an editor and translator for Tien Bo Publishing House from 1965 until his retirement in 1990. During his twenty-five years working for the publishing house, he translated and edited 130 books by famous writers, journalists, and politicians from the Soviet Union and other parts of the world into Vietnamese.⁴⁵ Although she is Russian, Inna Thien Xuan speaks Vietnamese very well. She once studied in Vietnam and completed her master’s thesis in French and Vietnamese on the topic of Vietnamese agriculture. After graduating, she returned to Russia and taught at a Russian university of international relations. The two of them (Thien Man and Thien Xuan) compiled a Russian-Vietnamese dictionary with hundreds of thousands of words, an extremely necessary document for generations of Vietnamese students, both in and outside of Russia.

In addition, fellow Buddhist Inna Thien Xuan was deeply influenced by the thoughts of the great writer Leo Tolstoy. She painstakingly studied the Buddhist thoughts of Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy and explored the value of Eastern Buddhism from different perspectives. She chose Vietnamese Buddhism as a support for her spiritual life in her old age. She was the one who proposed the name “Thao Duong” to name the pagoda in Moscow, with two purposes:

Thao Duong is to honor the Vietnamese Zen master, the third Patriarch of the Thao Duong Zen sect in the eleventh century during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong (1054-1072).
Thao Duong is to evoke the image of a simple thatched hut where monks practice, a spiritual refuge for Vietnamese Buddhists living abroad.

Shedubling

“Nguyễn Minh Cần (December 31, 1928-May 13, 2016),” Wikipedia, last modified December 31, 2025, https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/nguyen-minh-can.

b. The first two founders of Thao Duong Buddhist Association and Thao Duong Pagoda

During the first difficult years, twice a month (on the fifteenth and first of the lunar month), fellow practitioner Inna Thien Xuan traveled alone for dozens of miles by public transport. On her shoulder was a thirty-three pound bronze Buddha statue, borrowed from the Russian Buddhist Association to bring back to the place of practice.

At the same time, fellow practitioner Nguyen Minh Can Thien Man was no less tired, carrying a backpack containing carpets on his shoulder and a bag of altar decorations in his hand, the total weight of which was not less than thirty-three pounds, walking silently from his home to the location of the Buddhist ceremony. In a situation of extreme poverty, fellow practitioners Thien Man and Thien Xuan took advantage of all the most precious and beautiful things in their home—from carpets, flowers, vases, cups, bowls—to decorate the altar. It can be said that the two fellow practitioners poured their hearts and minds into the common work of the association, sharing joys and sorrows, living and dying together with the development of Dharma in a foreign land.

Right from the early days of its establishment, when the Grassland Buddhist Association in Moscow did not have a stable place to practice—it still had to rent a place for Buddhists to chant and pray and was lacking in financial resources. Fellow practitioner Inna Thien Xuan planted in the hearts of each member a big dream: to build a Buddhist temple right in the heart of Moscow, Russia.

The Russian Federation, with a population of over 146 million people,⁴⁶ recognize Buddhism as one of the four major

46According to Trading Economics forecast: Russia’s population is expected to reach 146.10 million people by the end of 2025.

religious traditions⁴⁷ and there are three republics (Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia) that consider Buddhism as the state religion. However, for centuries, Moscow, a capital with the most artistic and cultural background in the world, did not have an official Buddhist temple. The Kuntsechoinei Datsan Quan Am temple in Saint Petersburg, built in 1908, is the first and oldest temple in Russia in particular and in the West in general. This highlights the immense difficulty involved in establishing a temple in the Russian capital.

With great determination, Ms. Inna Thien Xuan devoted considerable effort going to all the government agencies to apply for land. She studied construction laws, researched materials and carefully surveyed the design of Buddhist temples to design a two-story pagoda herself. This design both preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and perfectly adapted to Russia’s harsh climate. She also meticulously used candy boxes to make a model of the beautiful, solemn future pagoda and shared that she lived with the dream every day.

Despite their best efforts in getting permission and land from the city government, the association gradually realized that this was almost impossible to achieve. The dream of a pagoda remained a dream. However, “Dreams have a greater power and magic than people think; they mold the minds of each person, to turn their burning desires into reality.”⁴⁸

Buddhism is one of the four officially recognized traditional religions in Russia, along with Orthodoxy, Islam, and Buddhism has a long history and diverse development on the territory of Russia and is recognized by Russian law (law of 1997) as a traditional religion, constituting the “historical heritage” of the country.

Ostrovskaya E.A., Collection of works about Buddhism: Vajrayana Buddhism

in Russia: History and Modernity, Saint Petersburg 2009, p. 50.

Venerable Thich Nhu Dien and Venerable Tue Dam Huong, History of the founding of Thao Duong Pagoda, Moscow. November 18, 2016. Hòa thượng Thích Như Điển và Ni sư TN Tuệ Đàm Hương, Lịch sử về sự thành lập Chùa Thảo Đường, Moscow. Ngày 18 tháng 11 năm 2016. https://quangduc.com/ a61444/lich-su-ve-su-thanh-lap-chua-thao-duong

In August 2011, in a small town in Austria, during the twenty-third European Buddhist Retreat, a groundbreaking idea suddenly appeared: Buying land in the suburbs of Moscow to build a temple. Here, a Buddhist pledged to donate $20,000 (US dollars) to buy the land and lend another $100,000 (US dollars) without interest for construction.

These heartfelt promises ignited a long-cherished dream into a great fire, warming the hearts that were anxiously waiting. As soon as they returned to Moscow and shared this information with fellow practitioners in the Thao Duong Association, everyone was extremely eager to start looking for land to build the pagoda. This was a great opportunity—the beginning of the formation of Thao Duong Pagoda.

Thao Duong Pagoda set up an altar for the two founders of Thao Duong Pagoda, Mr. Thien Man (Nguyen Minh Can, who passed away on May 13, 2016) and Mrs. Thien Xuan (Inna Malkhanova, who passed away on May 18, 2019)

c. Merits of European monks and Buddhists who Contributed

With the blessings of the Three Jewels and the deep love for the pagoda that has been nurtured over the years, the monks and nuns in Europe and the Buddhists who are attached to the pagoda have overcome all difficulties and obstacles together, contributing brick by brick to build Thao Duong Pagoda in this beloved Moscow.

The pagoda officially held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 25, 2013. Forty people solemnly laid the first forty bricks on this land, creating a solid foundation for Thao Duong Pagoda.

Then, on April 16, 2014, under the witness of Most Venerable Abbot Thich Nhu Dien and Venerable Thich Hanh Gioi (Abbot of Vien Giac Pagoda, Germany), Buddhists of Thao Duong Pagoda solemnly held a groundbreaking ceremony to begin building the pagoda.

The most difficult problem during the construction process was how to have enough funds to pay workers and buy materials. However, thanks to the solidarity and dedication of the venerable monks and nuns, Buddhists from around the world, Pham Duc Chinh (the association’s first president), and all members of the association who generously contributed their time, financial support, and even lent money to the temple interest-free, the project was made possible. Every time there was a retreat or an opportunity to visit temples in Europe, the venerable monks and Buddhists wholeheartedly supported the construction of Thao Duong Temple in Moscow.

It can be said that Thao Duong Pagoda is the embodiment of boundless love, surpassing all political or class barriers, of Buddhists. This fully embodies the true spirit of the name “Thao Duong,” which the two Buddhists, Thien Xuan and Thien Man, established as the foundation of the association from its very beginning.

After a year of construction, with a total cost of $350,000 (US dollars), on March 1, 2015, Thao Duong Pagoda officially moved to a new location for activities. On the first Buddhist festival day, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in 2015, 200 Buddhists gathered here to attend the ceremony.

Since May 2016, the pagoda has begun to complete the construction of this temple.

Another important event took place on October 26, 2016: All Buddhists of Thao Duong pagoda knelt and respectfully offered their prayers to donate Thao Duong pagoda to the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam in Europe to manage.

On October 28, 2016, the European Church accepted the request of all Buddhists and elected Venerable Tue Dam Huong as the first abbot of Thao Duong Pagoda, a position he holds to this day.

Ten years have passed (2016 to 2026) and the abbess and Buddhists of Thao Duong Pagoda have been building and working tirelessly day by day to perfect the pagoda, making it more and more perfect and solemn, just like the beautiful and burning dream of all those who have longed for a Buddhist pagoda in the heart of Moscow.

d. Russian Works

Thien Xuan has written a book, Under the Shadow of Compassion, along with research articles on Buddhism, which have shown her deep devotion to the Dharma.

Presently, the book Thien Mon Nhat Tung, is being translated from German into Russian. Similarly, the work Buddhism and Humanity, written by Venerable Thich Nhu Dien in Vietnamese, has been translated into German by Master Hanh Gioi, and this German version is also being translated into Russian.

In particular, the Ksitigarbha Sutra was translated into Russian by Buddhists Thien Man and Thien Xuan long ago and is currently being chanted by Russian Buddhists during funerals or prayers for the deceased.⁴⁹

These are encouraging signs of the spread of Buddhist religion and culture. Through these activities, Buddhism, especially Vietnamese Buddhism, has begun to take root and penetrate deeply into the subconscious of Buddhists in the Russian Federation.

e. Thao Duong Pagoda Today

Thao Duong Pagoda today has a lively and rich schedule of activities, serving Buddhists of all ages from the elderly and middle-aged to children.

Every weekend, on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month on the anniversary of Quan Am, fifty to seventy diligent Buddhists come to the pagoda to chant sutras, meditate, recite precepts, listen to the Dharma, repent (usually from 4 pm to 9 pm);⁵⁰ receive the eight precepts (for 24 hours), and release birds and fish twice a month. On major festivals such as Lunar New Year, Buddha’s Birthday, Vu Lan 300-400 Buddhists come to practice. Every year, the pagoda organizes a summer retreat for teenagers (300-400 children register), a Mid-Autumn Festival where 200 children carry lanterns and compete in Buddhist quizzes.

The daily schedule of the permanent monastic community (Abbess Ven. Tue Dam Huong, novice nun Nhuan Phuong and apprentice Nhuan Thu) is as follows:

5 am: Bell ringing, meditation

5:30 am: Recite the Surya-Yang Sutra

Venerable Thich Nhu Dien and Venerable Tue Dam Huong, History of the Founding of Thao Duong Pagoda, Moscow. November 18, 2016. https:// com/a61444/lich-su-ve-su-thanh-lap-chua-thao-duong
Temple events are usually held in the late afternoon and evening, from 4 pm to 9 pm to accommodate Buddhists who work or run businesses in the

8 am: Breakfast

8-10 am: Work

10 am: Midday offering 12 pm: Receive the meal

3 pm: Offer food to Mong Son 7 pm: Recite sutras, meditation 9 am: Tranquility

Thao Duong Pagoda has welcomed venerables from Europe, Australia, the United States, Vietnam, Tibet, and other countries to stop at the pagoda and teach the Dharma in Moscow and throughout the Russian Federation.

f. Photos of Thao Duong Pagoda’s activities in 2025

From right: Vice President of Russian Buddhist Sangha Did Khambo Lama S. D. Vladimirovich, Most Venerable T. Hạnh Tấn and Ven. TN. Tuệ Đàm Hương with Buddhists on Vu Lan Festival of Thao Duong Pagoda. September 6, 2025.

The entire hall of Vu Lan Hieu Ceremony. September 6, 2025

Ven. TN Tuệ Đàm Hương (center left) and Ven. TN Giới Hương (right) with Buddhists of Thao Duong Pagoda.

August 19, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương (center), Ven. Tuệ Đàm Hương (left), Novice Nhuan Phuong (right) with Buddhists at Thao Duong Pagoda on the evening of August 19, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Buddhists of Thao Duong Pagoda meditating. August 20, 2025

View of Thao Duong Pagoda on the day of reciting precepts.

Sunday, August 20, 2025

Main hall of Thao Duong Pagoda. August 20, 2025

With children during the Mid-Autumn Festival at Thao Duong Pagoda. October 4, 2025

Dining room. October 4, 2025

3.3. Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center

Address: 146/2 Yaroslavskoye, Moscow, Russia.

Practice guide: Venerable Elder Bhante Bao Tam and Nuns of Tay Thien Pagoda, Phu Tho

President: Dharma friend Linh, Dharma name Quang Phap Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiemPhatDuong

MatxcovaLienBangNga

Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center

Author Ven. TN Giới Hương standing in front of the Hanoi- Moscow Cultural, Trading and Hotel Centre. August 18, 2025

The Vietnamese community across Russia has a rich religious life, imbued with national identity, with honoring ancestor rituals and spiritual activities of profound significance, helping to connect the community and preserve traditional Vietnamese culture. According to statistics from the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese,⁵¹ the Vietnamese community in Russia currently has more than 100,000 people, concentrated in Moscow and major cities.

To meet the spiritual needs and provide meaningful religious activities to the community, in 2010, devout Buddhists came together to establish the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center.

The Hanoi-Moscow Cultural, Trading and Hotel Centre is a twenty-two-story multifunctional complex in Moscow, operated by Incentra LLC. Ranking as the twenty-first tallest building in the city, the complex covers an area of over 10,000 square feet and accommodates around 500 people. Incentra has been a strong supporter of Buddhism and has therefore established a Buddhist temple within the complex. The temple includes a main hall, ancestral hall, the altar of the Holy Mother Hong Phuc Linh Tu, the Hung King altar, guest rooms for monks, a study room, a dining hall, and an area for preparing offerings to serve the community’s beliefs.

Fellow Buddhist Linh (Buddhist name Quang Phap) is the head of the Tam Bao Protection Committee, Quang Nguyen (Deputy Head) and other members of the management board oversee operating the Buddhist Recitation Hall under the spiritual advice of Venerable Nun TN Bao Tam and the nuns of Tay Thien Pagoda, Phu Tho, Vietnam.

On April 19, 2014, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center took

Phuong Mai, Spiritual Life of the Vietnamese community in Russia and the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center, Sinh hoạt tâm linh của cộng đồng người Việt tại Nga và Niệm Phật đường Mátxcơva. https://phatgiao.org.vn/sinh-hoat- tam-linh-cua-cong-dong-nguoi-viet-tai-nga-va-niem-phat-duong-matxcova

place. This was an important event for the Vietnamese Buddhist community in the Russian Federation.⁵²

Main Hall of the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center

There were figures such as Venerable Thich Duc Thien (Deputy General Secretary of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), founder of the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center, representative of the Central Committee of the VBS, Mr. Nguyen Hung Anh (Head of the Community Affairs Committee, representative of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia), Mr. Huu Thuan (Permanent Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese in Russia), representative of Thao Duong Pagoda (Moscow) and associations and Buddhists from all over the Russian Federation attending.

The Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center is an official member of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha according to Decision No. 688 QD/HDTS/VP1 dated May 13, 2010.

The Buddhist Sangha in Moscow held a ceremony to announce the construction of the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Hall (Đạo tràng Phật Tích tại Mátxcơva đã làm lễ công bố xây dựng Niệm Phật đường Mátxcơva). https://phatgiao.org.vn/dao-trang-phat-tich-tai-matxcova-xay-dung-niem-phat- duong-d14194.html

Over the years, the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center has organized Buddhist activities in accordance with the operating principles of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The Dharma center has demonstrated the spirit of solidarity, always looking towards the homeland of Vietnam, while complying with the laws of the host country.

Group chanting at the main hall

of the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center

With more than 100 Buddhists regularly participating in activities, the Buddhist Recitation Center is growing stronger and stronger and with the spirit of Dharma accompanying the nation, every year it has organized meaningful Buddhist events for the Vietnamese community in Russia, including Lunar New Year, Shangyuan Festival, Buddha’s Birthday, Vu Lan Festival, Full Moon, New Day of every month, sermons, study sessions, Hung King’s death anniversary (tenth of the third lunar month), and memorial service for heroes and martyrs (July 27).

It is known that on August 24, 2024, right in the Vu Lan season of filial piety of the Vietnamese people, at the Hanoi- Moscow Multifunctional Complex, the Moscow Buddhist Temple Board held the tenth anniversary of the construction of the Moscow Buddhist Temple and the Great Vu Lan Festival together with hundreds of Buddhists in Russia to remember the nation’s roots and honor the merits of one’s ancestors and embrace Buddhism.

For ten years, the Moscow Buddhist Temple has been part of the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese community in Russia.

Invitation letter for the Guanyin Festival of the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Russia Dang Minh Khoi attended the ceremony. Mr. Can Van Nam, who has been associated with the Moscow Buddhist Temple for ten years, affirmed that the Moscow Buddhist Temple has truly become a spiritual destination for Vietnamese people in Russia. For those who come here to study and work, this is an inviting place. This is a place for people to always remember their roots, remember the Vietnamese people, and remember Buddhism.

Traveling hundreds of miles to Moscow to attend the tenth Anniversary of the Moscow Buddhist Temple, Mr. Nguyễn Đức Thịnh,⁵³ a Buddhist from Ufa City shared, “Every time I can go to Moscow, I always come to the Buddhist Temple. I see the Buddhist Temple as a spiritual and cultural center of the Vietnamese people. Everyone who comes here has a good heart. This is also a place to spread kindness to everyone. Every time I come here, I feel like I am coming home; it feels very warm.”

In the congratulatory letter sent on the tenth anniversary of the construction of the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center, the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha⁵⁴ affirmed:

“Over the past decade, the Moscow Buddhist Temple has truly become a shared spiritual home for Vietnamese Buddhists in Russia.”

Yes, that’s right. The Moscow Buddhist Temple has truly become a spiritual destination for Vietnamese people in Moscow, other immigrant ethnic groups, and even residents of the Russian Federation.

Moscow Buddhist Temple, Ten years accompanying Vietnamese people in Russia (Niệm Phật Đường Moscow - 10 năm song hành cùng người Việt tại Nga). https://vov.gov.vn/niem-phat-duong-moscow-10-nam-song-hanh-cung- nguoi-viet-tai-nga-dtnew-991773

***

Photos of Activities in 2025

His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, the Drukpa lineage Sangha and nuns of Tay Thien Pagoda, Phu Tho, Vietnam, presided over a prayer ceremony for national peace and prosperity for the people of Vietnam and the Russian Federation at the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center.

October 9, 2025

Ven. TN Bảo Tâm, Nun Tây Thiên Pagoda, Lĩnh-Quảng Pháp (Chairman of Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center) and Buddhists offering to His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa.

October 9, 2025

Lama Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev D. V. (Vice President of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha), Ven. TN Giới Hương and the delegation of Thao Duong Pagoda attend the Vu Lan Bao Hieu ceremony at the Moscow Buddhist Recitaion Hall. September 13, 2025

Vu Lan Bao Hieu ceremony at the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center September 13, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Buddhists at the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center. September 13, 2025

From right: Lĩnh-Quang Pháp (Chairman of Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center), Lama Sergey Yogi (Padmasambhava Buddhist Center), Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev D. V. (Vice President of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha), Ven. TN Giới Hương, and Lan Hương of Thao Duong Pagoda, September 13, 2025

3.4. Korean Kwan Um Zen School–Korean Zen Buddhist Center

Address: 22, 7-1 Kedrova Street, gần trạm metro Akademicheskaya.

Founder: Thiền chủ Sùng Sơn (Seung Sahn) Manager: Thiền sinh Maksim và cô Nadejga

Website: http://dalma.ru/ ((Russian only) regularly updates prayer sessions and meditation programs.

This is a Korean Kwang Um Quan Am Zen center and the school has 100 branches around the world.⁵⁵

“Korean Kwan Um School of Zen is an international community with 100 locations Please see the map below to find your nearest Zen center

History of Korean Kwan Um School

According to website Wikipedia,⁵⁶ Korean Kwan Um School (관음선종회, 觀音禪宗會) (KUSZ) is an international school of meditation centers and groups founded by Zen Master Seung

Sahn in 1983.

Zen Master Seung Sahn (1972-2004)

Providence Zen Center in Cumberland, Rhode Island, was founded in 1972. The center is the headquarters of the Quan Am Zen sect, an international Zen Buddhist organization founded by Master Seung Sahn.

The Quan Am Zen sect has the following characteristics:

or visit our Regions page for contact information by region. If you can’t find a location near you, you can join our Online Sangha. Please contact us for more information.” https://kwanumzen.org/zen-centers

Kwan Um School of

Blending traditions: The practice style combines the rituals of Korean Buddhism and Rinzai Zen.

Morning and evening rituals: The ceremonies include elements of Hua Yen and Pure Land Buddhism.

Adaptation to Westerners: Although he belonged to the Jogye lineage of Korean Zen, Master Sungsan adapted it to suit Westerners.

Major schools: According to James Ishmael Ford, this is the largest school of Zen in the West.

Providence Zen Center in Cumberland, Rhode Island⁵⁷

Zen Master Seung Sahn first came to the United States in 1972. Initially, to make a living, he worked as a washing machine repairman at a laundromat in Providence, Rhode Island.

Students from nearby Brown University began to come to him to study Zen. This event led to the founding of the

Brian Murtha. “Providence Zen Center & Pagoda.” Photograph. Wikimedia Commons, uploaded 2008. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Providence_Zen_Center_%26_Pagoda.jpg. Accessed January 1, 2026.

Providence Zen Center in 1972.

Zen books compiled by Zen Master Seung Sahn and others at the Kwan Um Center desk in Moscow. August 18, 2025

1974 was an important year in Zen Master Seung Sahn’s work to spread Buddhism in the United States, with the founding of two Zen centers:

Dharma Zen Center (Los Angeles): Established as a place where laypeople could practice Zen without leaving their family life and regardless of their background.
Cambridge Zen Center: Also established in the same year,

Other centers followed:

1975: Chogye International Zen Center in New York City 1977: Empty Gate Zen Center in Berkeley, California

From right: Zen student Maksim, Lan Huong, Ven. TN Giới Hương, Russian Zen meditator, and Ms. Nadejga (kneeling).

August 18, 2025

In 1979, Providence Zen Center moved from Providence to its current location in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Major events that followed include:

1983: Quan Am Zen School was established.

July 1983: Construction of a Korean-style Zen monastery began on the grounds of Providence Zen Center.

July 1984: The monastery’s dedication ceremony was held.

Summer 1984: Four meditation centers and three other meditation groups were established in Poland. When Zen Master Seung Sahn passed away in 2004, he had founded forty meditation centers. Thanks to the succession of his disciples, this number has increased to 100 meditation centers to date.

Kwan Um Library at Kwan Um Center in Moscow

Room number 22 with three Chinese characters “Đạt Ma Tự, Chùa Đạt Ma,” August 18, 2025

Kwan Um Meditation Center in Moscow today

The Kwan Um Center in Moscow is currently run by Mr.

Maksim and

Ms. Nadejga, two Russian meditators.

This facility is an apartment arranged to include:

Main hall: used as a meditation room, with a capacity of

thirty people

Other areas: a living room and a kitchen.

The owner of this apartment (and the entire building with many rooms) is a Korean. He has dedicated this apartment to the Quan Am Zen sect to practice completely free of charge, including the donation of electricity, water, gas, and other expenses.

Thanks to this support, lay practitioners can come here after work to meditate without having to worry about financial burdens.

Guanyin Zen sect sign. August 18, 2025

At the Kwan Um Moscow Center, the weekly practice schedule is organized as follows:

Wednesday and Thursday: ten to twenty meditators come after work to meditate from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Sunday: The number of meditators is larger, thirty or more.

The center also offers online classes on its website, updated in Russian, for Russians and Westerners who want to learn meditation.

Practice form: Each practice session includes two meditation sessions, each lasting forty minutes. This is followed by tea, cake, and a Dharma talk. The center does not serve vegetarian food like Vietnamese and Taiwanese temples.

Every year, the center organizes a summer retreat by renting a hall in the suburbs, attracting a large number of meditators, anywhere from 100 to 300 people.

Special focus: The main activity of the center is to sit quietly and meditate. There are no chanting and veneration rituals like at Thao Duong Temple, Moscow Buddhist Temple or Tibetan temples.

Kwan Um main hall houses Buddha relics brought back from India by Zen Master Seung Sahn. August 18, 2025

Notice board of the monastery’s activities

Dharma talk with interpretation by Mrs. Lan Huong.

August 18, 2025

Padmasambhava altar, Moscow

3.5. Padmasambhava Buddhist Center-Padma Samye Ling

Address: Ulitsa Festivalnaya Dom 13 Korp 2, Moscow Manager: Cư sĩ Lạt ma Sergey Yogi

Phone: 917 588-55-66

Website: https://www.padmasambhava.org/, www.padmasambhava.ru

At Ulitsa Festivalnaya in Moscow, there is a Padmasambhava Buddhist ashram.

Facilities and activities: The ashram is a ground-floor apartment rented by a Russian layman named Sergey Yogi for

$1,000 a month.

Meditation room (main hall): A small room is reserved for people to come and study Buddhism, chant sutras, meditate, and receive blessings from lamas.

Events: Every month on the tenth, fifteenth, ninth, and thirtieth of the lunar calendar, around twelve people come to the temple to practice (this practice has lasted for more than five years). Every month, there are two animal releases. There are Vesak (Buddha’s birthday), Vu Lan, and Tet celebrations, so more Buddhists come. Every year, their teachers return from the US to India and Nepal, and Russian Buddhists also fly to India and Russia to study (easier and cheaper than going to the US).

Dharma instrument distribution area: A larger room is run by Sergey Yogi’s two sons, specializing in the business of purchasing Buddha statues and Dharma instruments from various sects.

Characteristics of Layman Sergey Yogi: It is noteworthy that Layman Sergey Yogi only started practicing the Lotus-Born Zen sect after he was married and had two sons. Therefore, he kept his hair normal in the lay lifestyle and wore a veil when performing rituals.

The lay lama tradition in Russia: This lamaism reflects a common practice in Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Russian Federation, where the lay or nomadic lama tradition still exists.

There are two main types of lamas: Ordained lamas who observe the monastic precepts (no family, shaved head) and live in monasteries and lay lamas who have families, live like laypeople but still perform rituals at temples and serve the spiritual needs of Buddhists. In status and authority they stand above ordinary lay Buddhists but below fully ordained monks.

Distinguishing characteristics: Some lay lamas still shave their heads, while others do not (like Sergey Yogi). They usually wear dark red robes but with a white cloth over them to identify them as “white lamas” (lay lamas).

Sergey Yogi (with burgundy and white striped shawl), his two sons, Ven. TN Giới Hương, and Rev. Huệ Thủy.

October 6, 2025

Sergey Yogi, a Russian lay lama, has good relationships and happily participates in major ceremonies at the Moscow Buddhist Temple and other temples.

Although Vietnamese Buddhists often chant in Vietnamese, not Russian, Lama Sergey patiently stays until the end of the ceremony.

As a Russian citizen with a deep understanding of local laws, the lama often assists temples in important administrative tasks such as helping with paperwork to apply for a legal operating license. He takes care of the official sponsorship and invitation process that allows Buddhist teachers to come to Russia and teach or continue their own studies.

Lama Sergey Yogi, Ven. TN Giới Hương, Rev. Huệ Thủy and Mrs. Lan Hương. October 6, 2025

Founder of the Padmasambhava sect: The Moscow monastery follows the Nyingma tradition. Two Tibetan lamas, Rinpoche Khenchen Palden Sherab (1938-2010) and his brother, Rinpoche Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal (born 1950), are the center’s leaders. Both studied in Tibet and later lived in India and Nepal.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava is revered as “Guru Rinpoche,” which means “precious master.”

Photos of Rinpoches at the Moscow Center. October 6, 2025

The brothers Rinpoche Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal were born and raised in the Dhosul region of Kham, Eastern Tibet, near the sacred mountain, Jowo Zegyal.

Their families have been practicing Vajrayana Buddhism for generations, with ancestors being prominent scholars and tantric practitioners. The Rinpoches’ father, Lama Chimed Namgyal, was also the brothers’ first teacher.

The turning point came in 1959, when China invaded Tibet, forcing the family to flee to India. The two Rinpoches lived in India for a while before embarking on a worldwide teaching journey, eventually settling in the United States in the 1980s.⁵⁸

Padmasambhava Buddhist Center-Padma Samye Ling https://americanbuddhism.pages.wm.edu/padmasambhava-buddhist-center- padma-samye-ling/

Padmasambhava chanting books, Moscow. Oct 6, 2025

Rinpoches Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal are known as masters of all three schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. They are also revered as masters of Dzogchen—the highest meditation tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Teaching and writing careers: Together they compiled more than thirty erudite Buddhist works in Tibetan, covering many fields such as poetry, grammar, philosophy, practice, logic, tantra, and historical perspectives.

Teaching: In the early 1980s, at the invitation of Duchjom Rinpoche (head of the Nyingma school), they traveled to Europe and the United States, later becoming heads of Buddhist centers there.

Establishment of the center: After the passing of the head of the school, the two Rinpoche brothers established the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (PBC) in New York. The goal was to preserve the authentic message of Buddha Shakyamuni and Guru Padmasambhava and to spread the teachings to the West.

Expansion: In 1991, a Padmasambhava Buddhist Center was also established in Moscow, which has now merged with the Rime Center.

The Padmasambhava Buddhist Center is based on the Nyingma tradition and Vajrayana Buddhism. The center now has locations in New York, Tennessee, Florida, and Puerto Rico, along with monasteries in Russia and India.

Padma Samye Ling hermitages in upstate New York

3.6. Dzogchen Shri Singha Dharma Center Moscow (northern Kunsangar)

Address: Moscow Region, Pavlovo-Posadsky Urban District,

Bolshie Dvory Work Settlement, Mayakovskogo Street, 2V,

142541

Chairman: George Kusanga: + 7 925 142 45 06 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: http://www.dzogchenlineage.ru/, https://dzogchen.net/

Dzogchen Main Hall, Moscow. October 7, 2025

The Dzogchen Sangha Kunsangar North community was founded in 1997 by Sergey Doudko and is chaired by Sergey Gladkih, with Lama Dzogchen Khenpo Choga as its spiritual guide.

Dzogchen sect: Dzogchen or “Great Perfection” is considered the pinnacle of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the highest and most direct path to spiritual

The Dzogchen method: Dzogchen is a system of introspection. Rather than being a traditional religious teaching, Dzogchen is defined as a system of inner knowledge, emphasizing the great importance of developing personal awareness.

Freedom and non-attachment: This spiritual path is open to all and leads to self-realization. Personal freedom is an essential aspect, so practitioners are not bound by the obligations of following rules or taking monastic vows as in other Buddhist traditional temples.

Basic practices: The basic practice of Dzogchen involves gaining a deep understanding of oneself and one’s essential existence through various experiences of daily life. Specific practices include Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, and Khaita Joyful Dances.

Teacher Dzogchen Shri Singha: The main teacher of this meditation center is Lama Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche (Tibetan: ནམ་མཁའི་ནོར་བུ་; December 8, 1938-September 27, 2018). Hence, this community is named Dzogchen

Information for Namkhai Norbu Latma:

Origin: He is a Tibetan.

Active in Italy: Moved to Italy in the 1960s.

Teaching career: He is a professor of Tibetan and Mongolian languages and literature at the Naples Eastern University and is a Tibetan Buddhist master well versed in Dzogchen, traditional religion (Tibetan Buddhism and Bon), and traditional Tibetan medicine, having written numerous books and scientific articles on these subjects.

Lama Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche⁵⁹

Garab, Professor Namkhai Norbu La of Tibet, Born 8 December 1938 in Derge, Tibet - Died 27 September 2018 in Arcidosso, Italy (cropped), 2015, photograph, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 0, https://creativecommons.

Recognition as a reincarnated lama: At Norbu’s birth, his two uncles, the Dzogchen masters Palyul Karma Yangsid and Shechen Rabjam, believed that little Norbu was the reincarnation of their master, Adzom Drugpa Rinpoche (1841-1934). When Norbu was two years old, this was confirmed by a senior tulku of the Nyingma school. Adzom Drugpa was a disciple of both Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) and Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1881). Furthermore, when Norbu was age five, the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa and Situ Rinpoche jointly recognized him as the embodiment of the mind-stream of another renowned teacher, who in turn was the emanation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the seventeenth-century founder and spiritual leader of Bhutan who was born in Tibet. Thus, Namkhai Norbu also bore the honorific title “Chögyal” (Tibetan: ཆོས་རྒྱལ་, Wylie: Chos Rgyal), meaning “King of Dharma.”

Ven. TN Giới Hương, Chairman George Kusanga ( in orange jacket) and Dzogchen practitioners in Moscow.

October 7, 2025

org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Professor_ Namkhai_Norbu_La_of_Tibet,_Born_8_December_1938_in_Derge,_Tibet_-_ Died_27_September_2018_in_Arcidosso,_Italy_(cropped).jpg.

Such recognitions of his reincarnation brought him fame and prestige at an early age, leading him to later exclaim, “As I grew up, I was given quite a few names and titles, many of which were very long and flowery. But I never used them, because I always liked the name ‘Norbu’ that my parents gave me at birth.”⁶⁰

Practice methods at Dzogchen Sangha Kunsangar North Moscow Center:

Yantra Yoga: Also called “Yoga of Movement,” it is one of the oldest recorded yoga systems in existence in the world. It is a yoga system originating from Tibet, a land that holds a rich treasure trove of Buddhist traditional knowledge and wisdom.

The teacher of the Dzogchen center, Lama Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, has made a great contribution to the preservation and propagation of this system. He wrote an extensive commentary on the eighth-century original teaching of Vairocana, called Nyida Khajor (Yantra of the Union of the Sun and Moon). This commentary is based on his personal training and knowledge of Yantra Yoga that he learned from his uncle and other teachers in Tibet. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu began teaching Yantra Yoga formally in the early 1970s in Italy.

Vajra Dance: In the Dzogchen teachings, sound and movement play a vital role as they are essential means to help the practitioner enter a meditative state. Vajra Dance is primarily a practice aimed at harmonizing the individual’s energy.

Latma Namkhai Norbu (Tibetan: ནམ་མཁའི་ནོར་བུ་, Wylie: nam mkha’i nor bu; December 8, 1938-September 27, 2018). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namkhai_Norbu

Vajra Dance.⁶¹

If a practitioner has a deeper understanding of the meaning of the Vajra Dance, this practice becomes a powerful method for merging the three entities: body, speech, and mind into a meditative state. This merger is one of the most important goals of a Dzogchen practitioner.

The Vajra Dance is practiced on a mandala circle (multi- colored). This circle symbolizes the correspondence between the inner dimension of the individual (body, speech, mind) and the outer dimension of the world (the surrounding environment).

In April 2011, the Vajra Dance, a meditative practice transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, was granted official recognition by the International Dance Council (CID), the official UNESCO partner for dance, highlighting its value as an element of living spiritual heritage.⁶²

International Dzogchen Community, Vajra Dance on the Mandala, photograph, net, accessed January 1, 2026, https://dzogchen.net/]
Dance Vajra https://dzogchen.net/vajra-dance/ More information:

Associazione International Dzogchen Community https://melong.com/welcome-to-kunsangar-north-russia/ http://www.dzogchenlineage.com/dharmacenters.html

https://melong.com/ category/ shang-shung-institute/ shang-shung-

Two Dzogchen practitioners performing the Vajra Dance.

October 7, 2025.

Khaita Joyful Dances: Khaita means “Harmony in Space.”⁶³ Through Vajra Dance, the aim is to harmonize the energy in everyone with the surrounding environment, resonating with the harmony of the universe, bringing a strong feeling of being filled with peace and

Dance (in this context, Vajra Dance) is considered the best way to harmonize movement and sound, helping to develop a deep understanding of space and how to connect with others (fellow dancers).

In addition, in 2011, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu started a project to collect modern songs performed by young Tibetan artists, selecting from hundreds of songs based on their deep meaning and beautiful melodies.

publications-2/ https://www.shangshungpublications.com/ru/ 63 Khaita Joyful Dances https://www.khaita.org/

Chairman George Kusanga (orange jacket), NT Giới Hương in yellow robe, and Mrs. Thanh Loan (far right) along with Russian meditators. October 7, 2025

The themes of the lyrics collected by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu not only reflect Tibetan culture but also touch the heart of every culture. We can recognize in them important and universal values for all humanity, such as:

Love for the homeland

Aspiration to preserve the national language and culture Aspiration to overcome borders and divisions between

diverse groups of people

Aspiration to spread peace in the world

Currently, Message from Tibet includes 108 songs, while

Mekhor features 180 songs and nearly 200 dances.

Wherever Lama Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has been, and now at all other Dzogchen Community sites and headquarters, practitioners maintain a common ritual: singing and dancing together at 5 pm every day (sometimes several times a day).

The Center also regularly organizes public performances and demonstrations to introduce Dzogchen dances in various contexts to the public.

Dzogchen practices, including Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance and Khaita Dance, are especially suited to the needs of laypeople in modern society. Practitioners believe that practicing these methods can bring health, peace, joy and will lead to the Buddhist meditation levels.

The Dzogchen community has an extensive network of branches, including locations in Russia and Ukraine: in Moscow, Pavlovsky Posad, Ulan-Ude, Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Kharkov, Kiev, Odessa, Krasnodar and branches abroad such as in Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States.⁶⁴

3.7. Moscow Diamond Way Buddhist Center

Address: Moscow, Metro Station Krasnye Vorota, Metro Station Komsomolskaya, Kalanchevsky Blind Alley, 3-5с6

Phone: +74956090380

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: https://www.mantra.ru https://www.karmapa.org/ centers/moscow/moscow-diamond-way-buddhist-center/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosbuddhism/

Nghệ thuật Kiến Trúc Phật giáo Nga (Russian Buddhist Architecture).” Gia Hội Thư Trang (blog). June 2013. http://giahoithutrang.blogspot.com/2013/06/ nghe-thuat-kien-truc-phat-giao_8694.html.

Moscow Zen Hall with portraits of the four guiding teachers.

October 7, 2025

The Moscow Diamond Way Buddhist Center is the largest meditation center in the Russian Federation. The center belongs to the Karma Kagyu tradition and was founded in 1993 by Lama Ole Nydahl.

Overview of the Moscow Diamond Way Buddhist Center: Tradition and Founding: The center belongs to the Karma

Kagyu tradition and was founded in 1993 by Lama Ole Nydahl from Denmark.

Structure: The temple features a two-story layout designed for both spiritual practice and practical support. The upper floor houses a serene meditation room alongside a quiet library stocked with Buddhist texts and resources for study and contemplation. On the lower floor, visitors will find a distribution room dedicated to Buddhist publications, a canteen offering simple meals, and storage rooms for supplies and materials.

Size and Activities: The largest Diamond Way center in the Russian Federation with 500 members in Moscow. Open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. Evenings are typically the busiest as members arrive after work. It is connected to a network of seventy branches across Russia, reaching as far as Komsomolsk- on-Amur in the Far East.

Membership: Annual membership fee is 1,000 rubles.

Front of the Moscow Zen Hall. October 7, 2025

The Moscow Diamond Way Buddhist Center is in the heart of Moscow, with convenient transportation, attracting a large number of members to come and practice.

Schedule and activities at the centre:

Weekday evenings: Usually thirty-fifty members come to meditate.
Weekends (Sundays): The number of meditators is
When there are visiting lamas giving Dharma talks, the number of attendees can be up to 500.
The center operates like a library or flexible retreat
Members use a chip card to open the automatic
They can come to read and meditate.
The cafeteria sells food and drinks, allowing members to practice and eat quietly all day.
The center closes at 9 pm; no one stays

Objectives and teachings: The center provides information about Buddhism and the opportunity to practice Buddhist

methods of liberation. Here, students can study the methods taught by the Buddha more than 2,500 years ago, which were practiced in India and later in Tibet. In the West, these methods may have been slightly adapted to suit cultural characteristics, but the core remains the same as in the Buddha’s time.

Ven. TN Giới Hương visits Moscow Zen Monastery.

October 7, 2025

The Moscow Diamond Way Buddhist Center is a member of the Central Religious Organization, the Russian Diamond Way Buddhist Association of the Karma Kagyu Tradition.

The association maintains friendly relations with other Buddhist organizations, regularly participating in religious events, celebrations, and festivals.

Danish Lama Ole Nydahl is famous for being the first European Karma Kagyu lama. He specializes in teaching Vajrayana Buddhism and performs mind-to-mind transmission, when the mind of the disciple is identical with the mind of the teacher.

Danish Lama Ole Nydahl, instructor

The Moscow Diamond Way Buddhist Center operates under the direct spiritual guidance of Lama Ole Nydahl. However, the supreme head of the entire Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan

Buddhism is His Holiness the seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.

His Holiness Lama Ole Nydahl was born on March 16, 1941 (February 19, Tan Ty).⁶⁵ The founder of more than 650 Diamond Way Buddhist centers in the Karma Kagyu tradition worldwide, Ole Nydahl was born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Biographical details:

Teaching activities: In the 1970s, he and his wife Hannah Nydahl (1946-2007) traveled around the world teaching and leading meditation courses.

Literary achievements: He is the author of ten English- language Buddhist books.

Early education and career: In the early 1960s, he served in the Danish army. He then studied philosophy, English, and German at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He completed his philosophy thesis with the highest marks and studied in other countries such as the United States and Germany.

In 1968, the year of Mậu Thân, during their honeymoon journey to Nepal, Ole and Hannah Nydahl met Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche, their first teacher and a highly realized master of the Drukpa Kagyu school within the Vajrayana tradition.⁶⁶

In December 1969, Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah Nydahl had their first meeting with His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981) at Swayambhu in Nepal. They became the Karmapa’s first Western disciples.

During the next four years of intensive training in the eastern Himalayas, Ole Nydahl received the heart initiation,

Đức Lạt Ma Ole Nydahl, Holder of many Phowa (Death Karma) lineages (Người nắm giữ nhiều dòng truyền thừa Phowa (Cận tử nghiệp), Vân Tuyền )

https://phatgiao.org.vn/duc-lat-ma-ole-nydahl-nguoi-nam-giu-nhieu-dong- truyen-thua-phowa-d26470.html

Ibid

Mahamudra teachings, important transmissions, and profound instructions from the great meditation masters of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages:

Mahamudra (the highest Buddhist view of the nature of mind) from the 16th Karmapa (1969-1981)

Kagyu Ngagdzö (the “treasure collection of the most important lineages” of the Karma Kagyu lineage) from the 16th Karmapa (1976)

Bodhichitta (the aspiration to dedicate one’s life to the enlightenment of humanity) from Shamar Rinpoche, the second head of the Karma Kagyu lineage (1970)

Ngöndro (foundational practices) from Kalu Rinpoche (1970-1971)

Rinchen Terdzö (Treasures of the Nyingma Lineage) from Kalu Rinpoche (1983)

In the fall of 1972, the 16th Karmapa asked the couple to return to Europe. Lamas Ole Nydahl and his wife, Hannah Nydahl, were commissioned to teach and establish Buddhist centers in the Western world in the Karmapa’s name and were also given permission to organize refuge in the Three Jewels and take bodhichitta vows.

Lamas Ole Nydahl and Hannah Nydahl also received initiations and other important instructions from great masters, including:

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Gyaltsab Rinpoche Urgyen Tulku

Bokar Rinpoche Kanjur Rinpoche Gyaltrul Rinpoche

Notably, in 1995, Khenpo Choddrak Thenpel Rinpoche officially bestowed upon Ole Nydahl the title of Lama on behalf of the Buddhist Institutes of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa.

Upon returning to Europe at the request of the 16th Karmapa, Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah Nydahl began teaching the Dharma and conducting meditation retreats. These activities were initially concentrated in Denmark and Germany and later expanded to other countries such as South Africa.

Vajrayana Buddhist centers: These centers belong to the Karma Kagyu lineage and operate under the practical guidance of Lama Ole Nydahl. In the 1990s, the centers were formalized as Diamond Way Buddhism. This was to protect the centers in the context of the Karmapa controversy that was taking place at the time.

As of February 2012, there were 629 Diamond Way Buddhist Centers worldwide, most of which were concentrated in Europe, Russia and the United States.

Teaching activities: Lama Ole Nydahl has a full schedule of teaching and conducting meditation courses throughout the year, frequently traveling and teaching in different cities. His courses include important topics such as mahamudra (the great postures) and phowa (the moment of death).

After more than forty years of teaching and activities, he received the approval of Rinpoche Shamarpa in 2012. Lama Ole Nydahl and his students have together created the Diamond Way Buddhist Centers network. A special feature of these centers is that the teaching materials are translated into different Western languages.

Lama Nydahl strongly believes that it is necessary for people to read and understand the teachings in their mother tongue, so that Buddhism can easily take root and develop firmly in the West.

Operational model and members: The coordinators and

participants of Vajrayana Buddhist Centers have the following common characteristics:

They have a basic secular
Have a family and a stable
Buddhist philosophy and Vajrayana meditation are directly integrated into their daily lives. As members of the center, they share responsibility for the conduct of the community and for the teachings.

The center operates entirely on a voluntary basis, based on friendship, ideals, and compassion.

Over the past ten years, at the request of many, Lama Nydahl has expanded his practice of establishing centers for study, teaching, and protection of practitioners around the world. He is fully qualified to guide Buddhists in meditation and lead people toward the Dhamma. Lama Ole Nydahl has established Vajrayana Buddhist centers around the world and has taught meditation to over 70,000 people. He conducts an average of twelve retreats a year globally.

Expertise and activities: Phowa—he is an expert in the field of life, death, and rebirth, and holds several Phowa lineages. At the request of Shamar Rinpoche and Tenga Rinpoche, he taught the first Phowa course for Western students in Graz, Austria, in 1981.

Praise: Shamar Rinpoche praised Lama Nydahl’s work for continuing to inspire thousands worldwide, as he faithfully followed the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje’s instructions without question. Today, Lama Ole Nydahl continues to work with the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, who is considered the reincarnation of his previous teacher.

Ven. TN Giới Hương and two executives of Moscow Zen Center. October 7, 2025

3.8. Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shrina, Moscow

Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shrina Center n/a Moscow Russia

Contact: Alexander Dogaev Phone: +7 (926) 9035959

Website: http://drikung.ru https://drikung.ee/center.html

The Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shri Center maintains branches in Moscow, Russia and Tallinn, Estonia, with forty branches in the world.

The Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shrina Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Moscow was founded in 2009 by Lama Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche and Lama H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, abbot of the Drikung Kagyu Institute. In 2003, His Holiness Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche visited Moscow many times and expressed his intention to build a Buddhist center to teach Buddhism to the people there. From that cause, the center was established.
The Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shrina Tibetan Buddhist Temple

in Tallinn, Estonia, established in 1992, teaches meditation and Buddhist teachings. There are many traditional Drikung Kagyu meditation practices. Everyone can find a suitable practice method to choose from.

Address: Vilmsi 45A-2, Tallinn, Estonia 10412 President: Ain Starast

+372 56479868

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lineage Tibetan: Drikung Kagyu

Lineage holder/Director: Drupon Konchok Sangyas Rinpoche

A Lama sharing the Dharma

At Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shri in Moscow (or at other branches), evening and weekend meditation courses are held

regularly. Additionally, there are courses for beginners and long-term summer retreats.

Meditation methods: The meditation methods taught at the temple are derived from the ancient Drikung Kagyu system. Although each meditator can find the practice that suits him or her, Drikung lamas recommend starting with:

Shine meditation
Nöndro (preliminary practices)

These practices are considered foundational or are practiced in parallel with more advanced meditations later.

Who should attend: The center not only attracts meditators but also welcomes those interested in learning about Tibetan language, music, and culture.

3.9. Dhamma Dullabha Vipassana Center

Address: Avsyunino, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 142645 Phone: +7 985 291-32-04

Email to register for courses: reg.ru.dhamma.org@gmail. com

Website: https://www.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schdullabha This information refers to a Vipassana meditation Center

in Russia, Dhamma Dullabha, located sixty-two miles east of Moscow, in the village of Avsyutino.

Location: The village of Avsyutino is two hours by suburban train from Kazansky station. From Avsyutino station, the center is a short walk.

Activities: The center organizes ten-day Vipassana meditation courses. The courses follow strict rules, including silence (no talking), no phone calls, and a strict schedule for the entire ten days.

Teaching: The courses are guided by video and audio tapes by the late Satya Naravan Goenka.

Special features: This is one of the few Theravada Buddhist centers in Russia, focusing on teaching Vipassana meditation as an art of living.

Satya Narayana Goenka (Burmese, born 1924) was an outstanding disciple of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. He trained over 800 meditation teachers and guided over 100,000 international meditators each year in the practice of Vipassana meditation.

Satya Goenka emphasized that the Buddha’s teachings on liberation are universal and not limited by region, ethnicity, color or level of education. Therefore, Vipassana meditation is for everyone.

The Dhamma Dullabha Center is currently the only permanent Vipassana meditation center in the Russian Federation.

Course registration status: The number of people wishing to take courses at the center is increasing and has now exceeded the center’s capacity many times over. Due to high demand, course spots are claimed extremely quickly, often filling completely within a few minutes of registration opening.

Practice method and goals: Each meditation course lasts ten days. Throughout the year, the center conducts a variety of courses—introductory and advanced, short and long—for both newcomers and seasoned meditators, steadily refining and expanding its programs.

Method: This is a retreat to experience observing the mind, following the breath, practicing mindfulness in all postures (walking, standing, sitting, lying down), aiming for mindfulness, awareness,and inner stillness.

Meaning: “Vipassana” means seeing things as they truly are. This is one of the oldest Satipatthana meditation methods in India, taught more than 2,500 years ago as a panacea for universal illnesses, also known as an “art of living.” For those unfamiliar with Vipassana meditation, please read An Introduction to Vipassana by S. N. Goenka or Diary: Practicing Vipassana and

the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Sutta (in Vietnamese and English) by Thích Nữ Giới Hương for a better understanding of this method.⁶⁷

3.10. The Datsan of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia-Ivolginsky Datsan

Address: Gadan Choepelin Moscow Datsan Kommunarka settlement, Moscow, Russia (Гадан Чойпэлин Московский дацан Поселок Коммунарка)

The Russian government has approved funding for the construction of Russia’s largest Buddhist center by 2026. It is a huge project, with the government expected to fund 90 percent of the budget, with the rest coming from contributions from Buddhists and lamas.

Below is a summary of the project’s key details: Size: approximately 32,292 square feet

Model: Designed like the Nalanda University model in India, focusing on Buddhist culture, academics from different traditions, healthcare, international conferences, meditation classes, music and religious ceremonies.

Funding: 90 percent from the Russian government budget; 10 percent from donors and Buddhists

Person in charge: His Excellency the Supreme Patriarch Did Khambo Lama S. D. Vladimirovich

Progress: Construction will start in 2026 with expected completion by 2031.

This project aims to meet the growing spiritual and religious needs of the Buddhist community of various traditions in Russia.

Thích Nữ Giới Hương. Nhật ký Hành Thiền Vipassana và Kinh Tứ Niệm Xứ [Diary: Practicing Vipassana and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Sutta]. Hanoi: NXB Tôn Giáo, 2024. https://huongsentemple.com/index.php/ vn/kinh-sach/tu-sach-bao-anh-lac

Master plan of the Buddhist Datsan at the office of Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev D. V., Vice President of the Russian Traditional Buddhist Sangha. October 6, 2025

Panorama of the Buddhist Center under construction.

October 8, 2025

According to Alexander Koybagarov, president of the Russian Buddhist Association of the Karma Kagyu lineage, the project of the Moscow Buddhist Center was initially ready in 2008 but then stalled.

The project has been revived, thanks to the positive comments and encouragement from the Moscow Buddhist community. Dulma Shagdarov, president of the Moscow Buddhist Community, said that the preparations are now almost complete so that construction can start in 2026.⁶⁸

Văn Công Hưng (Theo Tiếng nói nước Nga). Russia: The first temple is

The Deputy Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Sangha, Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev D. V., emphasized that the Moscow Buddhist Center project is essential and serves multiple important functions:

Religious facility and meeting point—a place where different Buddhist schools
Cultural, educational, and meditation center with the purpose of studying and practicing morality, concentration, and wisdom.

Learning opportunities: Providing training for both monks and nuns, helping them to increase their knowledge and deepen their understanding of Buddhist ethics. He also expressed his belief that when completed, the center will go beyond the purely religious scope. There are plans to invite renowned Buddhist professors from countries with Buddhist traditions to teach, with the expectation that the project will strongly promote the development of Buddhism in Moscow. He sent his prayers for the project’s early completion.

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Nhuan Hanh visit the temporary main hall of the Moscow Buddhist Datsan. October 8, 2025

about to be built (Nga: Sắp xây dựng ngôi chùa đầu tiên). https://giacngo.vn/ nga-sap-xay-dung-ngoi-chua-dau-tien-post25365.html

3.11. Office of the Representative of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia in Moscow-Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich

Address: Barykovsky Pereueok, Dom 9, Moscow

Signboard of the Office of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha in Russia, Moscow. August 19, 2025.

On August 19, 2025 and October 6, 2025, a Buddhist delegation including Most Venerable Bhikkhuni TN Giới Hương, and Venerable Hue Thuy, interpreter, and driver Ms. Lan Huong had a successful visit and interview with the Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha, Did Khambo Venerable Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich at his office in Barykovsky Pereueok Dom 9, Moscow.

His Holiness the Vice President Sodnomdorzhiev Dashinima Vladimirovich is permanently stationed in this office to run the work on behalf of His Holiness the Patriarch Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, who is resident at the Ivolginsky Datsan Buddhist Center in the Republic of Buryatia. This is the largest Buddhist academy and temple in the Russian Federation.

From left: Rev. Huệ Thủy, Ven. TN Giới Hương, Vice President Sodnomdorzhiev D. V. and Ms. Lan Huong. August 19, 2025

From left: Lama Bayashalan, His Holiness Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist Traditional Church of the Russian Federation), Ven. TN Giới Hương, and interpreter Mrs. Ninh Hải in Buryatia.

September 18, 2025

3.12. Nicholas Roerich Museum

Address: 3 Maly Znamensky Street, near the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Kropotkinskaya Metro Station

Open: Generally 11 am to 9 pm. Closed Mondays

Nicholas Roerich Museum sign

The museum is housed in the beautiful, fully restored seventeenth-century Lophukin Estate. It houses a large collection of artworks, including Buddhist paintings and Mongol Tsam Religious Ceremony paintings by the famous writer, philosopher and painter Nicholas Roerich.

The Roerich family made a remarkable journey in the 1920s, traveling from the Himalayas, through Tibet and China to the Altai region.

The most distinctive and prominent feature of the museum’s art collection is the enormous collection of sketches of the Himalayas by Nicholas Roerich.

These sketches have become the basis for large-scale traveling exhibitions, widely held in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and other countries.

The Nicholas Roerich Museum in Moscow is the only unique museum in Russia whose exhibitions reach the most remote parts of the country, not just the major cities or cultural centers. This initiative has given millions of people the opportunity to admire the wonderful beauty of Roerich’s art.

3.13. Addresses of Buddhist Centers in Moscow

The website Tibet house,⁶⁹ lists the following Tibetan Buddhist institutions:

Center of Tibetan Culture and Information Chairman: Ông Tashi

Advisor: Lạt ma Tsering Dhondup Phone: (495) 629-46-17, fax 629-24-14

Website: www.savetibet.ru

The Tibetan Cultural and Information Center was established in Moscow in 1993 and has been officially approved by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.

Dissemination of information: The Center actively promotes and shares knowledge about Tibetan culture and religion.

Representative office: This is the official residence and working place of the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Russia.

Moscow Buddhist Community Chairman: Dulma Shagdarova Phone: (495) 4381787

Website: www.buddtemple.ru Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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Drikung Mahayana Center Phone: 8 (903)506-92-78 Website: drikung.ru Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This Drikung Kagyu lineage is one of the branches of the Kagyu lineage, founded 852 years ago by the great master Kyoba Jikten Sumgyon.

Sokolniki, Moscow (Moscow Samye Dzong)

Address: Moscow, Kutuzovsky Avenue, 22, Reception Room of Obschaya Gazeta

Phone: (495)249-16-13

Website: www.samyedzong.chat.ru

The Akong Tulku Center belongs to the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. It was founded in the autumn of 1996 and is a branch of the largest Buddhist Traditional Center in Europe, Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland.

The main teacher of the center is Akong Tulku Rinpoche, one of the important heirs of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

Dzogchen Shri Singha Community of Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtig

Address: Moscow, Mosfilmovskaya str., 2 В, 2nd floor.

Metro Kievskaya, 17 or 34 trolleybus, stop-Pudovkina str. Phone: (495) 730-54-66 Center, 8-926-226-64-50 Vlad

Website: www.dzogchenlineage.ru

In the Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtig lineage, Rinpoche Khenpo Choga is recognized as the thirty-third lineage holder. This lineage originated from Siddha Shri Singha, who received from his master Manjushrimitra the six million Dzogchen tantras—considered the essence of the Buddha’s teachings, allowing for the attainment of Buddhahood in one lifetime.

Siddha Shri Singha is the sixth holder of the Dzogchen Nyingtig lineage.

Patrul Rinpoche Center Dzogchen Jigme Choling Phone: (495) 4748122

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Alexander Budaev Website: www.patrulrinpoche.ru

Dzogchen Ranyak Patrul Rinpoche is a prominent master of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. At a young age, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the first Patrul Rinpoche.

After years of dedicated training at Dzogchen Monastery and Shri Singha University, Patrul Rinpoche attained the following academic degrees:

Khenpo: Equivalent to a Doctor of Buddhist Philosophy
Dorje Lopen: Master of Ritual

His journey to spread the Dharma in Europe began in the summer of 1996. The first Dharma center he founded was in Brussels (Belgium) in 1998.

Today, Rinpoche continues to generously respond to invitations to transmit the precious Buddhist teachings in Belgium and to offer his blessings and teachings to practitioners in other nations. His network has expanded to fifteen Dharma centers in different countries.

He first visited Russia in 1998 at the invitation of the St. Petersburg Sangha. His visits quickly drew public interest and attracted the first Buddhist followers in the region.

Moscow Buddhist Center Rime

Address: 1st Basmannyi side-street, 5/20, bld.1, apt.133, Metro Komsomolskaya or Krasnye Vorota

Phone: (495) 261 84 18

Website: www.buddism.ru

The Rime (non-sectarian) tradition emerged in Tibet in the second half of the nineteenth century, with representatives from the Kagyu, Nyingma, and Sakya schools. The core objective of Rime is to promote integration and mutual learning between different traditions, while respecting and maintaining the independence and distinctiveness of each school.

The Rime Center was founded in 1994 by the eminent master of Tibetan Buddhism, Beru Khyentse Rinpoche. The center brings together people interested in the practices taught by Choki Nyima Rinpoche, Master of the Kagyu school and Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, Master of the Kagyu and Nyingma schools. The Rime Center provides opportunities for Buddhists to practice teachings from various lineages under the guidance of these masters.

Moscow Buddhist Center “Sakya Jampel Ling” (Trung tâm Sakya Jampel Ling tại Moscow)

Address: 117526, Moscow, Leninskyi Avenue Phone: (495) 144-3-69, (495) 4341204

Website: http://www.sakya.ru

It is said that the Sakya school has the smallest number of followers among the Tibetan schools in Russia.

The presence of the Sakya school in Russia began in 1995 when, at the invitation of the St. Petersburg Datsan and the opinion of Krapivina, the abbot of the Sakya school Tenzin came to Russia with four other lamas. During this visit, he visited many places, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Buryatiya, and Kalmykiya.

The result of this visit was the establishment of the Sakya Center Moscow. Initial groups were small, often twenty followers.

A Sakya Buddhist Center was also established in Kalmykiya. Bon Shen Ling Center

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: http://www.aha.ru/~bon/

The Bon Shen Ling Center was founded by Rinpoche Nyima Dagpa after he finished his retreat in July 1999 in Moscow.

Rinpoche Nyima Dagpa is the abbot and lineage holder of Lhati Monastery in Kham, Eastern Tibet. His father was the third incarnation of Tsultim Puntsog, a great Bon master. He received his first Bon teachings from his father and from Tsultim Nyima, the founder of Dorbatan Monastery.

Education and teaching career: He studied under the tutelage of His Holiness Menri Tridzin Rinpoche, the thirty-third abbot of Menri Monastery and the spiritual head of the global Bon tradition. Rinpoche is currently teaching in India, Nepal, Western Europe, and the United States. He is also the director of Bon Children’s Home and the editor of the Bon Cultural Center magazine, Voice of Compassion.

Ganden Tendar Ling Community

Phone: 89035455096 Sergey, 8-910-408-00-51 Tatyana Website: www.gtl-fpmt.narod.ru, www.fpmt.ru

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This group is a member of the International Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), directed by Lama Zopa.

Trung Tâm Phật Giáo Lama Tsonkapa Moscow (Truyền Thống Gelug)

Address: 115162, Moscow, Mytnaya Str., 23, bld. 1

Phone: (495) 237-65-79, 237-15-13

Website: www.buddha.ru https://treasuryoflives.org/en/institution/Moscow-Buddhist-

Center-Lama-Tsongkhapa

The Moscow Buddhist Center of Lama Tsongkhapa is a religious organization that brings together Gelug Tibetan Buddhists in Moscow.

Establishment: The center was first registered in December

1996.

Re-registration: In 2000, the center was re-registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation as a branch of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha.

Spiritual teacher: From 1993 to 2001, the center’s spiritual teacher was Geshe Jampa Tinley, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Moscow and President of the Tibetan Cultural Center.

Membership: The Moscow center has 150 members Masters: The members of the center honor His Holiness the

14th Dalai Lama, Geshe Jampa Tinley and Mongolian Buddhist leader Bogdo-gegen Halha Jetsun-Damba Rinpoche IX as their main spiritual masters.

Activities and Education: The Lama Tsongkhapa Center regularly organizes Buddhist practices, rituals and consultations with the participation of Tibetan lamas and Tibetan medical experts from the Buddhist republics of Buryatiya and Kalmykiya.

The center also has a branch called “Manjushri,” whose main tasks are to carry out educational work, disseminate Buddhist teachings, and publish Buddhist scriptures.

Thanks to the teachers’ travels throughout Russia, other Geshe centers were established in cities such as Omsk, Irkutsk and Yekaterinburg.

Chapter 4

BUDDHISM

IN ST. PETERSBURG

Historic Center of Petersburg (formerly Leningrad)
UNESCO recognized Petersburg as a World Cultural Heritage site
Buddhism in St. Petersburg and Datsan Gunzechoinei (Guanyin Temple)
- History of Datsan Gunzechoinei (Guanyin Temple)
- Celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Datsan Gunzechoinei in Petersburg, Russia
- Lama Pandito Hambo Itigelov visits Gunzechoinei in St. Petersburg to present a gift to the Royal Family
- Gunzechoinei Datsan today
Buddhist meditation centers in Petersburg
- Petersburg Diamond Way Buddhist Center
- Kwan Um Zen Center in Petersburg
- Buddhist Congregation Dharmaling

Historic Center of St. Petersburg

Petersburg (coordinates: 59°57′N 30°19′E), covering 9,715 acres (or fifteen square miles), is the second-

largest city in Russia. It’s situated on the Neva River and serves as a major port on the Baltic Sea.

St. Petersburg, formerly known as Petrograd (1914-1924), Leningrad (1924-1991), is the second largest city in Russia. The city is located on the Neva River, at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea with a population of 5.6 million (2025).⁷⁰

The city was founded by Tsar Peter the Great (reigned 1682- 1752) in 1703 on the site of a fortress captured by Sweden and named after St. Peter. St. Petersburg is historically and culturally associated with the birth of the Russian Empire and Russia’s entry into modern history as a European power. The city was the capital of the Russian Empire from 1713 to 1918. After the October Revolution of 1917, the capital was moved to Moscow.

Unesco World Heritage Registration of St. Petersburg (1990)

St. Petersburg, often called the “Venice of the North,” is notable for its intricate network of canals and over 400 bridges. This was a grand urban project, initiated in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great. The city was known as Leningrad during the Soviet era and is associated with the Russian October Revolution.

2.1. Architectural heritage

The city is a fine example of a harmonious blend of pure Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, as evidenced by the following iconic buildings:

Petersburg Population 2025. World Population Review. Accessed January 1, 2026. https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/russia/st-petersburg.

Admiralty
Winter Palace
Marble Palace
Hermitage Museum

2.2. Urban development and landscape

The unique urban landscape of St. Petersburg, located at the mouth of the Neva River and the Gulf of Finland, made it one of the greatest urban creations of the Eighteenth century.

The city’s splendor was enhanced by the reigns of Empresses Anna Ioannovna, Elisabeth Petrovna. and Catherine II the Great. A series of talented foreign architects such as Rastrelli, Rinaldi, Quarenghi, Cameron, and Vallin de la Mothe contributed to the grandeur of the royal palaces and residences, including lavish works in famous suburbs such as:

Peterhof (Petrodvorets)
Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin)
Pavlovsk

2.3. Key features of St. Petersburg

The city balances man-made planning and the natural environment to create an urban masterpiece.

Harmony of architecture and landscape: The main attraction of the historic center is the perfect combination of architectural structures (vertical and horizontal) with natural elements such as embankments, squares, and the Neva River.

The Neva River’s magnitude: The Neva River not only brings vitality but also creates a special spatial scale and becomes the main open space of the city, providing a rich landscape.

Integrity in planning: St. Petersburg is a rare urban planning project in history that has preserved its logic and integrity, despite changes in architectural style over the periods.

Spiritual elements: The greatness of the city is linked to the spiritual element and identity of the Russian Empire.

Venerable Nun TN Giới Hương at the Bronze Horseman statue,

a symbol of Peter the Great. August 17, 2025

2.4. Historical role in modern times

The city was the center of tragic and heroic historical events in the twentieth century, shaping the modern history of Russia.

Russian Revolution (1917): The city witnessed and participated in the important events of the February and October

Revolutions of 1917.

Siege of Leningrad (1941-1944): Underwent a fierce military blockade during World War II, a huge ordeal that cost millions of lives.

2.5. Current status

After great challenges, the city still maintains its unshakable

role.

Center of culture and science: St. Petersburg continues to be the symbol and foundation of modern Russian culture, one of the leading centers of science, culture, and education.

Universal values: The creative heritage and great personalities associated with the city have outstanding universal values recognized by the world.

2.6. Why St. Petersburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site

UNESCO has recognized St. Petersburg based on four main criteria, highlighting the city’s universal and unique value in the history of urban planning and architecture.

Urban art achievement: The city is a unique artistic achievement in urban design, distinguished by its ambition, uniformity in planning, and rapid pace of construction.

Architectural influence: Architectural complexes designed by famous architects such as Rastrelli, Cameron, and Rinaldi had a huge influence on the development of architecture in Russia and Finland in the eighteenth and ninthteenth centuries.

Typical style: The architectural complex is one of the most outstanding examples of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture in mansion construction, demonstrating its role as a model capital of these styles.

Link to global events: The city is directly associated with events of global significance, particularly its construction under Peter the Great, which symbolized the opening of Russia to the

Western world and the emergence of the Tsarist Empire on the international stage.

These criteria confirm that St. Petersburg is not only a beautiful city but also a masterpiece of urban planning with profound historical and artistic influence throughout the world.

Nickname: Known as the “Venice of the North” thanks to its canals and bridges along with unique historic urban landscapes.

International title: Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage

site (1990) thanks to its majestic architectural complexes and outstanding universal values.

Main attraction: The city’s greatness comes from the perfect harmony between its architecture and the surrounding landscape, particularly the Neva River.

Cultural meaning: St. Petersburg is a symbol and solid foundation of Russian culture, forever associated with great personalities and creative works of universal value.

These elements shape a unique St. Petersburg, both a masterpiece of urban planning and a great cultural, scientific, and historical center of the world.

Petersburg today

St. Petersburg, also known as the Northern Capital and the Venice of Russia, was the imperial capital for two centuries after its founding by Peter the Great in 1703. The city is famous for its Bronze Horseman statue and is a major cultural center with venues such as the Mariinsky Theatre and the Russian State Museum. The city is a major cultural, educational, and religious center in Russia.

Culture: St. Petersburg is the cultural capital of Russia, a major cultural, educational, and religious center of Russia, known for its rich history, diverse institutions, and friendly atmosphere. The city boasts:

Literature: The city has a rich literary tradition, serving as the setting and inspiration for the works of famous Russian writers such as Pushkin, Gogol, and Dostoyevsky.

Museums and galleries: More than 221 museums, including the world-famous Hermitage Museum, which houses a huge art collection.

Performing arts: More than eighty theaters and 100 concert organizations, with a vibrant opera, ballet (such as the classic Swan Lake). The Mariinsky Theatre is a prominent venue for these arts.

Architecture and landmarks: The city is known for its magnificent architecture, canals (which earned it the nickname “Venice of the North”), and historic landmarks such as St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the Peterhof Palace complex.

Education: St. Petersburg is an educational hub with many universities, such as St. Petersburg Polytechnic University named after Peter the Great and St. Petersburg State University, which is the oldest university and one of the largest centers of research and higher education in Russia, offering a wide range of educational programs, including unique interdisciplinary study programs such as Buddhist, Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish Religious Studies.

Religion: The city is multi-national and multi-religious, known for its tolerance of different faiths.

Dominant faiths: Russian Orthodoxy is the largest and most prominent religion, with cathedrals, churches, and monasteries, such as the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and Kazan Cathedral.

Religious diversity: Other religious groups have a significant presence and places of worship, including:

Muslims, with the largest mosque in Northern Europe
Catholics, with the Church of St. Catherine and Our Lady of Lourdes

Jews, Grand Choral Synagogue, one of the largest in Europe
Buddhists, Gunzechoinei Datsan (also known as the Amethyst Monastery, built in 1908)

The Russian Constitution protects freedom of religion, enabling a wide variety of faiths to thrive in the city. Buddhist activities in St. Petersburg are flourishing and continue to grow.

Buddhism in St. Petersburg and the Gunzechoinei Datsan

Buddhism in St. Petersburg has a long history and continues to thrive to this day. The Gunzechoinei Datsan is the largest and most famous Buddhist temple in the city and is headed by Lama Jampa Donyed Buda Balzhievich Badmaev (head of Gunzechoinei Datsan, Lama Budda Badaevich Mong-hơ-ép (in Russian: Буда Бадаевич Мунхоев).⁷¹

3.1. History of Gunzechoinei Datsan

“Datsan” means “monastery” or “temple” in Buryat and Mongolian Buddhist terminology. “Gunzechoinei” translates as “the source of boundless compassion for all sentient beings,” referring to the benevolent qualities of the bodhisattva Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara), often revered as a compassionate mother figure. Thus, the full name Gunzechoinei Datsan is also rendered as the “Guanyin Temple.”

The walls surrounding the temple are lined with precious purple-red granite tiles, so Gunzechoinei Datsan is also known as the “Amethyst Temple.” This is a unique architectural monument

Lyudmila Klasanova. “Main Buddhist Monastery in St. Petersburg Seeks Help during Pandemic” [Tu viện Phật giáo chính ở Petersburg tìm kiếm sự giúp đỡ trong đại dịch]. Buddhistdoor Global, April 29, 2020. https://www. buddhistdoor.net/news/main-buddhist-monastery-in-st-petersburg-seeks-help- during-pandemic/

built from 1909 to 1913 at the request of Lama Agvan Lobsan Dorzhiev (1853-1938),⁷² a Buryat diplomat and a confidant of the 13th Dalai Lama,⁷³ who successfully petitioned Tsar Nicholas II to allow the construction of a Buddhist temple in the heart of a city with many Orthodox churches and other religions, but no Buddhism. The project was successfully inaugurated in 1915. The first abbot was Бадмаев, БудБальжиевич.⁷⁴

The unique and impressive design of the building, a blend of classical Tibetan tradition and the modern northern Art Nouveau style, designed by architect G.V.Baranovsky, with a facade clad in red-purple quartz granite, has earned

Gunzechoinei Datsan the nickname “Amethyst Temple.”

Initial permission (1909): Lama Agvan Dorzhiev received permission from the Russian Tsar to build a large Buddhist monastery, hoping it would become the residence of Russia’s first Buddhist ruler.

Objections from the Russian Orthodox Church: Construction was significantly delayed due to strong lobbying from the Russian Orthodox Church, which opposed the construction of a “pagan” temple in the country.

Groundbreaking (February 21, 1913): Despite difficulties, the first foundation was poured.

Completion and confirmation (1915): The project was completed in 1915. Tsar Nicholas II confirmed the presence of a team of nine lamas from different regions of Russia (Transbaikalia, Astrakhan, Stavropol) to serve and study at the temple.

“Agvan Dorzhiev.” Wikipedia. Last modified 2024. https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Agvan_Dorzhiev. Accessed January 1, 2026.
Buddhist Temple Datsan https://mindtrip.ai/attraction/st- petersburg-russia/buddhist-temple-datsan-gunzechoinei
Datsan Gunzechoinei Petersburg.” Санкт-Петербургский буддийский храм «Дацан Гунзэчойнэй» (official website). Accessed January 1, 2026. https://dazanspb.ru/

Design: The stained-glass windows were commissioned by renowned artist Nicholas Roerich.

This information sheds light on the challenging historical context of the Gunzechoinei Datsan, from its initial support by the government to its fierce opposition by the mainstream religion of the time.

Here is a summary of key events of the inauguration of the Gunzechoinei Datsan and its turbulent history following the October Revolution of 1917:

The consecration of the Buddha statue (June 9, 1914): Agrand ceremony was held to receive and consecrate two important Buddha statues, a gilded bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, a gift from King Rama VI of Thailand and a standing Maitreya Buddha, a gift from G.A. Planson of the Russian Council in Bangkok.

Official inauguration and naming ceremony (August 10, 1915): The Datsan was officially inaugurated with the name “Gunzechoinei,” which means “The origin of the Buddha’s teachings come from deep compassion for all living beings.”

Nameplate of the Gunzechoinei Datsan. August 16, 2025

Post-1917 period (Russian Revolution):

The monastery was ransacked and appropriated for various purposes.

In 1919 it was taken over and damaged by a Red Army detachment.

Repression of Buddhism (1920s): Despite attempts at repair and restoration around 1922 and 1926, a large-scale repression of Buddhism soon followed throughout the Buddhist-majority regions of Russia (Buryat -Mongolian and Kalmyk).

Monasteries were closed.

Religious property (scriptures, offering items) was confiscated.

Lamas were severely repressed.

In late 1933, the last official Buddhist ceremony was held to honor the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, who had passed away.

1935-1937: Repression and purges—lamas were arrested by the Soviet secret police (Soviet People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs) and sentenced to hard labor.

In 1937, the remaining Buddhists in the city were arrested and summarily executed.

Miraculous preservation during the Siege of Leningrad: The temple was not bombed during the war thanks to lobbying by Buddhist sympathizers within the Ahnenerbe (a Nazi organization for historical and cultural heritage research).

These events marked the end of normal religious activities of the Gunzechoinei Datsan for several decades, until it was returned to the Buddhist community in 1990 amid the profound political and social changes that took place in the former Soviet Union, particularly the perestroika and glasnost policies of Mikhail Gorbachev. These policies led to the loosening of restrictions on religion and the restoration of ownership of

religious property.

Buddhist Revival (1989):

The Buddhist community in St. Petersburg was officially recognized.

His Holiness Kushok Bakula Rinpoche held the first official ceremony after a fifty-year hiatus.

Anniversary and status (2004-2026):

In 2004, the 150th anniversary of Lama Agvan Dorzhiev’s birth was celebrated with great ceremony and with the participation of scholar Robert Thurman.

As of 2026, Gunzechoinei Datsan is actively maintained as a center of practice for scholars and practitioners of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is an important historical site that has survived the darkest periods of Russian history to become a vibrant Buddhist center today.

There is a stone inscription on the wall of Gunzechoinei Datsan that reads:

“Gunzechoinei Datsan is a monument of architecture of the twentieth century under the protection of the government.”

Ven. TN Giới Hương at the three-light gate, Gunzechoinei Datsan. August 16, 2025

Entrance to the main hall of the Gunzechoinei Datsan.

August 18, 2025

Stele from Gunzechoinei Datsan

3.2. Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of Gunzechoinei Datsan Kannam in St. Petersburg, Russia

Celebration of the 100th Anniversary on October 9, 2015: A grand ceremony was held at Gunzechoinei Datsan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding.⁷⁵ The event was attended by leading Buddhist lamas from the Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation (Kalmykia, Buryat, Tuva) led by Venerable Telo Tulku Rinpoche.

Exhibitions: More than 230 artifacts from museums and private collections were on display, including theAvalokiteshvara sand mandala.

Religious symbols: Inside the monastery, the altar was decorated with Kalachakra and Four Guardian Kings symbols.

Historical role of prominent figures: Prince Ukhtomsky, Tsar Nicholas II’s younger brother, a renowned Buddhist and Orientalist scholar, supported and persuaded the Tsar to allow the construction of the temple in 1908; the 13th Dalai Lama

Thích Vân Phong, Russia: 100th anniversary of the founding of the monastery in St. Petersburg Nga: Kỷ niệm 100 năm thành lập tu viện ở St.Petersburg. https://phatgiao.org.vn/nga-ky-niem-100-nam-thanh-lap-tu-vien-o- stpetersburg-d19788.html

contributed considerable funds and religious objects to the construction of the first Buddhist temple in Russia.

Special status: The Gunzechoinei Datsan Guanyin Temple is recognized as a mahakala (large temple) and the northernmost Buddhist monastery in Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church (Русская Православная Церковь) strongly campaigned against the construction of this Buddhist monastery. However, through the determination of the Royal Family and Buddhist followers to overcome significant obstacles, construction resumed on February 21, 1913, and was completed in 1915.

On June 9, 1914, a ceremony was held to welcome two Buddha statues. King Rama VI of Siam (Thailand) presented a gilded bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni (sitting), and the Russian Council in Bangkok happily offered a standing statue of Buddha Maitreya.

Sitting Buddha statue donated

by King Rama VI of Siam of Thailand

Ven. TN Giới Hương in front of the main hall of Datsan Gunzechoinei. August 16, 2025

Stone stela featuring depictions and inscriptions of the

founding lama of the Datsan Gunzechoinei. August 16, 2025

On August 10, 1915, the inauguration ceremony of Gunzechoinei Datsan Monastery was held.

The 13th Dalai Lama (Thubten Gyatso- ) passed away on December 17, 1933 and the funeral was held at Gunzechoinei Datsan.

3.3. Lama Pandito Hambo Itigelov visited the Gunzechoinei Datsan in St. Petersburg to present a gift to the Royal Family

Relations with the Russian Tsarist Romanov Dynasty and tsarist policy:

Although the number of Buddhists in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the twentieth century was only two hundred, the Russian emperors (Romanov Dynasty) always treated Buddhism kindly and supported it. The state even adopted a special document, laying the legal foundation for the development of Buddhism in Russia.

The Lama Pandito Hambo Dash Dorzho Itigelov-Ivolginsk Datsan Buddhist Center, Buryatia; paying respects.

Historical gift: On the 300th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty, Lama Pandito Hambo Dashi-Dorji Itigelov presented Tsar Nicholas II with seven unique gifts.

Exhibit: The Ethnographic Museum in St. Petersburg found and exhibited for the first time these seven gifts at the “Ten Days of Buddhist Culture” items that had been considered missing for a long time.

Comments from Mrs. Alla Namsaraeva:⁷⁶

“Lama Itigelov was the twelfth head of Russian Buddhism. In 1913, he came to St Petersburg from Buryatia, after traveling 6,500 miles to attend the 300th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. The Lama brought gifts for all the members of the Imperial Family. There were three silver gifts and four bronze gifts. The bronze gifts were presented to the princesses.

“The gift for Tsar Nicholas II was a large silver tray, the Empress was given a silver box and the Prince received a Buddha statue. All these gifts were transferred to the Ethnographic Department of the Russian Museum. By mistake, they were considered gifts from the Kalmyks. Recently, while studying the records, one of the museum employees discovered that these artifacts were gifts from Lama Itigelov to the Tsar.”

For Buddhists, the recovery of these gifts is a sacred symbol. In 1927, while meditating, Lama Itigelov Hambo, now known as the “Holy Relic Lama” (incorruptible body), passed away at the age of 75. He was buried on the outskirts of Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. Ten years ago, the coffin with the relics was reburied.

Surprisingly, the body of Itigelov, who, shortly before his death, announced that he would be reincarnated, had very little decomposition. Today, the relics of Lama Pandito Hambo Dashi Dorzho Itigelov are one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism. Three years ago, to protect the precious relics, a special glass

Thích Vân Phong, Russia: 100th anniversary of the founding of the monastery in Petersburg (Nga: Kỷ niệm 100 năm thành lập tu viện ở St.Petersburg).

https://phatgiao.org.vn/nga-ky-niem-100-nam-thanh-lap-tu-vien-o- stpetersburg-d19788.html

palace called the Etigel Arc Palace was built in the Ivolginsk temple. Buddhists can visit the Ivolginsk temple in Buryatia to pay homage to these relics.

3.4. Gunzechoinei Datsan today

Gunzechoinei Datsan Kannon Temple is today a vibrant Buddhist and cultural center, serving both the local Buddhist community and international visitors.

Location: This is the largest Buddhist temple in St. Petersburg, belonging to the Gelug (or Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism.

Cultural links: The temple has close ties to the Republic of Buryatia (Russian Federation), a Buddhist traditional center in Siberia.

Hours: The temple is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm (except Wednesdays, when it is closed to the public).

Spiritual services: It welcome visitors from all over the world to learn about Buddhism and receive spiritual guidance. Lamas perform daily prayers and support those with psychological problems. Lectures, meditations, retreats, cultural events, and annual festivals are organized. The temple is an important tourist attraction and an ideal place to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and the Gelug tradition.

Address: Gunzechoinei Datsan

Primorskiy Prospekt, 91, St. Petersburg, Nga, 197374 Phone: 8 (812) 67−99−108

Website: https://dazanspb.ru/ (chỉ tiếng Nga)

From Cosmos St. Petersburg Pulkovskaya Hotel,⁷⁷ a large hotel with 842 rooms, guests can call a taxi. The price is 630

Cosmos Saint-Petersburg Pulkovskaya Hotel. Radisson Hotels. Accessed January 1, https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson- individuals-st-petersburg-pulkovskaya

Rubles to Gunzechoinei Datsan (ten miles). The driver will take photos and wait for guests for thirty minutes, charging 2,000 rubles ($30 USD).

Ven. TN Giới Hương in the front yard of Gunzechoinei Datsan August 16, 2025

Other Buddhist Centers

In addition to the Gunzechoinei Datsan, St. Petersburg has Buddhist centers of other traditions such as:

4.1. Saint Petersburg Diamond Way Buddhist Center

The first center of this lineage in Russia is in the St. Petersburg, offering the opportunity to learn about the history, philosophy, and practice of Tibetan Buddhism through meditation courses and Dharma talks

Here, in 1992, the first book by the Danish Lama Ole Nydahl translated into Russian was published and in 1994, the first film about the Vajrayana centers was filmed. It was also here that the

first phowa (near-death experience) retreat took place and Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche gave the first empowerment in Russia. The first Russian Buddhist teachers came from the Sangha of the Vajrayana centers.⁷⁸ The Danish Lama Ole Nydahl is famous for being the first European Karma Kagyu Lama. He teaches Vajrayana Buddhism and performs transmissions from mind to mind, when the mind of the disciple becomes identical with the mind of the teacher. The center has branches around the world and in the Russian Federation (in Moscow and other Russian cities).

St. Petersburg Diamond Way Buddhist Center

Address: Nikolskiy Ave. 7-26, St. Petersburg, Russia190068 Phone: +7 (812) 310-01-79

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: http://www.buddhism.ru/mplag/cform.php?t=bc &id=236&lg=en

Homepage: http://www.buddhism.ru/en/centers/sankt-pitersburg/

4.2. Kwan Um Zen Center, St. Petersburg

The website⁷⁹ provides information for those who wish to learn and practice Zen according to the teachings of Zen Master Seung Sahn.

Key information from the website:

Size: Kwan Um Zen School has forty-five centers and groups operating across Europe and the Middle
Purpose: To welcome people to practice meditation to achieve their true nature.

Petersburg Diamond Way Buddhist Center. Karmapa.org. Accessed January 1, 2026. https://www.karmapa.org/centers/saint-peterburg/saint- petersburg-diamond-way-buddhist-center/
“Welcome.” Kwan Um School of Zen Europe. Accessed January 1, 2026. https://www.kwanumeurope.org/welcome/

Information about teachers, practices, and traditions
Schedule of upcoming events
Audio and written Dharma talks

Below is a famous quote from Zen Master Seung Sahn, founder of the Kwan Um School of Zen.

“A state of mind like a child’s mind, holding nothing whatsoever, unencumbered by thoughts, judgments or desires.”

Zen Master Seung Sahn: “If you keep a clear mind, then you will get happiness everywhere. This is complete peace, like a child’s mind, holding nothing. If you have a lot of thinking, only go straight, don’t know; then your thinking will disappear. Zen teaches that you must return to your original mind from moment to moment. We call this Only Don’t Know.”

St. Petersburg Zen Center

Address: Pavlovsk, Molcahova Str. 21/33 189623 St. Petersburg, Russia

Contact: Tretiakovu Vladimiru Phone: (7) 812-465-1113

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Denomination: Korean Chogye Order Lineage: Seung Sahn

Teacher: Wu Bong

Affiliation: Kwan Um School of Zen

Link: https://www.kwanumeurope.org/locations/saint-peters burg-zen-center/

4.3. Dharmaling St. Petersburg (Buddhist Congregation Dharmaling)

Dharmaling is a Buddhist organization approved by the government of Slovenia with branches in St. Petersburg, Russia, and many places around the world. The center is headed by the

Supreme Lama Shenpen Rinpoche, who instructs according to the Buddha’s teachings.

Lama Shenpen Rinpoche was born in western France. From a young age, Kusho-la (his childhood name) displayed an unusual interest in profound philosophical ideas, particularly the concept of reincarnation. Around the age of twelve, he began having vivid visions of his previous life, including detailed landscapes and mountains that were later identified as belonging to his monastery in Tibet.⁸⁰

At the age of sixteen, Rinpoche deeply committed himself to Buddhism when a Tibetan lama, Gendun Rinpoche of the Kagyu tradition, visited his town and gave teachings. Inspired, he soon traveled to Nalanda Monastery near Toulouse, France. Upon seeing monks dressed in traditional Tibetan robes, he was overwhelmed with joy, feeling as though he had finally returned home. This pivotal moment occurred in April 1985. Simultaneously, another significant lama arrived at the monastery, Gomo Tulku. During a private audience, Gomo Tulku interpreted the meaning of Kusho-la’s childhood visions, revealing that he was the reincarnation of a great practitioner from Tibet.

This recognition was subsequently confirmed, beginning in 1992 by several lamas, melong readers (mirror diviners) and an oracle from Dharamsala, India. Kharnang Monastery officially enthroned Kusho-la as Lama Shenpen Rinpoche, acknowledging him as the tulku (reincarnation) of Lama Gendun Rabgye, associated with both Kharnang Monastery and the Sera-Jhe Lhadrel Khangtsen.

In 1990 at the age of twenty-one, Rinpoche received full bhikshu ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala.

Lama Shenpen Website: http://www.dharmaling.org/en/2- uncategorised/90-shenpen-rinpoche

Under the leadership of Shenpen Rinpoche, this Buddhist Congregation Dharmaling in St. Petersburg has its main base in Slovenia and branches in Hungary, Austria, Romania, France, and the Russian Federation (St. Petersburg).

Buddhist Congregation Dharmaling in St. Petersburg Address: St. Petersburg, Russia

Lineage: Tibetan Vajrayana

For more information about St. Petersburg Dharmaling congregation, please

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For the Central Office of Dharmaling in Slovenia, please contact:

Buddhist Congregation Dharmaling Central Office in Slovenia at snail-mail:

Brdce nad Dobrno, Slovenia, email: office @ dharmaling.

org, website: http://www.dharmaling.org

In essence, St. Petersburg is one of the world’s leading hubs of culture, religion, science, and history. Reflecting this rich spiritual diversity are landmarks such as the Gunzechoinei Datsan, an architectural treasure constructed between 1909 and 1915 alongside active Buddhist communities, including the Diamond Way of the Karma Kagyu lineage and the Kwan Um Zen School.

Chapter 5

BUDDHISM IN THE REPUBLIC OF BURYATIA

History of Buryatia
Present-Day Buryatia
History of Buddhism in Buryatia
Buddhism in Buryatia Today
Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University
Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, Head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of the Russian Federation
Relics of the Late Lama Pandito Hambo Itigelov
Buddhist Temples in Buryatia
- Buddhist Center, Ivolginsky Datsan
- Rinpoche Bagsh Datsan
- Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan (Hambyn Hurae)
- Baldan Breybun Datsan (Tsongolsky Datsan)
- Atsagatsky Datsan
- Gandan Datsan
- Gandan-Zhamba-Lin Datsan

Dharma Datsan
Egituysky Datsan
Zungun Darzhaling Datsan Nunnery
Vajrasattva Buddha Palace
Barguzinskiy Datsan
Kurumkan Datsan (Gandan She Duvlin)
Tuddenshaddubchoylin Datsan
Other Temples in Buyatia, Chita, and Irkutsk Oblasts
Museums in Buryatia

* * *

he Republic of Buryatia is a federal subject of Russia (a republic), located in Siberia, with Ulan-Ude as its

capital. The country covers an area of approximately 135,638 square miles with a population of 972,700 (2025 census).⁸¹

History of Buryatia

Flag of Buryatia Coat of arms Buryatia

Estimated population 2025: approximately 970,700 (municipal population, according to the Council of the Russian Federation). https://vi.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Buryatia

The history of the Republic of Buryatia is a centuries-long process, from the period of Mongol domination, annexation into the Russian Empire, until becoming a federal subject of modern Russia.

1.1. Early History and Rule of Mongolia

The territory around Lake Baikal has been inhabited since ancient times. The Buryats, as a distinct Mongol ethnic group, were first mentioned in the thirteenth century in The Secret History of the Mongols, when they were conquered by the armies of Genghis Khan. For centuries thereafter, the Buryats remained attached to the Mongol states, maintaining a semi- nomadic lifestyle and practicing shamanism.

1.2. Russian Expansion and Colonization

The Russian presence in the Buryat territories began in the early seventeenth century with explorers and fur traders. Despite initial resistance, Russia gained control and formally annexed the territory through the Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689 and the Treaty of Kyakhta in 1727. Under Russian rule, Tibetan Buddhism was recognized as an official religion in 1741, becoming an important part of eastern Buryat culture.

Soviet Period

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, a Buryat national movement emerged. The Buryat-Mongolian Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) was established in 1923. During the Stalinist period of the 1930s, the Buryats faced severe repression, including purges of intellectuals, persecution of the Buddhist clergy, and closure of monasteries. The name “Mongolian” was dropped from the ASSR in 1958.

1.4. Post-Soviet period

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a cultural and religious renaissance began. The Buryat ASSR declared sovereignty in 1990 and became the Republic of Buryatia in 1992, a federal subject of the modern Russian Federation. Today, Buryatia

continues to strive to preserve its culture and language within the framework of Russia.

1.5 Republic of Buryatia

The Republic of Buryatia is a federal subject (republic) of the Russian Federation, located in southeastern Siberia, bordering Mongolia. It is a region with a unique blend of Russian and Mongolian-Buddhist culture.

The current head of the Republic of Buryatia is Premier Alexey Tsydenov, whose Russian title is “Glava Respubliki Buryatiya,” which translates literally to “Head of the Republic of Buryatia” or “Premier of the Republic of Buryatia.” He was elected by popular vote on September 10, 2017. The Republic’s parliament is the People’s Khural, which serves a four-year term, has sixty-six deputies and is currently dominated by the ruling party of the Russian Federation, United Russia, which has forty-five seats.⁸²

Present-Day Buryatia

2.1. Geography and Administration

Located in Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District (formerly part of Siberia), the region extends along the eastern and southern shores of Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake in the world. Its capital is Ulan-Ude and it covers an area of approximately 35,638 square miles. The population is estimated at around 985,000, with ethnic Russians comprising the majority and the Buryats forming the largest indigenous ethnic group.

2.2. Politics and Economy

Politics/Regulation: It is a republic within Russia, with its

In Russian, this position is Glava Respubliki Buryatiya (Глава Республики Бурятия), which is translated into English as “Head of the Republic of Buryatia”or “Chief of the Republic of Buryatia.”https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Buryatia

own President and Parliament (People’s Khural), but still obeys the constitution and laws of the Russian Federation.

Economy: The main economic sectors include mineral mining (gold, coal, uranium), agriculture (livestock), forestry and tourism, especially ecotourism around Lake Baikal.

2.3. Culture

Buryatian culture is a rich blend of indigenous Mongolian heritage and Russian influence.

Traditional lifestyle: Historically, Buryatians were semi- nomadic herders, raising cattle, sheep, and horses. Although modern Buryatians now live in urban areas and work in various industries, a strong connection with nature and a nomadic lifestyle still exists in rural areas.

Kinship and community: Family and clan relations are important in Buryat society.

Cuisine: Buryat cuisine is like Mongolian cuisine, with simple, hearty dishes made from meat and dairy products, such as buuz (steamed dumplings) and khuushuur (fried dumplings).

Arts and traditions: Traditional culture includes music, dance, and rich national sports such as Buryat wrestling, archery (sur kharbaan), and horse racing (mori urildaan). Bright, colorful traditional costumes, such as the deel (knee-length cloak), are often worn during festivals.

2.4. Religion

Buryatia is a religiously diverse region where faiths coexist and often blend.

Buddhism: Tibetan Buddhism (specifically “Yellow Buddhism” or Vajrayana Buddhism) is the main religion of the Buryat people and has a strong presence in the region. Ivolginsky Datsan, located near Ulan-Ude, is the spiritual center of Russian Buddhism.

Shamanism: Deeply rooted in traditional Buryat beliefs,

shamanism involves the worship of nature and spirits and continues to be practiced, often alongside or in a form that is integrated with Buddhism.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity: Most of the Russian population in Buryatia is Orthodox.

Syncretism: Many Buryats practice a flexible blend of beliefs, incorporating elements of both Buddhism and shamanism into their spiritual worldview.

Other: A handful of other religious associations, including Muslim and Protestant communities, also exist.

History of Buddhism in Buryatia

The history of Buddhism in Buryatia is a story spanning over 300 years, marking the northernmost expansion of Tibetan Buddhism into Siberia and its resilient survival through historical upheavals.

3.1. Introductory Period (Seventeenth-Eighteenth Century)

Buddhism Began To Enter Buryatia In the seventeenth century, through Mongolian and Tibetan monks and merchants. It quickly merged with indigenous shamanism (Vu religion).

1741: This is an important historical milestone. Russian Empress Elizabeth Petrovna officially recognized Buddhism as one of the official religions of the Russian Empire. This decree allowed the Buryats to build Buddhist monasteries (called datsans) and establish an official religious organization.

Gelugpa: The most firmly established Buddhist tradition is the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect, the same sect as the Dalai Lama.

3.2. Period of Great Development (Nineteenth to Early Twentieth Century)

During this period, Buddhism flourished and became an

indispensable part of Buryat cultural identity.

Datsan system: Dozens of large datsans were built, serving as centers of culture, education, and traditional medicine. These monasteries housed precious scriptures and trained generations of lamas.

Academic center: Buryatia became an important center of Buddhism, attracting scholars and monks from Mongolia and Tibet to study and teach.

3.3. Period of Repression and Decline (Soviet period 1920-1980)

The Soviet period was the darkest period for Buddhism in Buryatia. The atheist communist government carried out large- scale campaigns of religious repression.

Repression and purges: Thousands of lamas were arrested, executed, or sent to Gulag camps.

Destruction of monasteries: Most datsans were closed, destroyed or turned into warehouses.

Virtual disappearance: By the late 1930s, Buddhism had completely disappeared from public life in Buryatia. Only one datsan was allowed to function again after World War II, Ivolginsky Datsan, but was under strict state control.

3.4. Renaissance Period (from Late 1980s to Present)

With Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika policy, Buddhism in Buryatia experienced a strong revival.

Religious freedom: Religious repression ended, and people were free to practice their faith.

Restoration of datsans: Old datsans were rebuilt or restored and new monasteries were also established.

Spiritual center: Ivolginsky Datsan became the spiritual center of Russian Buddhism.

Development: Today, Buddhism is a thriving religion and a

core element in the restoration of Buryat ethnic cultural identity. The history of Buddhism in Buryatia is a testament to the strong vitality of a religion that has overcome harsh challenges to survive and develop.

Buddhism in Buryatia Today

Buddhism in Buryatia is the northernmost branch of Vajrayana Buddhism of the Gelug (also known as the “Yellow Hat”) tradition originating from Tibet. It has been practiced there for four centuries and plays a meaningful role in the culture and spiritual life of the Buryats.

Buddhism in Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia (Russian Federation), plays a crucial role and the city is considered the largest Buddhist center in Russia. Buddhist culture is deeply rooted in the spiritual life of the local people.

Lama Dr. Bayashalan, a monk associated with the University, and Ven. TN Giới Hương at the entrance of the Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University. September 19, 2025

Characteristics of Buryatian Buddhism:

Main sect is Gelugpa: Buryats follow the Gelug sect, known for its emphasis on strict monastic discipline and yellow robes (hence the name “Yellow Hat sect”). They revere its founder, Tsongkhapa, as being on a par with Buddha Shakyamuni.

Cultural integration: Buryatian Buddhism has absorbed and assimilated traditional Tibetan and Mongolian folk rituals and practices, especially beliefs related to shamanism (Vu religion). The worship of local gods and spirits—mountain, river, tree gods—is incorporated into the Buddhist religious system.

Spiritual center: Ivolginsky Datsan is the main Buddhist center in Russia and the headquarters of the Buddhist Sangha. It is a large monastic complex with many architectural structures, including a Buddhist university.

Post-Soviet revival: After the period of repression under the Soviet Union, Buddhism in Buryatia has strongly revived, becoming an important part in restoring the cultural and spiritual identity of the local people. Buddhism, along with Shamanism, has left a deep mark on the culture and soul of the Buryat people.

Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University

Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University is located on the vast grounds of the Ivolginsky (Ivolginsky Datsan), fourteen miles from the capital, Ulan-Ude.

Thai Tashi Chokhor Ling, meaning “Land of the Auspicious Wheel of Dharma,” is an important Buddhist higher education center and the most auspicious energy source in the Russian Federation.

Function: This is the first Buddhist university in Russia, established with the aim of training generations of Buddhist monks and scholars.

Curriculum: The university offers undergraduate Buddhist education, focusing on areas such as Buddhist philosophy, traditional Tibetan medicine, and Tantra.

Significance: The establishment of this university marks an important turning point in the Buddhist renaissance in post- Soviet Russia, restoring the tradition of Buddhist education that had been interrupted during decades of religious repression.

In summary, Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University is not a separate temple but a higher educational institution located within the Ivolginsky Datsan Buddhist Center complex.

On the wall are pictures of Lamas of the Dashi Choinkhorling

Buddhist University, Buryatia. September 19, 2025

Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, Head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of the

Russian Federation

His Holiness Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev (born September 1, 1962) is a Russian Vajrayana Buddhist Lama, currently the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Head of the Buddhist Republic of Buryatia and President of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia (BTSR). He has played a central role in the revival of Buddhism in Buryatia in the post-Soviet period.

6.1. Biography and Training

Birthplace: Born into a Buryat-Mongolian family in the village of Bursomon, Chita Oblast (now Zabaykalsky Krai), former Soviet Union.

Secular education: After graduating from Petrovsk- Zabaykalsky Pedagogical College in 1980, he worked as a teacher at a secondary school.

Religious turning point: In 1983, with the recommendation of the Aginsky Datsan, he was admitted to the Zanabazar Buddhist University in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In 1988, he graduated with a major in Traditional Tibetan Medicine.

Early career: After graduating, he became the head of Soviet students at a Mongolian university and later served as Amchi Lama (holistic health care provider) at the Ivolginsky Datsan in Buryatia.

Monastic revival: In 1991, he was appointed Shireete Lama (abbot) at Baldan Breybun Datsan. This was the first monastery to be restored after the collapse of the Soviet Union, marking his pioneering role in the revival of Buddhism.

6.2. Russian Buddhist Leadership

Highest Lama Damba B. A., Lama Dr. Bayashalan,

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Mrs. Ninh Hải at office of President.

September 19, 2025

Election: On April 28, 1995, Damba Ayusheev was elected the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama and President of the Central Body of Buddhism of the Russian Federation (later renamed the Russian Buddhist Traditional Church).

Highest Lama Damba B. A. presents a gift

to Ven. TN Giới Hương at the Supreme Patriarch’s office.

September 19, 2025

Role and influence: Since his election in 1995, Khambo Lama Damba Ayusheev has served as the head of Russia’s largest Buddhist organization, the Buddhist Traditional Community of Russia. He has been re-elected multiple times, with his most recent re-election in 2023 extending his leadership until 2028.

Policy: He is known for his efforts to revive the traditional culture and economy of the Buryat people, promoting cattle breeding to maintain a rural lifestyle and national identity.

He maintains close ties with the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin and has received state awards for his contributions.

The most notable event of his tenure was the exhumation and exhibition of the incorrupt body of the late twelfth Hambo Lama Itigelov in 2002, a phenomenon that is said to have boosted faith and interest in Buddhism.

Ayusheev is a hugely influential figure, both as a spiritual leader and as a shaper of contemporary Buryat Buddhist cultural identity within the Russian state.

Relics of the Late Lama Pandito Hambo Itigelow

The body relics or the Incorruptible Body of the Great Master Pandito Khambo Lama Dashi Dorzho Itigelov is one of the most mysterious and sacred phenomena of Russian Buddhism, considered as “full body relics.” This phenomenon has astonished both the scientific and Buddhist communities, as his body has remained perfectly preserved—resembling that of a living person—decades after burial, showing no traces of decomposition or desiccation.

7.1. Life and Testament

Birth and career: Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov (1852-1927) was the twelfth Hambo Lama, the supreme leader of Russian Buddhism from 1911 to 1917. He was a learned scholar of medicine and Buddhist philosophy.

Relics of the holy body of Great Master Pandito Khambo Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov. September 19, 2025.

Passing away in meditation posture: In 1927, when he felt that he was about to pass away, Itigelov sat in the lotus position, entered meditation, and asked his disciples to bury him in that position. He also left a will that after thirty years, his disciples should exhume his body.

Special burial: His body was placed in a wooden box, buried in a meditation posture and wrapped in silk.

7.2. Discovery and Scientific Verification

His last words were carried out twice. The first time (1957), monks secretly exhumed the body and found it intact. Fearing religious persecution by the Soviet government at the time, they reburied it. The second time (2002), under the witness of monks, government officials, and forensic experts, Itigelov’s body was exhumed again. The results surprised everyone:

Intact state: The body shows no signs of decay—the muscles, soft tissues and joints are still soft and movable, like a person who died 36 hours ago.

No embalming: Scientific tests found no traces of embalming or artificial preservatives.

A phenomenon defying explanation: Russian scientists have acknowledged it as an “extraordinary Itigelov phenomenon,” one that contemporary science is unable to explain.

7.3. Religious Significance

For Buryat Buddhists and the world Buddhist community, this phenomenon is considered a miracle, a testament to the ability to attain enlightenment and the transcendence of meditation. His body is revered as a sacred treasure and is currently enshrined at the Ivolginsky Datsan, the Buddhist Center of Russia, for Buddhists and visitors from all over to come and venerate.

Ven. TN Giới Hương in front of the relics of Great Master Pandito Khambo Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov.

September 19, 2025

Buddhist Temples in Buryatia

In the Republic of Buryatia, Buddhist religious establishments are called datsans (monasteries or meditation centers). There are currently at least twenty-eight datsans operating throughout Buryatia. Below is a list of the ten most prominent and important datsans:

8.1. Buddhist Center (Ivolginsky Datsan)

Fourteen miles from the capital of Ulan-Ude, built at the foot of Khamar Hill, the Buddhist Center, Ivolginsky Monastery System (Ivolginsky Datsan) is the headquarters of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, the most important Buddhist center and the spiritual heart of the Buryat Buddhist community and the entire Russian Federation.

Front gate of Ivolginsky Datsan Monastery System.

September 19, 2025

This great monastery is a large complex including Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University, Ivolginsky Datsan, Datsan Khambyn Khure Devajin Dugan, sacred temples (dugans), stupas, a library, monks’ quarters, a publishing house, library, chapel, conference room, and a place to venerate the holy relics (incorruptible body) of the late Lama Pandito Hambo Itigelov.

Lama Dr. Bayashalan, Venerable Nun TN Giới Hương and Mrs. Ninh Hải in front of the gate of the Datsan main hall, Khambayn Khure Devajin Dugan, Buryatia, in the Ivolginsky Datsan complex. September 19, 2025

8.1.1. Location and History

Location: The monastery is located fourteen miles southwest of the capital, Ulan-Ude of the Republic of Buryatia.

Foundation: Founded in 1945, shortly after World War II, this is one of the two rare datsans that were allowed to operate again under the control of the Soviet government after decades of religious repression.

Revival: After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the monastery flourished and became the center of the Buddhist revival in Russia.

8.1.2. Religious and Cultural Significance

Center of Power: Ivolginsky Datsan is the residence and workplace of the Pandito Khambo Lama, the head of Russian Buddhism.

Education: This is where the Dashi Choinkhorling Buddhist University, the first and most important Buddhist university in Russia, is located, where lamas and Buddhist scholars are trained.

Architecture: The monastery complex includes temples (dugans), libraries, guest accommodations. and traditional Mongolian-Tibetan architectural works, notable for their vibrant colors and curved roofs.

A corner of the Ivolginsky Datsan complex.

September 19, 2025

8.1.3. The Most Sacred Treasure, the Incorruptible Body of Itigelov

The most renowned and sacred site of Ivolginsky Datsan is the incorruptible body of the twelfth Hambo Lama, Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov. His body, discovered intact after seventy-five years of burial (in 2002) without any signs of decomposition, is preserved in a glass frame so that Buddhists can come to see him in the flesh and pay homage. This is considered a great miracle of Buddhism.

8.2. Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan

Venerable TN Giới Hương and Mrs. Ninh Hải in front of Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan. September 18, 2025

Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan Complex. September 18, 2025

Located on the slopes of Lysaya Mountain near Ulan-Ude, this monastery complex was founded in 2000 with the blessing of the 14th Dalai Lama. It contains a towering nineteen-foot high bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan is an important Buddhist center and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, Russia.

Location: The monastery is located on the slopes of Lysaya (Bald Mountain) on the northern outskirts of Ulan-Ude. This elevated position offers stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding area.

Establishment: Datsan Rinpoche Bagsha is a new monastery, founded in 2000 with the blessing of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. It officially opened to the public in 2004.

Founder: The monastery was founded by the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) monk, Yeshe Lodoy Rinpoche (commonly known as Yelo Rinpoche), who is the current abbot.

Venerable TN Giới Hương in front of the Buddha Statue Datsan Rinpoche Bagsha Main Hall. September 18, 2025

Purpose: The main purpose of the monastery is to preserve and propagate the teachings of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, which is the main tradition of the Buryat people.

Architecture: The monastery features modern Tibetan Buddhist architecture, highlighted by vibrant colors and intricate decorative details.

Buddha statue: The main hall of the monastery houses a bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha standing nearly twenty feet.

Complex: Within the monastery grounds, there are eight stupas symbolizing the enlightened mind of the Buddha, and a Buddhist university where lamas and laypeople can study.

Name: The name of the monastery is very meaningful: datsan is a monastery, Rinpoche is a respectful title for reincarnated masters or learned scholars and bagsha is the Buryat word for teacher, so this monastery is Rinpoche Bagsh Datsan.

8.3. Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan (Hambyn Hurae)

Ven. TN Giới Hương presents a gift to Lama Dr. Bayashalan in front the Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan gate.

September 19, 2025

Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan, officially Datsan Khambyn Khure Tsogchen Dugan, is the second residence of Lama Pandito Khambo and an important Buddhist architectural complex located in Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia, Russia.

The datsan complex, established in 1994, includes pagodas, stupas, main halls, lama residences, and is also home to the region’s first monastery dedicated to Kalachakra (Turners of the Wheel of Dharma). Lama doctors also treat the people using traditional Tibetan-Buryatian-Chinese medicine.

Lama Dr. Bayashalan taking the pulse and prescribing medicine for Ven. TN Giới Hương at Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan. September 19, 2025

While the Datsan Ivolginsky Grand Monastery is famous as the official center of the Buddhist Traditional Church of the Russian Federation (twelve miles away), Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan serves as an important secondary spiritual site and is the site of religious ceremonies and practices.

The datsan is a destination for both pilgrims and tourists interested in the region’s Buddhist culture and architecture.

Address: Verkhnyaya Beryozovka, 10a, Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. It is located near the Ethnographic Museum of Trans-Baikal Peoples.

Hours: The complex is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

How to get there: Verkhnyaya Berezovka is five miles from the center of Ulan-Ude. The minibus (marshrutka) number thirty-seven from the city center passes within half a mile of the datsan.

Phone: +7-9025-62-42-90 or +7-914-635-55-96.

Nearby attractions:

Ethnographic Museum of the Peoples of Transbaikalia: One of Russia’s largest open-air museums, showcasing traditional architecture and an animal enclosure.

Datsan Rinpoche Phowa: Another Buddhist temple complex located nearby on Bald Mountain, with panoramic views of Ulan-Ude.

A corner of Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan.

September 19, 2025

8.4. Baldan Breybun Datsan (Tsongolsky Datsan)

The seventeenth-century Datsan Baldan Breybun (also known as Tsongolsky Monastery or Murochi Datsan) is a Buddhist monastery of historical importance in the development of Russian Buddhism.

Location: Tsongolsky Monastery (Baldan Breybun Datsan) is located on the bank of the Chikoy River at the foot of Khumen Khan Mountain, near the village of Murochi, forty-two miles from the city of Kyakhta, in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia.

Name: The Tibetan name “Baldan-Braybun” means “Collection of Perfect Achievements.”

History: The monastery was founded in 1731 by Lama Damba Darzha Zayayev and is the oldest Buddhist monastery in the Russian Empire. The initial monastery began in a yurt- like structure.

In 1741, the decree of the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna officially recognized eleven datsans (monasteries), of which Baldan-Braybun was the first to be recognized.

The monastery was destroyed during the Soviet era.

In October 1994, the main hall was rebuilt on the old foundations and reopened in a solemn ceremony. From there, Buddhism spread to the territory of the Russian Empire.

Religious significance: Datsan Baldan Breybun (Tsongolsky Monastery) is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists in the region. The Zandan Zhuu (a sandalwood Buddha statue, considered one of the most sacred relics of Russian Buddhism) was moved from a museum to this monastery after restoration.

8.4.1. Historical Significance

The first official datsan, Datsan Baldan Breybun (Tsongolsky Monastery) is considered the first Buddhist monastery complex in the Russian Empire to be officially recognized by the state. The first services began in 1741 in a large felt tent (yurt) and wooden buildings were built around 1758.

Center of power: In the early period of Buryat Buddhism, there was a struggle for influence between Tsongolsky Datsan and Tamchinsky Datsan. In 1764, the head lama of Tsongol Datsan, Damba Darja Zayaev, became the first Pandito Khambo Lama (Supreme Lama) of the Trans-Baikal Buryats, cementing the monastery’s early spiritual center.

Cultural center: Before it was closed during the Soviet repression of the 1930s, the Datsan was an important educational center, with painting and sculpture workshops and a place for teaching philosophy, logic, and Tantra.

8.4.2. Modern Status

The monastery was destroyed during the Soviet era but was restored and reopened as part of the Buddhist cultural renaissance in Buryatia.

Current role: Today, the Datsan Baldan Breybun Monastery (Tsongolsky Monastery) functions as an active spiritual destination for the local community and pilgrims, although the main center of Russian Buddhism is now the Ivolginsky Monastery. The current head of Russian Buddhism, Supreme Patriarch Khambo Lama Damba Ayusheev, served as the Shireete Lama (Abbot) of the restored monastery in the early 1990s, playing a key role in its revival.

8.5. Atsagatsky Datsan

Located in the picturesque Naryn-Atsagat Valley, thirty- five miles from Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia, the Atsagatsky Monastery was built in 1991 with traditional wooden architecture, white walls, and golden roofs typical of Buryatia-Mongolian Buddhist monasteries. This Atsagatsky Monastery was visited and consecrated by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The original temple dates to the late nineteenth century. The main hall of the Atsagatsky Monastery (formerly the Kurbinsky Monastery) was built in 1825 and was restored in 1991. Before the 1930s, this was also the Buddhist center of Buryatia. In 1936, the Kurbinsky Monastery was closed, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union the monastery reopened with a new name, Atsagatsky Monastery.

.The Lama of Atsagatsky with Ven. TN Giới Hương, Mrs. Ninh Hải and a Buddhist of Datsan Nunnery Zungun Darzhaling, photographed in the middle of the Naryn-Atsagat Valley behind the quiet Atsagatsky Monastery. September 20, 2025

Seven miles from Atsagatsky Datsan is the village of Khara- Shibir, the birthplace of Lama Agvan Dorzhiev.

Lama Agvan Lobsan Dorzhiev (1853-1938) was a Russian monk of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, sometimes known by his scholarly title, Tsenyi Khempo. He is revered by Tibetans as Sokpo Tsеnshab Ngawang Lobsang (literally Tsenshab Ngavang Lobsang in Mongolian).

The lama was a Khory Buryat, born in the village of Khara- Shibir (not far from Ulan-Ude, east of Lake Baikal), He was a classmate and close confidant of the 13th Dalai Lama, serving as a minister in the Tibetan government during his reign and as a key diplomatic envoy who helped facilitate communication between the Tibetan government and the Russian Empire.

As a result, the lama became a legendary figure among Tibetans, while simultaneously arousing serious concern within the British Empire over growing Russian influence in Tibet at the close of the geopolitical contest. He is also remembered for constructing the Gunzechoinei Datsan in St. Petersburg in 1909 and for signing the Tibet-Mongolia Treaty in 1913.

Lama Dorzhiev is known as a scholar of Buddhism and Tibetan culture and the teacher of His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. His wooden hermitage was rebuilt in a beautiful pine and larch forest near a mineral spring, two miles from the Atsagatsky Monastery. It was here that he founded the only Tibetan medical school in Russia.

8.5.1. Foundation and Development Year of Establishment:

Atsagat Datsan (official name Tubden Darzhaling) was founded in 1825 in the village of Naryn-Atsagat.

Medical center: The monastery became famous as a center for teaching and practicing traditional Tibetan medicine. Local herbs, especially the aromatic herb Aya Ganga, were widely used in medicine and were included in the Atlas of Tibetan Medicine.

Residence of scholars: This site was home to several renowned scholars and lamas who resided and worked here for many years, notably Agvan Dorzhiev, a prominent tutor and close advisor to the 13th Dalai Lama and Choynzon Dorji Iroltuyev, an esteemed practitioner of Tibetan medicine who later served as personal physician to the family of Tsar Nicholas II.

8.5.2. Historical Events

Soviet period: Like most other monasteries in Buryatia, Atsagat Datsan was closed and destroyed by the Soviet authorities in August 1936. Many monks were persecuted and their property was confiscated. During the years of repression, the local people hid thousands of Buddha statues and scriptures to protect their religious heritage.

Restoration: The monastery was re-established and reopened in 1992, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the introduction of religious freedom.

8.5.3. Atsagat Datsan Today

Today, Atsagat Datsan has been restored and is a sacred place for Buddhist monks, nuns, and visitors.

Wax statue: The monastery displays a life-size wax statue of the 14th Dalai Lama, who visited this Atsagatsky Monastery complex.

Wax figures of the Dalai Lamas in the Museum of Atsagatsky Monastery, Buryatia. September 20, 2025

Museum: Nearby there is a village museum that houses original artifacts of the prominent scientists and Lama Agvan Dorzhiev who studied at the Atsagat monastery.

Tourism: The tourist complex “Stepnoy Kochevnik” (Steppe Nomads) near the Atsagatsky Monastery offers a traditional Buryat cultural experience, allowing visitors stay in yurts and learn about the local way of life.

8.6. Gandan Datsan

Next to the Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan Monastery complex (also known as Hambyn Hurae) in Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia, stands the Gandan Datsan.

Lama Dr. Bayashalan and Ven.TN Giới Hương at Gandan Datsan. September 19, 2025

Venerable TN Giới Hương and Mrs. Ninh Hải at Gandan Datsan. September 19, 2025

Abbot (left), Venerable TN Giới Hương (right) along with Chairwoman and member of the community Gandan Datsan.

September 19, 2025

8.7. Gandan-Zhamba-Lin Datsan

Gandan-Zhamba-Lin Datsan (also known as Gandan- Zhamba-Lin Buddhist Monastery) is a monastery located in the city of Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, Russian Federation.

Ven. TN Giới Hương at the three-entrance gate of Gandan- Zhamba-Lin Datsan. September 20, 2025

Location: This pagoda is in the urban area of Ulan-Ude, creating a contrast between Buddhist traditional architecture and the surrounding modern high-rise apartment buildings.

Architecture: The datsan is built in the traditional Buryat- Mongolian Buddhist architectural style, featuring a bright red surrounding wall and a large entrance gate with an Asian-style curved roof.

Gandan-Zhamba-Lin Datsan sign. September 20, 2025

Spiritual center: Gandan-Zhamba-Lin is one of the active Buddhist revere and practice sites in Buryatia. It serves the spiritual needs of the local Buddhist community for peace, liberation, and Dharma teachings.

Community service: Like other datsans in the region, the temple holds regular ceremonies, praying for peace, prosperity and health.

Tourist attraction: Thanks to its convenient location in the city, the temple also attracts tourists and those interested in Buryat culture and religion.

Main hall of Gandan-Zhamba-Lin Datsan. September 20, 2025

8.8. Dharma Datsan

Dharma Datsan (or Dharma Buddhist Monastery) is a monastery complex located in the city of Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, Russian Federation.

Ven. TN Giới Hương at the front of Dharma Datsan.

September 20, 2025

Location: This pagoda is in a modern residential area of Ulan- Ude, built among high-rise apartment blocks, demonstrating the integration of Buddhism into modern urban life.

Architecture: Dharma Datsan stands out with its modern architectural style combining traditional Buryat-Mongolian and Tibetan elements. The building has a multi-story structure with bright red accents, Asian-style curved roofs, and gilded decorative details.

Dharma Datsan sign. September 20, 2025

Local Buddhist center: This is an active spiritual center, serving the practice and practice needs of the Buddhist community living in and around Ulan-Ude.

Sightseeing: Dharma Datsan is also a popular destination for tourists who want to learn about the unique religious and cultural life of Buryatia, where Eastern Buddhism and Russian influence intersect.

Main hall of Dharma Datsan. September 20, 2025

8.9. Egituysky Datsan

Egituysky Datsan is an important Buddhist monastery in Buryatia, famous for housing the Datsan Shakyamuni Zandan Zhuu (Agarwood Buddha Shakyamuni), one of the most sacred treasures of world Buddhism.

Location: The monastery is in the Yeravninsky District of the Republic of Buryatia, approximately 174 miles east of the capital, Ulan-Ude.

Establishment: The monastery was founded in 1820 and officially recognized in 1826.

Current status: The monastery was closed and destroyed in 1937 during the Soviet era of religious repression but was restored and reopened after 1991.

Supreme Treasure (Zandan Zhuu): The main attraction of the monastery is the sandalwood statue of Buddha Shakyamuni (Zandan Zhuu). According to legend, this is the only statue carved during the Buddha’s lifetime and is considered to have extraordinary spiritual power. “Datsan Shakyamuni Zandan Zhuu” is not the name of a monastery, but the name of this legendary sandalwood statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. This statue is one of the most sacred treasures of Buddhism in Russia.

Today, Egituysky Datsan is an important pilgrimage center, attracting Buddhists and tourists to practice and learn about the unique Buddhist history and culture of Buryatia.

Information about Zandan Zhuu Statue Material: The statue is carved from sandalwood.

Meaning of the name: “Zandan Zhuu” in Buryat means “Sandalwood Buddha.”

National treasure: The statue is highly revered by the Buryat people and is honored as a treasure of Russian Buddhism.

Date: According to Buddhist legend, the statue was carved by order of King Udayana around the fifth century BC, when the Buddha was preaching in Trayatrimsa heaven to his mother, Queen Maya.

Significance: The statue is considered to have the power to bestow boundless blessings, bring good luck and answer the prayers of Buddhists. In the Buryat Buddhist tradition, the statue is considered a living embodiment of the Buddha.

History of migration: The statue has had a legendary journey over the centuries, from India to Central Asia, China, and finally to the hands of Mongolian and Buryat lamas.

Current site: The Zandan Zhuu Statue is currently enshrined and preserved at the Egituysky Monastery (Egituysky Datsan), a Buddhist monastery located in the Yeravninsky District of the Republic of Buryatia.

During the period of religious repression in the Soviet Union, the statue was safely hidden and later moved to the Buryatia History Museum in Ulan-Ude. In 1991, the statue was returned to the Buddhist community by the Russian authorities and solemnly enshrined at Egituysky Datsan. Therefore, the correct name of the monastery that houses this statue is Egituysky Datsan.

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Buryatia Buddhists offer sacred items to the Stupa under construction at Egituysky Datsan on September 20, 2025.

8.10. Zungon Darzhaling Datsan Nunnery

Zungon Darzhaling Datsan is a Buddhist nunnery located in Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russian Federation, a region in Siberia with a strong Buddhist heritage and a traditional place of Buddhist practice as 60 percent of the population are Buddhists. The nunnery operates as a Buddhist monastery for women and is the only known nunnery in three republics (Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia) and even the entire Russian Federation.

Address: Ulan-Ude, Oktyabrsky district, St. Klyuchevskaya,

Ven. TN Giới Hương chanting with lay female lamas at the Zungon Darzhaling Datsan Temple. September 18, 2025

Circumstances leading to establishment: The establishment of the nunnery was prompted by Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, during his visit to Ulan-Ude, where he noticed that while the temple had many monks, there was no place for nuns. He recommended creating a temple for female Buddhists to practice. In response, the parents of Zorigma Budaeva, a laywoman who had studied in spiritual educational institutions in Mongolia, purchased land and founded the Zungon Darzhaling Datsan Nunnery, which has been in operation since 1991.

The two founders have passed away and Zorigma is now the abbot, with six female lamas currently practicing regularly.

The monastic life and role of lay lamas at the Zungon Darzhaling Datsan Nunnery in Buryatia, Russia:

Lineage and tradition of practice: These lamas follow the Mongolian/Tibetan (Gelugpa) tradition, keeping the five basic precepts of laypeople, different from the Northern Bhiksuni tradition. They keep their hair and have a normal family life.

Activities and roles in the community: They participate in rituals, chant prayers for peace and salvation, and teach the Dharma. The abbot, Zorigma Budaeva,

oversees leading the rituals and teaching and plays a key role in advising and sharing sensitive issues with local women.

Social structure and spiritual needs: Men are generally regarded as the heads of the household, while women are seen as having stronger spiritual inclinations and often visit the nunnery to seek guidance, share experiences, and receive advice.

This information highlights the diversity of Buddhist traditions and practices worldwide, as well as the vital role that Buddhist nunneries play in the lives of local communities.

Opinions of the Great Bishops on the Buddhist character of the Russian Federation⁸³

The Supreme Patriarch of the All-Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha (Ivolginsky Datsan, Buryatia), His Holiness Damba Badmaevich Ayusheev, said:

“The position of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha is as follows:

Regarding recognition of ordination abroad, the Sangha does not object to Buddhist women seeking full ordination

The author, Venerable Nun TN Giới Hương, had the opportunity to visit, make offerings and interview four lamas and dignitaries of the Russian Traditional

(especially bhikkhunis) in countries with this tradition such as Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan (in the Mahayana/Dharmapada tradition) or India....

“In regard to lack of official recognition in Russia, although ordination abroad is accepted spiritually or personally, bhikkhunis are not yet officially recognized within the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia due to the lack of historical precedent and the controversy over the Vinaya in the Tibetan tradition regarding the restoration of the ordination.

“I wish the female lamas and nuns in Buryatia and around the world who have committed to monastic life to have strong legs and soft stones on the path of practice and to achieve the ultimate depth of the path of religion.”

His Excellency the Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Church and Head of the International Buddhist Diplomacy, His Excellency Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev V. shared that regarding establishing a large Buddhist school in Moscow in 2026: “This shows that Russian Buddhism is making strong developments and has a strategic vision for training both monks, nuns and Buddhists, regardless of gender or skin color.”

Regarding separate subjects for women and encouragement of ordination, he said: “There will be separate subjects for women and the desire for more women to study and even practice ordination shows that the Church or related Buddhist organizations are proactively creating conditions and promoting the formation of the nuns’ order in the future.”

The Supreme Lama of the Republic of Tuva, His Holiness Natsyk Dorju, Abbot of Tubten Shedrub Ling Datsan Monastery in Tuva said:
Regarding the presence of Tuva nuns in India: “Currently,

Buddhism to ask for their opinions on women and received their answers as above. Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have illustrations.

Tuva has eight to nine Tuvan nuns studying and receiving ordination in India according to the Tibetan tradition, which is a positive sign. This shows that Tuva Buddhist women are actively seeking opportunities for intensive study in the center of Tibetan Buddhism (Dharamsala, India), where there is direct support from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and major monasteries.”

Regarding potential for restoring the Kyzyl Nunnery: “The information about a nunnery in Kyzyl (capital of Tuva) which is currently closed but is planned to be restored when these nuns return from their studies in India shows that the foundation is already in place for the development of the local nuns’ ”
Regarding when the nuns return with full Bhikkhuni ordination with solid knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings: “They will be the core element to restore and run the Tuva nuns’ They will encourage and guide local Buddhist women to become nuns.”

Ven. TN Giới Hương, Mrs. Ninh Hải with female Lamas at Zungon Darzhaling Datsan. September 18, 2025

The Supreme Lama of the Republic of Kalmykia, Geshe

Tenzin Choidak, Abbot of Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Datsan Monastery (Kalmykia) spoke about highlighting the contradiction between idealistic desires and real life. He focused on the barriers of secular life and made the following comments:

“The biggest obstacle for Buddhist women to become monks is the constraints of family, husband, children, and work. This is a common challenge that all Buddhist traditions face when encouraging laypeople to give up the world.”

He further commented on age and health: “Once they have fulfilled their family responsibilities and retired, women may no longer have the health and mental clarity to pursue a serious path of study and practice, which requires a lot of effort in morality, concentration, and wisdom.”

Situation in Kalmykia-Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Datsan: The main Golden Temple in Kalmykia is an important Buddhist center. The fact that female lamas have studied there and are currently studying in Mongolia and India is another positive sign, as is the case in Tuva. This shows that the effort and encouragement to train nuns is real.

Gender disparity in monasteries: Although laywomen outnumber men in monasteries (this is quite common in many countries), in reality, the lamas and monastics in monasteries in the Russian Federation are primarily men (while in Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea, the United States there are more nuns, some with their own monasteries). This clearly reflects the imbalance in the number of monks and nuns in the Tibetan tradition in Russia.

General summary of the prospects for nuns in Russia: Russian Buddhism is currently experiencing a strong revival after the Soviet era. However, the local Tibetan tradition does not yet have a fully established Bhiksuni Sangha, due to historical disruptions. In addition, family and work obligations make it challenging for women to become nuns while they are young

and in good health

Prospects and efforts: Buddhist centers in Russia actively encourage women to study abroad and demonstrate strong initiative in supporting their Dharma education. They have successfully created new opportunities, such as plans to establish a school in Moscow in 2026 and to revive nunneries in Tuva. The dedication and enthusiasm of female Buddhists form a strong foundation for the future growth of the womens’ monastic community.

It is hoped that with the current efforts, the image of female lamas and bhikkhunis in the Buddhist republics of Russia will become more widespread and balanced in the future.

Zungon Darzhaling Datsan Nunnery is an active female datsan in Buryatia, Russia, contributing to the cultural and religious diversity of the region.

Ven.TN Giới Hương and female lamas of the Buryatia Nunnery walking meditation. September 18, 2025

Additional information about women monastics in Russia can be found in the following two articles from Buddhistdoor Global, an online Buddhist journal:

“The Only Female Buddhist Monastery in Russia,” by

Lyudmila Klasanova (https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/ the-only-female-buddhist-monastery-in-russia/) and “Interview with Zorigma Budaeva: Abbess of the Only Female Buddhist Monastery in Russia,” by Lyudmila Klasanova (https://www>. buddhistdoor.net/features/interview-with-zorigma-budaeva- abbess-of-the-only-female-buddhist-monastery-in-russia/)

8.11. Vajrasattva Buddha Palace

Vajrasattva Buddha Palace is the official name of Khilgantuysky Datsan Monastery in the Kyakhtinsky District of the Republic of Buryatia, Russia.

Overview and history:

Location: The monastery is in the village of Khilgantui, Kyakhtinsky District, Republic of Buryatia, Russia.

The name “Palace of Vajrasattva Buddha” emphasizes paying homage to Vajrasattva in the Tibetan Buddhist Tantric tradition.

Historical Heritage: This is an extremely important site in the history of Russian Buddhism, as it is the site of the first wooden Buddhist temple in Buryatia.

First residence: Since 1741, it has been the first official residence of the state-recognized Pandito Khambo Lama, Supreme Patriarch, head of Russian Buddhism.

Restoration: The original monastery was destroyed during the Soviet repressions. The current building is a reconstruction and was officially reopened on September 30, 2019, marking the revival of this historic site.

Khilgantuysky Monastery is a sacred place, attracting Buddhists and tourists to honor and learn about the early history of Buddhism in the Trans-Baikal region.

8.12. Barguzinskiy Datsan

Barguzinsky Datsan is a Buddhist monastery located in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia, in the foothills of the Barguzin

Mountains. Although not as famous as the Ivolginsky Monastery or Tamchinsky Datsan, it is still an important spiritual place in the region.

Location: It is located in the Barguzinsky district of Buryatia, near the village of Ust-Barguzin, on the northeastern shore of Lake Baikal. The area is famous for its unspoiled natural beauty, close to the Barguzin Nature Reserve.

Architecture: The monastery is built in the traditional Buryat style. A special feature is the path leading through the forest to a sacred rock where Buddhists regularly perform prayer rituals.

Role: It is a local religious center, serving the Buddhist community living along the Barguzin River Valley and the shores of Lake Baikal. The monastery is part of the Buddhist revival in Buryatia after the Soviet era. Datsan Barguzinsky is often visited by tourists in combination with exploring the majestic natural landscape of the Barguzin region and Lake Baikal.

Kurumkan Datsan Monastery (Gandan She Duvlin)

Kurumkan Datsan (Gandan She Duvlin) is a Buddhist monastery located in the village of Kurumkan, Kurumkan District, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. The entire official name is “Gandan She Duvlin Datsan.” The Buryat name is “Kurumkan Khuree.”

Location: It’s in the remote part of the Barguzin Valley, an area famous for its unspoiled nature and close to the majestic Barguzin Mountains.

Establishment: The monastery was originally founded in 1818.

Turbulent history: Like other religious establishments in Russia, the monastery was closed and destroyed during the Soviet-era religious persecutions of the 1930s.

Restoration: The monastery was restored and reopened by the local community and Buddhist sangha in the post-Soviet

period, as part of the Buryat cultural and religious revival.

Current role: Today, the Kurumkan Datsan Monastery serves as an important spiritual center for the Buddhist community in the northern part of the Barguzin Valley. It hosts traditional religious ceremonies and maintains the teachings of traditional Tibetan Buddhism in this remote part of Siberia.

8.14. Tuddenshaddubchoylin Datsan

Tuddenshaddubchoylin Datsan is a Buddhist monastery located in the city of Severobaikalsk, in the northern part of the Republic of Buryatia, Russian Federation.

Location: Unlike most other datsans concentrated in southern Buryatia near Mongolia, this monastery is located on the northern shore of Lake Baikal near the city of Severobaikalsk.

Architecture: The monastery features typical Buryat Buddhist architecture, featuring uniquely designed entrance gates and main halls.

Local role: The monastery serves the Buddhist community in the northern Baikal region, a more remote and less populated area than the capital Ulan-Ude. It’s an unexpected and interesting place for visitors exploring the North Baikal region, where they can learn about the presence of Buddhism in the far north.

8.15. Other Temples in Buyatia, Chita, and Irkutsk Oblasts

Buddhist temples and datsans in the Republic of Buryatia— both from the Tsarist era and the present day—as well as those historically associated Buryat areas such as Zabaykalsky Krai (formerly parts of Chita Oblast) and Irkutsk Oblast:

(Huramhaanai in

Buryat) District, village of Kurumkan

village of Ugdan

8.16. Museums in Buryatia

Buddhist art and heritage are exhibited in the main government historical and art museums and the monasteries (datsans) themselves also function as living museums. Following is a list of places where Buryatian Buddhist artifacts can be found:

Museum of the History of Buryatia Named after N. Khangalov.” Idemvmuzei.ru. Accessed January 1, 2026. https://idemvmuzei.ru/en/catalog/ museum/muzej-istorii-buratii-im-m-n-hangalova

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Ninh Hảiat the entrance to the Museum of Ethnology. September 18, 2025

Museum of History: This museum displays books, costumes, and rare artifacts of the The artifacts in the museum relate to three different religions: Buddhism, Shamanism, and Christianity.

Ivolginsky Monastery Museum: The monastery itself is a living museum and the spiritual center of Russian Buddhism. The most important highlight is the incorruptible body of the late twelfth Hambo Lama Itigelov, a mysterious spiritual and scientific phenomenon, which visitors can honor in a special The monastery also has its own small museum (Datsan Historical Museum) that tells the turbulent history of Buddhism in Russia, from its founding to the period of suppression and revival.
Egituysky Monastery: This monastery is famous for housing the legendary sandalwood statue of Buddha Shakyamuni (Zandan Zhuu), considered the most sacred treasure of Russian
State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg): A significant part of the masterpieces of Buryat Buddhist art are on display in the collections of this world-famous

Venerable TN Giới Hương admiring the ancient Tibetan bronze bell at the Museum of Ethnology. September 18, 2025

***

Chapter 6

BUDDHISM

IN THE TUVA REPUBLIC

History of the Tuva Republic
Present-Day Tuva Republic
History of Tuva Buddhism
Buddhism in Tuva Today
His Holiness Natsyk Dorju, the Supreme Lama of Tuva Buddhism
Buddhist Conferences and Schools in Tuva
Buddhist Temples in Tuva
- Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery
- Tsechenling Monastery
- Ustuu-Khuree Monastery
- Rabten Tashi Choyhorling Monastery
- KhureeTashipandelin Monastery
- Other spiritual sites

***

he Republic of Tuva/Tyva (Russian: Респу́блика Тыва́, transliterated: Respublika Tyva, IPA: [rʲɪˈspublʲɪkə

tɨˈva]; Tuvan: Тыва Республика, Tyva Respublika), Tuva (Russian: Тува́) or Tang Nuo Wu Lianghai (name during the Qing Dynasty), is a republic within the Russian Federation.⁸⁵

History of the Republic of Tuva

The Republic of Tuva is in the Siberian region of Russia. Its civilization dates back 2,700 years, according to recent German⁸⁶ archaeological discoveries. Tuva’s history is a complex transition from domination by the Mongol and Chinese empires to an independent state heavily influenced by the Soviet Union and eventually becoming a federal subject of Russia.

The Flag of Tuva Coat of arms of Tuva

Key Historical Milestones:

Premodern Period (before the twentieth century): Tuva was under the control of various empires, including the Turks, Uyghurs, Kyrgyz, and Mongols. From 1757 to 1911 Tuva was

Wikipedia. Last modified December 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Tuva. Accessed January 1, 2026. http://gov.tuva.ru/

Tuva People’s Republic (Cộng hòa Nhân dân Tuva). https://vi.wikipedia. org/wiki

part of the Manchu Empire (Qing Dynasty) of China.

Russian Protectorate (1914): After the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Tuvan nobles sought protection from the Russian Empire. In 1914, Russia officially made Tuva (then called Uriankhai Krai) a protectorate.

Tuvan People’s Republic (1921-1944): After the Russian Revolution, with the support of the Russian Soviet Union, the Tuvan People’s Republic (originally the Republic of Tannu- Tuva Ulus) was established on August 14, 1921, declaring independence. Although legally an independent state (recognized by the Soviet Union and Mongolia), it was in fact part of the Soviet Union.

Annexation to the Soviet Union (1944): During World War II, in October 1944, at the “request” of the Tuvan parliament, the Soviet Union annexed Tuva and turned it into the Tuvan Oblast of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

Tuvan Soviet Socialist Republic (1961): The administrative status of Tuva was upgraded to the Tuvan Soviet Socialist Republic on October 10, 1961.

Post-Soviet period (1991 to present): After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Tuva became the Republic of Tuva, a subject of the Russian Federation. A new constitution was adopted in 1993, defining the official name as Tyva.

Today’s Tuva Republic

The Tuva Republic is one of Russia’s eighty-five federal subjects. The governing body in Tuva is the Great Khural, which elects a president for a four-year term. The current premier is Vladislav Khovalyg. He took office in 2021, replacing Sholban Kara-00l.

2.1. Geography and Population

The Tuva Republic is located at the southern tip of Siberia,

sharing an 811-mile border with Mongolia to the south, touching the Uvs, Zavkhan, and Khovsgol provinces. Its capital, Kyzyl, lies near the geographical center of Asia, marked by a monument in the city. The republic’s landscape varies significantly: the eastern region is mostly forested and mountainous, while the western region consists of lowlands and dry areas. Tuva occupies a mountainous basin with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,800 feet above sea level, surrounded by the Sayan Mountains in the north and the Tannu-Ola Mountains in the south. Low mountains and hills cover 80 percent of the republic’s territory. The highest point in Siberia, Mongun-Tayga Silver Mountain, rises to 13,000 feet and features a glacier of the same name.

From left: Lập, Ninh Hải, Ven. TN Giới Hương and Lâm standing at the “Center of Asia” monument, Kyzyl, Tuva.⁸⁷ September 22, 2025

The Center of Asia monument in Kyzyl, Tuva, was erected on the banks of the Yenisei River to mark the exact location of the center of

Location: The monument is in the Tos-Bulak area, south of the city, at the confluence of the Great Yenisei

(Bii-Khem) and Little Yenisei (Kaa-Khem) rivers to form the main Yenisei River.

Within the Russian Federation, Tuva shares borders with the Republic of Khakassia (northwest/north), Krasnoyarsk Krai (north), Irkutsk Oblast (north/northeast), Buryat Republic (east), and Altai Republic (southwest/west). The total area of the republic is 65,098 square miles, with 80 percent of the territory being mountainous.

The Tuva Republic has a population of 338,300 people, according to the 2025 census. The Tuvan people share a long history and strong cultural and religious ties with Tibet, dating back to the eighteenth century when Buddhism began to spread in the region. Traditional foods include tsampa, roasted and ground barley flour, and yaks are commonly raised animals. Unlike other republics in Russia, the indigenous Tuvans make up most of the population, accounting for 80 percent. Both Tuvan, a Turkic language, and Russian are official languages. While most of the population is Tuvan, Russian is widely spoken; English is not common, so visitors often require an interpreter or an English-speaking tour guide.

Tuva experiences an extreme continental climate, characterized by large temperature differences between summer and winter. Winters are cold, summers are warm and rainfall is low, with little rain in summer and little snow in winter. Much of the region is affected by permafrost, a typical feature of Siberia. These climatic conditions have a profound impact on the daily lives of the population, the local ecosystem, and the economic development of the region.

2.2. Culture

Tuva preserves a unique and traditional nomadic culture that is widely recognized around the world. The region is especially

famous for its khoomei (喉) singing, a distinctive vocal technique that allows performers to produce multiple tones

simultaneously. The main religion in Tuva is a blend of Tibetan Buddhism and Shamanism, reflecting the area’s historical spiritual heritage. Livestock farming—including cows, sheep, goats, horses, and camels—remains a central part of daily life and constitutes the primary livelihood for more than 45 percent of the rural population, shaping the traditional nomadic lifestyle that continues to define Tuva.

2.3. Economy and Challenges

Tuva remains one of the least developed regions in the Russian Federation and is heavily dependent on subsidies from the federal government. The republic is rich in natural mineral resources, including coal, iron ore, gold, cobalt and, notably, the largest lithium reserves in Russia, accounting for 30 percent of the country’s total. Tuva occupies a mountainous basin with elevations around 2,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by the Sayan and Tannu-Ola mountain ranges. Low mountains and hills cover approximately 80 percent of the territory, with Mongun- Tayga “Silver Mountain,” rising to 13,000 feet, representing the highest point in Siberia and lending its name to the glacier located there.

Ven. TN Giới Hương and two Tuva girls. September 22, 2025

Geographical isolation presents significant infrastructure challenges. There is currently no direct rail connection to the capital, Kyzyl and freight transport relies on road networks and limited air services, including just two flights a week to Moscow. High unemployment and a lower standard of living compared to other Russian regions are persistent issues. To address these challenges, the Tuva government is working to attract investment, particularly in mining and ecotourism, aiming to develop the local economy while balancing modern development with the preservation of the region’s unique cultural heritage.

History of Tuva Buddhism

The history of Buddhism in Tuva is a story of introduction, strong development, harsh repression, and then revival in modern times.

3.1. Introduction and Initial Development (Thirteenth- Eighteenth Centuries)

Initial Contact: The Tuvans first came into contact with Buddhism around the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries during their time as part of the Mongol Empire. The earliest Buddhist temple ruins found in Tuva date from this period.

Predominance of Tibetan Buddhism: In the late seventeenth to early eighteenth centuries, Tibetan Buddhism (especially the Gelug, or “Yellow Hat” tradition) spread strongly from Mongolia northward to Tuva.

Co-religion with Shamanism: Buddhism did not completely replace the Tuvan native religion of Shamanism (Tengriism) but coexisted alongside it. Many elements of Shamanism (sacrificial offerings) were incorporated into the local Buddhism, resulting in the unique blend still seen today.

Establishment of monasteries: The first permanent monasteries (khure) were built in the 1770s, modeled after Mongolian monasteries. Tuva’s most spiritually respected abbot was under the Bogdo Gegen in Urga, Mongolia. During this period, under the rule of Qing China, Buddhism and Shamanism were considered the two state religions.

3.2. Soviet Period and Repression (1920-1980)

Initial religious policy: After the Tuvan People’s Republic was established in 1921, the government initially protected Buddhism. Buddhist lamas had strong political and social influence.

Harsh repression: However, as Soviet influence increased in the late 1920s and 1930s, a policy of religious repression was introduced. Buddhism was repressed more severely than any other religion in the Soviet Union.

Monasteries and temples were closed or razed. Monks were arrested, imprisoned or executed.

By the 1940s, there were no active temples or lamas left in Tuva.

3.3. Revival after 1991

Perestroika and revival: The perestroika reform⁸⁸ in the late 1980s opened the door to a religious revival. The first Buddhist communities were re-registered in 1988-1989.

Support from the Dalai Lama: The 14th Dalai Lama’s first public visit to Russian Buddhist regions, including Tuva, in the early 1990s gave a major boost to this Buddhist revival.

Current developments: Today, Tibetan Buddhism is an integral part of Tuva’s cultural identity. Many new monasteries are being rebuilt. The main Buddhist monastery of Tuva, Thubten Shedrub Ling, has now been inaugurated at the Perestroika (Russian: Перестройка, meaning “restructuring,” was a series of sweeping economic and political reforms initiated by General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s. The policy was aimed at reviving the stagnant and weakened Soviet economy, which had been affected by a prolonged period of stagnation and the burden of Cold War military spending.

initiative of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu (a Tuva native). The Tuva Buddhist Sangha elected His Holiness Gelek Natsyk Dorju, the ninth Kamby Lama (Supreme Buddhist Head of Tuva) on October 4, 2020.

Buddhism in Tuva today

Buddhism in the Republic of Tuva today is undergoing a strong renaissance after decades of repression under the Soviet Union, becoming an integral part of the cultural and spiritual identity of the people here.

4.1. Renaissance and Development

About 60 percent of the population of the Republic of Tuva identifies itself as Buddhist. This number is equivalent to 186,000 people (out of the total population of Tuva of 338,300),⁸⁹ making Tuva one of the regions with the highest percentage of Buddhists in the Russian Federation, next to Kalmykia and Buryatia. The majority follow Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhism. This religion is practiced in the Russian regions of the republics of Buryatia, Kalmykia, Altai, Tuva, and the Trans-Baikal Territory.

Tuva in the twentieth century: Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the territory of the Tuva Republic was part of Mongolia, so historically, Buddhism was widespread there. In the twentieth century, local nobles asked to submit to the Russian protectorate. Then, with the help of the Soviet Union, the independent Tuva People’s Republic was established. During World War II, the Tuvans actively supported the Soviet Union, fought against Hitler and provided horses, cattle, and food. In 1944, Tuva became part of the Russian Soviet Republic with autonomy.

Number of Buddhist monasteries and lamas: In the 1920s, Tuva had nineteen Buddhist monasteries and 3,000 Buddhist

In 2025, the population of the Republic of Tuva was 338,300

lamas. Although formally independent, Tuva was under Soviet control and in the 1930s, there was a mass purge and anti- religious struggle. All temples were closed and Buddhists were persecuted.

Religious Freedom: Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tuva has allowed religious freedom, and Buddhism has quickly become the dominant religion. The local government actively supports the restoration of religious institutions and encourages cultural traditions.

According to Lama Lubsan, assistant to Gelek Natsyk Dorju, the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch of Tuva, “In Russia, there are forty-seven ancient monuments, forty-five of which have been reconstructed. In the past, Tuva had as many as 5,000 Lamas studying here.” This shows that Russian Buddhism is recovering and developing again.

Government support: Notably, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, a native of Tuva, has been a key figure in promoting the construction of new temple complexes, notably the groundbreaking and inauguration of the large Tubten Shedrub Ling monastery in the capital of Kyzyl on April 28, 2023.

Religions: Along with Shamanism, Tibetan Buddhism is the primary and most respected religion among the indigenous Tuvan community, with 62 percent of Tuvans identifying themselves as Buddhists. Since Tuva was the last region (compared to Buryatia, Kalmykia) to join the former Soviet Union, it is the latest region to have most Buddhists.

4.2. Characteristics and Practice

Gelug tradition: Tuva Buddhism follows the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, as in Mongolia and other Buddhist republics of Russia (Kalmykia and Buryatia).

Spiritual head: The Tuvan Buddhist community is led by Kamby Lama (Khambo Lama), the spiritual head of Tuvan Buddhism. This position is elected and plays a key role in coordinating religious activities and maintaining contacts with international Buddhist centers. Currently, His Holiness Gelek Natsyk Dorju (secular name Sergek Olegovich Saryglar) is the ninth Kamby Lama (Supreme Spiritual Head Lama) of Buddhism in the Republic of Tuva.

Blending with shamanism: A unique feature of Tuva is the harmonious coexistence and blending of Buddhism and shamanism. Tuvan Buddhists also participate in traditional shamanic rituals, respecting both lamas and shamans. Practices such as hanging colorful prayer flags (lungta) or making offerings at open-air shrines (ovaa) are common.

4.3. Religious Infrastructure

Temples and monasteries: Many temples and monasteries have been rebuilt or restored. Tsetsenling Monastery in Kyzyl has been rebuilt and Tubten Shedrub Ling Buddhist Center has been newly built on a large scale. Other temples and monasteries are being established.

Buddhist education: There have been efforts to train new generations of young lamas locally or send these lamas to Buddhist universities in Mongolia and India for further study, ensuring the continuity of the tradition.

Buddhism today: Buddhism is not only a belief system, but a pillar of preserving the language, culture and national identity of the Tuvan people in the modern Russian Federation.

His Holiness Natsyk Dorju,

the Supreme Lama of Tuva Buddhism

Today, 60 percent of Tuva’s population is Buddhist and the republic has elected its own spiritual leader, known as “Kamby” as its supreme leader.

Gelek Natsyk Dorju (real name Sergek Olegovich Saryglar), forty-five years old, with a PhD in Buddhist studies, was elected by the community of lamas and representatives of Buddhist organizations in Tuva on October 4, 2020, to become the ninth Kamby Lama, the Supreme Lama and spiritual leader of Buddhism in the Republic of Tuva after the previous eighth Kamby Lama, Jampel Lodoy, passed away due to complications related to COVID-19.

Gelek Natsyk Dorju studied for five years at Ivolginsky Datsan University in Buryatia, one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Russia. He received his Geshe degree (equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy) in 2015.

Supreme Patriarch Gelek Natsyk Dorju (seated), Assistant Lama Lubsan (left), Media Lama (right), Ven. TN Giới Hương, Mrs. Ninh Hải, and Mr. Lâm at the Supreme Patriarch’s office.

September 22, 2025

Before taking office: Before being appointed as the Supreme Leader (Kamby Lama), he practiced and presided over the Tsechenling Buddhist temple in the capital city of Kyzyl and was the head of the sangha administration, the representative of the Tuva region’s lamas there.

Current role: As the High Lama, head of Tuvan Buddhism, he is responsible for leading the sangha, overseeing religious activities, promoting Buddhist education and maintaining relations with other Buddhist centers around the world, including Mongolia and India. He plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Tuvan’s unique Tibetan Buddhist heritage.

Process of election: Regarding the form of selecting the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism in the Tuva Democratic Republic: Since 1997, the highest Buddhist leader has been democratically elected, with a term of five years. The decision to hold the election is made by the Ydyk Khural Council, the governing body. The representative of the Sangha of Lamas (Kamby Lama) is presented during its session.

The recent election was attended by ninety-eight Buddhist lamas (including abbots of monasteries) and representatives of Buddhist organizations and communities in Tuva. The election process consisted of two rounds: four candidates were initially nominated, then two were selected for further voting. In the end, Gelek Natsyk Dorju received most votes for the position of leader of Tuva Buddhism.

Immediately after the results were announced, His Holiness the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama Damba Badmayevich Ayusheev (head of the Buddhist Sangha of the Republic of Buryatia and the Buddhist Sangha of the Russian Federation) and His Holiness Telo Tulku Rinpoche (head of the Buddhist Sangha of the Republic of Kalmykia), as well as representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Russia and Mongolia, sent congratulatory letters to the new leader.

Buddhist Conferences and Universities in Tuva

6.1. Buddhist Conferences

Although Tuva is an important region for Buddhism in Russia, no major International Buddhist Forum has been held in Tuva alone. Instead, a major forum was recently held in Kalmykia, another Buddhist region of Russia. However, Tuva has hosted a major conference in the past and is one of the three core regions, along with Kalmykia and Buryatia, that regularly cooperate in organizing these events.

6.2. Past Events in Tuva

2016 International Buddhist Conference: Buddhistdoor Global reported on a 2016 conference in Tuva that was hailed as a revival of Buddhism in the region.

Collaboration on other forums: The Tuva Buddhist community regularly participates in events held in the two “Golden Triangle” regions (Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia), such as:

The First International Buddhist Forum (2023) held in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, from August 17 to 19, 2023.

Focus: The Forum will emphasize the building of a platform for international dialogue on Buddhist philosophy and practice and the promotion of cooperation between Buddhist organizations.

The third International Buddhist Forum, themed “The Buddhist World in the New Millennium,” (2025): This Forum was held in Elista, Kalmykia, from September 26 to 28,

Topic: Discussion forum on the development of traditional medicine, the influence of Buddhist values on economic priorities and the role of Buddhist heritage in tourism.

6.2. Buddhist University at Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery Complex

On October 23, 2025, the Russian Buddhist University was solemnly opened in the capital city of Kyzyl (Tuva Republic, South Siberia) at the Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery complex.⁹⁰

According to Tuva Governor Vladislav Khovalyg, the opening of the Buddhist University at the Thubten Shedrub Ling Buddhist Monastery Center has development directions as follows:

This event is the most important stage in the development of the Buddhist tradition in Russia and a powerful impetus for the spiritual growth of the inhabitants of the republic. The main task of the university is to train highly educated clergymen, but its general mission is much broader—to become a center for the study of the richest heritage of Buddhist philosophy, art, history and languages, a center of education, spiritual and personal improvement not only for the residents of Tuva, but for Russia and the whole world.

The project is in its early stages and requires many prerequisites. Despite the success of the University Opening Ceremony, the challenges in establishing and operating a Buddhist educational institution here include:

Infrastructure and financial challenges, construction and completion:

The construction of the monastery and its campuses is a major multi-year project, dependent on funding from donors and nonprofit organizations. Securing a steady stream of funding to complete the entire campus, including the library, medical laboratories and living quarters for monks and nuns is a significant challenge.

https://www.facebook.com/RusEmbSriLanka/posts/

Geographical and climatic conditions: The location in Siberia means harsh winters, making it difficult to build and maintain facilities, as well as affecting the living and learning conditions of monks, nuns and lay Buddhists.

Educational and academic challenges:

Curriculum: A balanced curriculum of Buddhist traditional philosophy, art, history and language with modern academic standards recognized by Russia is needed.

Lecturers and experts: It is important to attract highly qualified scholars and monks who have both profound knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism and the ability to teach within the framework of a modern university curriculum.

Degree recognition: Ensuring that a school’s degrees are officially recognized within the Russian education system may require adjustments to meet state accreditation standards.

Management and organizational challenges:

Management systems: Moving from a traditional monastic education system to a modern, centralized university management structure may face organizational and administrative barriers.

Recruitment and target audience: Defining the target audience (monks only or laypeople) and attracting students not only from Tuva but from all over Russia and the world requires an effective recruitment and communication strategy.

Political and social challenges:

Legal and state relations: Although Buddhism is a traditional religion in Tuva and is supported by high-ranking Russian officials (such as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, a Tuvan native), operating a religious educational institution within the framework of Russian law still requires strict compliance with government regulations.

Cultural integration: Preserving the Tibetan Buddhist identity in the context of multi-religious Russian culture, while promoting the spiritual development of residents and Russia as a whole is a task of both symbolic and practical significance.

Overall, the project is a major step forward for Buddhism in Russia but sustaining and developing it into a world-class educational center will require overcoming resource, human, and administrative barriers.

Tuva Buddhist Temples

The Buddhist temples in Tuva are outstanding in architecture, culture, art, and religion. This demonstrates the renaissance and development of Buddhism in this region.

7.1. Thubten Shedrub Ling Datsan

Origin of the name: Thubten Shedrub Ling means “The place where the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni are taught and practiced” and was given by Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

History: This is the principal Buddhist center of the Republic of Tuva (Russian Federation) built on the initiative of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu, who was born in Tuva.

Location: Located near the airport of the capital Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva, Russia.

Inauguration: Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery was officially inaugurated on April 28, 2023, in the capital Kyzyl of the Republic of Tuva, with the participation of monks and local Buddhists. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations on the occasion.

Features: The monastery covers twenty-three acres and the main building stands 183 feet tall, with twelve floors and a red- and-white color scheme. The ground floor houses a museum showcasing the most significant artifacts from the history of Tuva and regional Buddhism.

Assistant Lama Lubsan (left) is introducing the treasures in the Museum and Mrs. Ninh Hải translating

from Russian to Vietnamese. September 22, 2025

In the main hall, there are solemn and lively statues of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Dharma protectors such as Buddha Shakyamuni, Kalachakra, the Buddhist tantric god, the goddess White Tara, the goddess Green Tara, Yamantaka, the god of wisdom (Manjushri), a prayer drum with the Buddhist mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum” written in Russian and Sanskrit and a portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

His Holiness Gelek Natsyk Dorju and Ven. TN Giss Gelek, September 22, 2025

The upper floors house the Russian Buddhist University, a theological education center, a traditional medicine center and other specialized areas. Outside the main building, the Tuva traditional medicine clinic and the sangha residence are under construction.

This monastery, connected to Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, saw construction start in 2014, though the site was identified more than three decades earlier. During his September 21, 1992, visit to Tuva—aimed at honoring the rebirth of regional Buddhism—he consecrated and blessed the chosen land for the monastery. However, construction faced delays for a range of reasons.⁹¹

In 2022, a delegation from Tuva visited the residence of Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama, in India, and the Dalai Lama took the monastery under his patronage. He appointed a spiritual protector for the monastery, the Six-Armed Mahakala and presented a three-foot high statue of Buddha made of bronze and gilded by Nepalese artisans.

Buddha’s relics: In addition to the statue of Chunti Mahakala, His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama bestowed upon Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery his signed monastic robes, sacred scriptures and—most notably—relics of the Buddha. During the monastery’s consecration ceremony, these relics were reverently placed inside the central statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, allowing Buddhists devotees to venerate them.

Buddha statue in the main hall of Thubten Shedrub Ling

Thubten Shedrub Ling, the largest Buddhist monastery in https:// kevesko.vn/20230428/22707880.html

The Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery complex holds significant importance for several reasons:

Largest in Russia: It is widely regarded as the largest Buddhist monastery complex in the Russian Federation, spanning over twenty-two acres with a twelve-story main building.

Historical and spiritual significance: The site was personally consecrated and blessed by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, during his 1992 visit to Tuva, marking the revival of local Buddhism.

Recent inauguration: The monastery was solemnly consecrated and opened on April 28, 2023—the first major Buddhist monastery built in Tuva since the repressive 1930s.

Educational role: On October 23, 2025, the Russian Buddhist University was solemnly inaugurated within the Thubten Shedrub Ling complex in Kyzyl, the capital of the Republic of Tuva, serving as a center for Buddhist philosophy, theology, arts, and related studies.

Tsechenling Datsan. September 22, 2025

Infirmary and Sangha Residence

In the complex of the Tubten Shedrub Ling Monastery in Kyzyl, a sangha residence for lamas and a clinic focused on Tuvan traditional medicine are being built to serve the lamas and the local population.

7.2. Tsechenling Datsan

“Tsechenling” means “Land of Compassion,” and is associated with Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition centers around the world.

Location: Tsechenling is a well-known Buddhist temple (datsan) in Kyzyl, the

capital of the Republic of Tuva, Russia. It is situated in the city center, near

the Kuzhuget Shoigu Embankment, the central square, and the Center of Asia

obelisk monument.

Address: Ulitsa Shchetinkina-Kravchenko, 2, Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva, Russia, 667000

Established: Built in 1999, it is one of the first Buddhist centers to be restored after the Soviet era.

History: Built between 1905 and 1907 with the help of the Tibetan Lama Kuntana Rinpoche, it was one of Tuva’s most important spiritual centers of historical and cultural significance and a unique example of Tibetan Buddhist architecture.

Destruction and reconstruction: In 1930, the monastery was closed and in 1937 it was destroyed during the religious persecution. However, the high earthen walls remained intact.

From left: Mrs. Ninh Hải, Ven. TN Giới Hương, Lama Lubsan and Mr. Lâm in front of Tsechenling Datsan.

September 22, 2025

Restoration: In 1999, the Russian government recognized the historical value of the monastery and decided to rebuild it. A new temple, an exact replica of the old one, was built next to the original ruins in 2013.

Role: Before the Tubten Shedrub Ling Monastery (Gelek Natsyk Dorju was the abbot) was completed, Tsechenling was the main temple and one of the most active centers of Tuvan Buddhism at that time.

Information for visitors: Tsechenling is a popular attraction in Kyzyl, drawing both tourists and Buddhist pilgrims who come to pray and admire its religious significance and distinctive architecture.

From right: Lama Lubsan, NT TN Giới Hương, Mrs. Ninh Hải, and Mr. Lập in the office of Tsechenling Temple.

September 22, 2025

7.3. Ustuu-Khuree Datsan

Ustuu-Khuree Datsan is the name of an historic Buddhist monastery and annually hosts a large international music festival.

Location: The monastery is located four miles north of the town of Chadan in the Khemchik Valley. This is an important historical and cultural site, representing the glorious past of Tuva Buddhism before its suppression.

Founding: The Ustuu-Khuree Monastery was originally built between 1905 and 1907 with the support of the Tibetan Lama, Kuntana Rinpoche. It was a masterpiece of Tuvan architecture at the time, using mortar with a secret formula that kept it warm in winter and cool in summer.

Destruction (1930-1937): During the Soviet era of religious repression, the monastery was closed in 1930 and completely razed in 1937. Lamas were persecuted, Buddha statues were destroyed and scriptures were scattered across the steppe.

Reconstruction: In 1999, the Russian government recognized the historical and architectural value of the ruins and decided to support the reconstruction of the monastery. A new monastery was built near the old ruins and officially reopened in July 2012.

Spiritual center: Ustuu-Khuree is a sacred place, attracting Buddhists to come for pilgrimage and prayer. The ruins of the original monastery are preserved as a reminder of its tragic history.

International Music Festival: To raise funds for the reconstruction and promotion of Tuvan culture, the “Ustuu- Khuree Music and Faith Festival” was established in 1999 and has become a major annual cultural event, attracting musicians from all over the world.

Political symbolism: The monastery also had important political significance in Tuva’s history—the decision to join the protectorate of the Russian Empire was passed here. Buyan- Badyrgy, who later became the head of the government of the independent Tuva People’s Republic, was a student of this monastery.

7.4. Rabten Tashi Choyhorling Datsan

Rabten Tashi Choyhorling, located in the west of Tuva, is an ancient temple built by the fifth Rinpoche Tembiya Kundan.

Ven. TN Giới Hương in front of the gate of Rabten Tashi Choyhorling Pagoda, Tuva. September 22, 2025

Main Hall of Rabten Tashi Choyhorling, Tuva.

September 22, 2025

Khuree Tashipandelin Datsan Khuree Tashipandelin Pagoda (Russian: ХурээТашипанделин)

Address: Kolkhoznaya Ulitsa, 101, Kyzyl, Tuva Republic, Russia

The pagoda is centrally located on a large open area of land. It serves as a venue for residents to chant and pray, reciting prayers for peace and deliverance. Buddhists are encouraged to make donations toward the repair and ongoing construction of the site.

From left, Mr. Lập, Ven. TN Giới Hương and Mr. Lâm (Vietnamese, living in Tuva) in front of Khuree Tashipandelni Pagoda, Tuva. September 22, 2025

Main Hall of Khuree Tashipandeli Pagoda, Tuva.

September 22, 2025

7.6. Other Spiritual Sites

Buddha’s Footprint (Burgan Izi)

In the Tuvan language, “Burgan Izi” means “Footprint of the Buddha.” This is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site located in the Republic of Tuva.

Location: Burgan Izi, a sacred Buddhist site, is located on Dogee Mountain, between the villages of Tselinnoe and Shambalyg, southeast of the Tuva capital Kyzyl.

Legend: According to local legend, in the 1990s, while flying over Tuva, the 14th Dalai Lama saw a glowing light on the ground and informed the local Buddhist lamas. They then found a rock engraving, which looked like a footprint on a large rock and identified it as the footprint of Buddha.

Pilgrimage activities: Since the discovery of the Buddha’s footprint, Burgan Izi has become a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over Tuva and other parts of the world. They visit to make offerings and perform sacred rituals. One of the popular rituals is san salyry, a ritual offering to the sacred mountain god to purify the area of evil spirits.

Spiritual architecture: On the hill, Buddhists built a stupa dedicated to Buddha Shakyamuni, symbolizing his descent from the Tusita heaven to this place to bestow blessings.

Footprint: According to the discoverers, this footprint was considered “alive” because the stone was initially in a horizontal position, but over time gradually shrank and shifted to a vertical position.

Burgan Izi is one of the most sacred sites in Tuva.

Statue of Buddha and the Mantra, Om mani padme hum on Dogee

Mountain

A twenty-nine-foot-high statue of Buddha Shakyamuni was erected on the top of Dogee Mountain, located north of the capital city of Kyzyl.

The 29-foot-high statue of Buddha Shakyamuni on the top of Dogee Mountain, Tuva. September 21, 2025

Nearby, there is the Om mani padme hum mantra in Sanskrit, carved on the rock and painted white so it can be seen from a great distance.

Om mani padme hum in Sanskrit on the top of Dogee Mountain,Tuva. September 21, 2025

Om mani padme hum is the mantra of Chenrezig (Buddha of compassion), carved on the large mountain on the slopes of Dogee Mountain to remind Buddhists to recite it often and to bless the residents anyone who sees or hears the mantra.

From left: Media Lama, Ven. TN Giới Hương, His Holiness Gelek Natsyk Dorju and Mrs. Ninh Hải on the second floor of Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery. September 22, 2025

***

Chapter 7

BUDDHISM IN THE REPUBLIC OF KALMYKIA

History of the Republic of Kalmykia
The Republic of Kalmykia Today
History of Buddhism in Kalmykia
Buddhism in Kalmyk Today
Geshe Tezin Choidak, Supreme Lama of the Republic of Kalmykia
Buddhist Conferences and Schools in Kalmyk
Kalmyk Buddhist Temples
- Burkhan Center of Golden Temple Burkhan Baksin Altansume
- Potala Buddhist Center
- Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling, City Chess
- Kagio Almasway Lama Datsan
- Syaryusn Synme Datsan in Aishan
- Chenrezi Religion Center, Geshe Djampa Inte Lama
- Other Temples

ften promoted as the “Tibet of Europe,” the Russian Republic of Kalmykia has become a magnet for those

who want to explore the mysterious Eastern culture.

The Republic of Kalmykia (Russian: Респу́блика Калмы́ кия, transliterated: Respublika Kalmykiya, IPA: [rʲɪsˈpublʲɪkə kɐlˈmɨkʲɪjə]; Kalmyk: Хальмг Таңһч, Xaľmg Tañhç) is a federal subject of Russia (a republic).

History of the Republic of Kalmykia

The history of the Republic of Kalmykia is a rich one, stemming from its nomadic Mongol origins and political upheavals, repressions and cultural revivals under Russia and the Soviet Union. Kalmykia is famous for being the only Buddhist territory in Europe.

The Flag of Kalmykia Coat of Arms of Kalmykia

Summary of historical milestones:

Origin and Migration (Seventeenth Century)

The ancestors of the Kalmyk people were the Mongol Oirats, who were nomadic warriors in Western Mongolia.

In the early seventeenth century (around 1632), due to political and economic pressures, they migrated westward to the lower Volga River and the northern shore of the Caspian Sea in Europe. They established the Kalmyk Khanate and became nominal subjects of the Russian Tsar in 1609, in return for autonomy and protection.

1.2. Under the Rule of the Russian Empire (Eighteenth- Early Twentieth Century)

Tensions with the Russian Empire increased in the mid- eighteenth century due to Russian and German encroachment and exploitation of resources.

In 1771, most Kalmyks decided to return to their ancestral lands in Central Asia. This migration was disastrous and many died along the way. The few who remained became part of the Don Cossack forces and the Kalmyk Khanate was fully annexed by the Russian Empire. The present-day capital Elista was founded in 1865.

1.3. Soviet Period (1917-1991)

After the Russian October Revolution (1917), many Kalmyks joined the White Army in the Russian Civil War. A large number later emigrated to Europe (mainly to Belgrade, Serbia).

The Kalmyk Oblast was first established in November 1920. In 1935, the province was upgraded to the Kalmyk Soviet

Socialist Republic (Kalmyk ASSR).

During the 1920s and 1930s, the Soviet government suppressed Buddhism, destroying temples, monasteries and arresting spiritual leaders.

During World War II, Nazi Germany occupied parts of Kalmykia.

In 1943, Stalin accused all Kalmyks of collaborating with Germany and ordered the dissolution of the Kalmyk ASSR. Around 100,000 Kalmyks were collectively deported to Siberia and other Central Asian regions; an estimated one-third to one- half of the population died during and immediately after the deportation.

1.4. Rehabilitation and Present

After Stalin’s death in 1957, the Kalmyks were rehabilitated and allowed to return to their homeland.

In January 1957, the region regained autonomy in the form of an oblast and its status was upgraded to a Soviet Socialist Republic the following year.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kalmykia became a republic within the Russian Federation, officially known as the Republic of Kalmykia.

Since then, the region has seen a strong revival of Buddhism and traditional culture.

The Republic of Kalmykia Today

The Republic of Kalmykia today is a federal subject of Russia, famous for being the only Buddhist territory in Europe and a unique cultural center of the Kalmyk people of Mongolian origin.

2.1. Basic Overview

Location: Located in the southwest of European Russia and bordered by Volgograd Oblast to the northwest and north, Astrakhan Oblast to the north and east, the Caspian Sea to the southeast, the Republic of Dagestan to the south, Stavropol Krai to the southwest and Rostov Oblast to the west.

A small stretch of the Volga River flows through eastern Kalmykia. Major rivers include the Yegorlyk, the Kuma and the Manych. Lake Manych-Gudilo is the largest; other significant lakes include Lake Sarpa and Tsagan-Khak.

Capital: Elista is a city famous for its Buddhist architecture and iconography—even the walls of buildings depict the life of Gautama Buddha and many cars display images of Buddhas, bodhisattvas and lamas, indicating that the Elista people have a great reverence for Buddha.

Ven. TN Giới Hương and Dr. E.S. Dzhirgalova standing beneath the mural in Elista depicting the birth of Prince Siddhartha. September 27, 2025

Population: The estimated population of the Republic of Kalmykia in early 2024 is 266,770. Kalmyks make up the majority, 57.4 percent according to the 2010 census, followed by Russians, 30.2 percent.

Resources: Coal, oil and natural gas. The saiga antelope is a protected species in the Cherny Zemli Nature Reserve.

A distant view of murals on the wall of a residential building in Elista, illustrating the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni and his meditation. September 27, 2025

Climate: Kalmykia has a continental climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters with little snow. The average January temperature is 23° F and the average July temperature is 75° F. Average annual rainfall ranges from eleven inches in the east to twenty inches in the west of the country.

2.2. Culture and Religion

Buddhism: The predominant religion is Tibetan Buddhism, with over thirty active temples known as khuruls.

The largest temple in Europe, the “Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha” is in Elista.

Language: Kalmyk and Russian are the official languages. However, Kalmyk is facing extinction and is listed as an endangered language by UNESCO, despite efforts to preserve it.

Chinese chess: The republic has a strong tradition of Chinese chess and is known as an international chess center. The former president of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, is currently president of the International Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs).

2.3. Economy and Society

Economy: Multi-sector with agriculture dominating. Main industries include fuel extraction and processing (oil, gas), power generation, construction materials, and food industry (processing sheep, goats, cows, horses).

Challenges: Kalmykia is one of the driest regions of Russia and faces a serious shortage of fresh water. Unemployment, corruption, and deteriorating infrastructure are also prominent social problems.

Cooperation: Kalmykia is seeking to increase international cooperation in the fields of Buddhist spiritual tourism, education, and agriculture.

2.4. Politics

System: The head of the Republic of Kalmykia is the highest office in the executive branch, elected for a five-year term. The legislative body is the People’s Khural (Parliament).

Current leadership: Premier Batu Khasikov has been head of the Republic of Kalmykia since September 2019.

History of Buddhism in Kalmykia

The history of Buddhism in Kalmykia is marked by periods of survival and resurgence, making it the only Buddhist territory in Europe.

3.1. Early Stage and Development (Sixteenth-Nineteenth Century)

Adoption: The ancestors of the Kalmyks, the Mongol Oirat tribes, adopted the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in the late sixteenth century.

Introduction to Europe: When the Oirats migrated to the lower Volga River in the seventeenth century, they brought this Buddhist tradition to Europe.

Development: Before the 1917 October Revolution in Russia, Buddhism flourished with ninety-two temples (including twenty-eight large monasteries and sixty-four small monasteries) and more than 2,000 lamas.

Recognition: In 1741, the Russian Empress Elizabeth officially recognized Buddhism as one of the legal religions in the Russian Empire.

3.2. The Soviet Repression Period (1920s-1980s)

The Soviet government’s atheistic policies led to severe religious repression.

Destruction: Many monasteries were closed, their properties confiscated or destroyed. By 1937, most datsans (monasteries) had disappeared and by the beginning of World War II, there were no functioning temples left in Kalmykia.

Deportation: In 1943, the entire Kalmyk population was accused of collaborating with Germany and deported en masse to Siberia and Central Asia on Stalin’s orders. The Republic of Kalmykia was officially dissolved and Buddhism was virtually eradicated from public life.

Ven. TN Giới Hương with Dr. E.S. Dzhirgalova’s family at Lonely Poplar Garden, Kalmykia. September 25, 2025

3.3. Revival Period (Late 1980s to Present)

Rebirth: After being rehabilitated and allowed to return to their homeland in 1957, the Kalmyks quietly kept their Buddhist beliefs.

Political liberalization: Gorbachev’s perestroika policy and the 1990 religious freedom law created conditions for the revival.

Construction: Dozens of Buddhist communities and new temples were built. Elista became the center of this revival.

Symbolism: The Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Buddhist Center in Elista, inaugurated in 2005, is the largest temple in Europe and a powerful symbol of the restored Kalmyk cultural and religious identity.

Present: Buddhism now plays a vital role in reshaping the Kalmyk national identity, connecting the community to their Mongolian and Tibetan roots and is included in the education curriculum to preserve language and culture.

Buddhism in Kalmykia Today

Ven. TN Giới Hương presents a book to Director Kukanova Victoria Vasilevna, Kalmyk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Science, Elista. September 25, 2025

Buddhism in Kalmykia today is a living religion and central to national identity. After decades of repression under the Soviet Union, Buddhism has made a strong comeback and plays a fundamental role in the cultural, social, and political life of the Republic of Kalmykia.

Special Aspects of Kalmyk Buddhism Today

Majority religion: Kalmykia is the only region in Europe where Buddhism is recognized as a traditional religion at the state level and where Buddhists are the majority (53 percent of the population identify as Buddhists).
Cultural and spiritual revival: Buddhism is not just a religion, but also an important part of the effort to restore Buddhist psychology and Kalmyk culture, along with basic humanistic moral principles such as compassion, love, and
Major spiritual center: The “Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha” in the capital Elista is the largest temple in Europe and an important spiritual center, attracting both locals and international visitors to pay respects, study and participate in
Type of Buddhism: Tibetan Tantric Buddhism

Education and training: After the interruption of the Lamaist lineage during the Soviet era, there have been efforts to restore and promote monastic life. Many monks from Tibet come to teach and spread the Dharma.

International events: Kalmykia hosts major events such as the Day of Tibetan Culture and the International Buddhist Forum, strengthening its position as a center of Buddhist culture on the international stage. Recently on September 24-28, 2025, Buddha relics from India were brought there for Buddhists to pay homage.

International cooperation: The Republic of Kalmykia is

looking to increase cooperation in the field of spiritual pilgrimage and education with other Buddhist countries.

Challenges: Despite a strong revival, challenges remain in preserving the Kalmyk language and ensuring uniformity in the diverse Buddhist traditions.

Geshe Tezin Choidak, the Supreme Lama of the Republic of Kalmykia

His Holiness Geshe Tenzin Choidak (secular name: Mutul Ovyanov) is the current Shajin Lama (High Lama) of the Republic of Kalmykia. He is the supreme spiritual leader of Buddhism in Kalmykia, the only Buddhist territory in Europe, and abbot of the Kalmyk Central Buddhist Monastery of Geden Sheddup Choi Korling.

Geshe Tenzin Choidak receives a gift from

Ven. TN Giới Hương, with two interpreters G. Elena (left) and Dr. E.S. Dzhirgalova (right). September 2, 2025

Position: He was elected as the High Lama by the Kalmyk Buddhist monastic community in early 2023, after his predecessor Telo Tulku Rinpoche resigned. This decision was approved by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Role: As the Shajin Lama, he is responsible for leading Buddhist activities, providing spiritual guidance to the people of Kalmyki and maintaining relations with the Russian government and the international Buddhist community. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to him and his sangha on Tsagaan Sara (White New Year).

Conferences and Buddhist Schools in Kalmykia

Buddhism in Kalmykia is undergoing a period of strong revival and the organization of conferences and the development of Buddhist training institutions are an important part of this process.

6.1. International Buddhist Conferences in Kalmykia

International Conference on Buddhist Education: In April 2021, Kalmykia hosted its first international conference on Buddhist education with the participation of leading experts from Russia and the world.

International Buddhist Forum: The Republic of Kalmykia hosted the International Buddhist Forum in August 2023.

International Buddhist Forum and Special Events 2025: The third International Buddhist Forum, “The Buddhist World in the New Millennium,” in Elista, Kalmykia, September 26-28, 2025.

Topic: The Forum discussed the development of traditional medicine, the influence of Buddhist values on economic priorities and the role of Buddhist heritage in tourism.

Participants: The Forum gathered delegations from many countries, including India, China, Burma, Mongolia, Vietnam, Africa and Spain.

Cultural aspects: Events included exhibitions of sacred

Buddha relics from India, international martial arts festivals, and traditional folk dances.

Center: Ven. TN Giới Hương attending the third International Buddhist Forum on September 26-28, 2025; to her left:

Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev D. V. (Vice-President of the Russian Buddhist Traditional Sangha and Head

of the International Buddhist Diplomacy Committee); to her right: Assistant Lama Lubsan with members

of the Elista organizing committee.

6.2. Buddhist Schools and Training Institutions in Kalmykia

Kalmykia has over forty registered Buddhist communities (as of 2023), including thirty to forty-three active khuruls (temples/ monasteries) and prayer houses. Many serve dual roles as places of worship and education, offering courses on Buddhist basics, Kalmyk/Tibetan language, philosophy, meditation, and ethics.

Buddhist Center of Golden Temple Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume is the largest Buddhist temple/center in the Republic of Kalmykia. This center in Elista plays an significant role in education, regularly organizing free courses on meditation, Buddha recitation, language, culture and Buddhism for the people, especially the youth.
Initiative to establish a university center: Since 2020, there have been discussions about establishing a center for Buddhist higher education in Kalmykia, initiated by the former High Lama Telo Tulku
International cooperation: The current training of monks and nuns often depends on scholars and monks invited from Tibet and other Buddhist countries to teach, helping to restore interrupted traditions.

Kalmykia Buddhist Temples

Most temples in the Republic of Kalmykia are located in the capital, Elista and were built after the collapse of the Soviet Union, marking the revival of Buddhism in the region. There are monasteries such as:

7.1. Buddhist Center of the Golden Temple, Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume

Name

Kalmyk Central Buddhist Monastery of Geden Sheddup Choi Korling but commonly known as Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume (meaning Golden Temple of Shakyamuni Buddha). This is the spiritual center of Kalmyk Buddhism and a symbol of the revival of Buddhism after decades of repression under the Soviet Union.

Ven. TN Giới Hương at the main gate of the Golden Temple Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume. September 25, 2025

Abbot: Geshe Tenzin Choidak is the abbot of this Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Buddhist Center and he is also the High Lama of Kalmyk Buddhism.

7.1.2. History and Architecture

Establishment: The monastery was inaugurated on December 27, 2005, marking the anniversary of the Kalmyk people’s deportation to Siberia and the Far East in 1943.

Location: The monastery was built on the site of an old factory, at the site where His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama came to consecrate and give blessings before leaving Elista in 2004.

Structure: The monastery has seven floors and is surrounded by 108 white stupas (suburgans), symbolizing 108 Buddhas. The roof of the temple has a mandala shape and is enshrined with an over twenty-nine-foot-high gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the largest Buddha statue in Europe. Inside the statue are sacred objects such as mantras, incense, and soil from regions across Kalmykia as offerings.

Activities: This center attracts visitors from around the world and features a prayer room with daily chanting ceremonies open to lamas and the public.

Inside the Monastery

Buddha statue: The second floor of the monastery houses a twenty-nine-foot-high statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.

The other floors of the center serve various purposes. The first floor houses a library, museum, and conference room. On the third floor, visitors can find a photo gallery, rooms for lamas, guest accommodations, a medical clinic, and a space dedicated to astrology. The fourth floor contains the office and reception room of the High Lama, Geshe Tenzin Choidak. Finally, the fifth floor serves as the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, including a reception room, office, and private quarters for the senior monks.

Main Hall of the Golden Temple Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume.

September 25, 2025

7.2. Potala Buddhist Center

The Potala Monastery in Elista was founded by the famous Lama Professor of Astronomy Geshe Lobsang Gyatso of the Potala Tibetan Cultural Center.

Address: Elista, Leninna 375 Phone: +7 (937) 466-84-65

From left: Dr. E. S. Dzhirgalova, a Lama from the Center and Ven.TN Giới Hương in front of Potala Buddhist Center.

September 25, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương with a Buddhist woman at the Potala Buddhist Center. September 25, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương (center), G. Elena (right) and Elista Buddhist at Potala Buddhist Center. September 25, 2025

Two Lamas pose with the delegation of Ven. TN Giới Hương,

Elena, and Dr. E.S. Dzhirgalova at Potala Buddhist Center. September 25, 2025

7.3. Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling, City Chess

Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling.

Address: Buddhist Community Mindrolling, 358014, Elista,

Bender Avenue, 9

Phone: +7 (961) 541-43-91; +7 (905) 409-43-86

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.buddhistofrussia.rylist-org.com

Ven. TN Giới Hương, Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling Temple.

September 25, 2025

Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling Temple signboard.

September 25, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương standing at the front of Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling Pagoda. September 25, 2025

Kamykia Students pose with Ven. TN Giới Hương and G. Elena at Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling Datsan.

September 25, 2025

7.4. Kagio Almasway Lama Datsan

The Kagio Almasway Lama Temple is part of the Vajrayana Buddhist Center in Elista, founded in 1993. The center operates under the spiritual guidance of Lama Ole Nydahl. The head of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism is His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa. The Elista Buddhist Center is part of the Russian Vajrayana Buddhist Association of the Karma Kagyu tradition. Contact www.buddhism.ru and www.elistastupa. ru, sites with information about Buddhism, its history and modernity, as well as contact information for Karma Kagyu Buddhist centers in other cities of Russia.

Kagio Almasway Lama Temple signboard. September 25, 2025

The front yard of Kagio Almasway Lama Temple.

September 25, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương, G. Elena (left) and Dr. E. S. Dzhirgalova (right) standing in front of the gate of the Kagio Almasway Lama Temple. September 25, 2025

7.5. Syaryusn Synme Datsan in Aishan (Geden Sheddup Choikorling)

Highlights: This is the first Buddhist temple built in Kalmykia after the old temples were destroyed in the 1930s.

Location: The temple was built on land blessed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 1992 and inaugurated in 1996.

Design: Sakusn-Syume was designed based on the model of Tibetan Buddhist temples and houses an eleven-foot-high gilded Buddha statue in Tibetan Buddhist style. Sakusn-Syume was the leading Buddhist center of Kalmykia until the Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Golden Temple Center was built.

Ven. TN Giới Hương in the front yard of Sakyusn-Sume, Geden Sheddup Choikorling Datsan. September 25, 2025

Main hall of Sakyusn-Sume, Geden Sheddup Choikorling Datsan. September 25, 2025

From left: Dr. E.S. Dzhirgalova, Ven. TN Giới Hương and

Elen at the bell tower of Sakyusn-Sume, Geden Sheddup Choikorling Datsan. September 25, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương with Dr.E. S. Dzhirgalova (right) and Gaelen (left) offering gifts to the Lama of Sakyusn-Sume, Geden Sheddup Choikorling Datsan. September 25, 2025

7.6. Chenrezi Religion Center-Geshe Jampa Tinley

Chenrezi Religion Center was founded by Geshe Jampa Tinley in 1990. Every week, fifty local Buddhists come to practice and chant. When the lama, who is the abbot, returns from India—where he frequently teaches, as well as in Nepal and Tibet—between 200 and 300 Buddhists gather to listen to the Dharma.

Address: Elista, 89 Hippodromnaya St., Elista, Kalmykia, Russia

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Telegram channel: https://t.me/dhamma_center_chenrezig

Ven. TN Giới Hương with G. Elena (right), Dr. E.S. Dzhirgalova (left) and the President’s family in front of the Chenrezi Religion Center courtyard. September 25, 2025

7.7. Other Temples

There are more pagodas, such as Adykovsky Pagoda (Chernozemelsky District), Altsyn-Khutinsky Pagoda (Ketchenerovsky District), Arshan-Zelmensky Iki-Khurul Pagoda (Sarpinsky District), Arteziansky Pagoda (Chernozemelsky District), Baga-Burulsky Pagoda (Iki- Burulsky District) that the group did not have enough time to visit.

Visiting the pagodas in Kalmykia offers spiritual, cultural, and educational benefits, as Kalmykia is a vibrant Buddhist center in Europe.

Ven. TN Giới Hương and visitors pose in front of the twenty- one-foot-high bronze Green Tara statue at Buddha Park (74 acres) on September 27, 2025.

***

Chapter 8

CONCLUSION

uddhism in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia presents a comprehensive picture of the existence and development of Buddhism in Russia, with two main aspects: traditional Buddhism in the Asian republics and new Buddhism that is developing strongly in the large Western

cities.

Traditional Buddhist Regions (Buryatia, Tuva, Kalmykia)

Buryatia, Tuva and Kalmykia form Russia’s so-called “Golden Triangle of Buddhism,” where Buddhism is considered one of the country’s four traditional religions and part of its historical heritage.

Status: Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism) has a centuries-old history here, having a huge influence on the culture and national identity. After a period of repression under the Soviet Union, Buddhism has enjoyed a strong revival, with monasteries (datsans, khuruls) rebuilt and active.

Characteristics: The region is home to most of Russia’sBuddhists, numbering between 700,000 and 1.5 million, mainly from the Buryat, Tuva, and Kalmyk communities. Religious activities are linked to Tibetan folklore, medicine, and astrology.

Large Urban Cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg)

In large cities of the west, Buddhism is not the traditional religion of most ethnic Russians but is growing rapidly and attracting people to study Tibetan meditation and tantra.

Status: Buddhism is widely spread, especially the Diamond Way sects. Buddhist centers here serve as places for study, meditation practice and Dharma talks, attracting intellectuals and those seeking a philosophy of life.

Buddhist Centers and Datsans (Monasteries)

Petersburg has the Gunzechoinei Datsan, the northernmost Buddhist temple in Europe, built in 1908.
Moscow is currently building its first large Buddhist temple to serve its growing community. In the meantime, the city is home to several established institutions, including Tubden Shedubling Monastery, Grassland Temple, the Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center, the Korean Kwan Um Zen Monastery, the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (Padma Samye Ling), the Dzogchen Shri Singha Dharma Center Moscow, the Moscow Buddhist Center, the Drikung Kagyu Ratna Shrina Moscow Temple, and the Dhamma Dullabha Vipassana Meditation

The Republic of Buryatia is home to the Central Buddhist Temple—the Ivolginsky Datsan Monastery System, as well as Rinpoche Bagsh Datsan, Verkhnyaya Berezovka Datsan (Hambyn Hurae), Baldan Breybun Datsan (Tsongolsky Datsan), Atsagatsky Datsan, Gandan Datsan, Gandan-Zhamba- Lin Datsan, Egituysky Datsan, Zungun Darzhaling Nunnery, the Palace of Vajrasattva Buddha, Barguzinskiy Datsan and others.

The Republic of Tuva is home to several monasteries, including Thubten Shedrub Ling Datsan, Tsechenling Datsan, Ustuu-Khuree Datsan, Rabten Tashi Choyhorling Datsan, Khuree Tashipandelin Datsan and others.
The Republic of Kalmykia is home to several Buddhist monasteries and centers, including the Burkhan Baksin Altansume Golden Temple Buddhist Center, the Potala Buddhist Center, Samie Thiley Kunyal Polbarling, City Chess, Kagio Almasway Lama Datsan, Syaryusn Synme in Aishan Temple, the Chenrezi Religious Center led by Geshe Jampa Tinley, and

Buddhist Temples

in the Russian Federation

as Cultural and Spiritual Heritage

Buddhist temples in the Russian Federation represent the cultural and spiritual heritage of local Buddhist communities, primarily the Buryat, Kalmyk, and Tuvan peoples. In major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, these temples also serve as heritage sites for the growing Russian and international Buddhist communities.

Buryatia: The temples (datsans, khuruls or kiids) here are the traditional heritage of the Buryat, Tuvan and Kalmyk people who have followed Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana/Lamaism) for centuries. Buddhism is a core part of their cultural identity.

St. Petersburg: The Gunzechoinei Datsan is the oldest and most famous Buddhist temple here. It was built in the early twentieth century at the initiative of the Buryat Lama Agvan Dorzhiev with financial contributions from Buddhists in Buryatia and Kalmykia and with the support of the 13th Dalai Lama.

Moscow: The Buddhist centers and temples in Moscow are newer, built and maintained by the modern Russian Buddhist community and those from traditional or newly ordained regions or by foreign immigrants living in the capital.

In summary, these temples represent the heritage of ethnic communities and Buddhists who have lived, practiced, and preserved Buddhism in Russia for generations.

Spiritual Benefits of Visiting a Temple to Practice

Peace and tranquility: Temples in the Russian Federation and around the world provide serene and quiet spaces, ideal for meditation and prayer.

Receive blessings from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: Many temples house Buddha relics and other sacred objects, giving Buddhists and pilgrims the opportunity to visit, pray and receive blessings.

Connect with the Buddhist community: Visiting a temple allows people to engage with monks and the local Buddhist community, gaining teachings on Buddhist philosophy and practice.

Participate in special rituals: At large temples, such as the Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume Golden Temple Buddhist Center in Kalmykia, visitors can take part in traditional rituals, including circumambulating the temple clockwise, spinning Anmā nibādi hūm prayer wheels and chanting mantras.

Cultural and Educational Benefits of Visiting a Temple

Discover a unique culture: Temples and monasteries in the Russian Federation, particularly in Siberia, are situated in Buddhist regions with a distinctive culture that blends nomadic traditions and Tibetan Buddhism. Visiting these temples allows pilgrims to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s art, history, and customs.

Learn about Tibetan Buddhism: Much of Buddhism in Russia is directly influenced by Tibetan traditions. Visiting temples provides an opportunity to study and experience Tibetan Tantrism without leaving Europe.

Explore the history of Buddhism in modern Russia: Temples feature museums and libraries that display historical and cultural artifacts, helping visitors understand the revival of Buddhism in Russia after the Soviet era.

Experience unique architecture: Russian Buddhist temples are notable for their impressive mandala-inspired designs and large Buddha statues, reflecting a distinctive cultural exchange and architectural heritage.

Benefits for International Tourists

Unique spiritual experiences: Each temple and each region will offer unique and exploratory travel experiences, different from the usual destinations.

Attend cultural events: Temples host annual cultural events, such as “Tibetan Culture Day” and international seminars featuring presentations on Buddhist philosophy, Dharma talks, meditation sessions, tea gatherings, music performances, and art exhibitions. These events provide pilgrims with a unique and immersive cultural experience.

In summary, Buddhism in Russia is a religion with an important historical and cultural role, recognized by the government as one of the traditional religions. Buddhism represents diversity, both as a core national identity in the Asian republics and as a strongly developing spiritual trend in the urban centers of Europe.

This book, Russian Buddhism in The Twenty-First Century – The Door to Spirituality, welcomes all those who seek a deeper understanding of Buddhism and the journey of enlightenment in a land that seems to be unfamiliar with this religion—Buddhism.

***

APPENDIX

“The Buddhist World in the New Millennium” International Buddhist Forum in Elista, Kalmykia, Russia 2025

Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Giới Hương

he Republic of Kalmykia hosted the third International Buddhist Forum, which took place from September 25

to 28, 2025 with the theme, “The Buddhist World in the New Millennium.”⁹²

The Forum opened with great solemnity and grandeur, combining professional conferences, spiritual ceremonies, and rich cultural activities. Thousands of people attended these events, making Elista the center of attention of the Buddhist world for those days.

The grand opening ceremony made a strong impression with a spectacular multimedia show called “The Nomad’s Bet” or “Nomadic Peoples,” which used nine thirty-two-foot LED screens, projecting steppe landscapes, traditional Kalmyk songs, dances, and chant performances.

Banner of the third International Buddhist Forum with the theme, “The Buddhist World in the New Millennium” (Hội nghị Phật giáo Quốc tế lần thứ III với chủ đề “Thế giới Phật giáo trong Thiên niên kỷ Mới.) https://buddha.forum/ eng

Banner of the third International Buddhist Forum with the theme, “The Buddhist World in the New Millennium”

The third International Buddhist Forum, with over fifty events and panel discussions, was held, bringing together spiritual leaders, scholars, and politicians from thirty-five countries. Topics included the development of Buddhism in Russia, traditional medicine, Buddhist economics, and the role of Buddhist heritage in tourism.⁹³

The Nomad’s Bet performance opened the three-day Forum, September 25-28, 2025.

International forum in Russia’s Kalmykia to discuss development of Buddhism and tourism. The organizers have prepared over fifty events for

https://tvbrics.com/en/news/international-forum-in-russia-s-kalmykia-to- discuss-development-of-buddhism-and-tourism

Inside the conference hall. September 26, 2025

Ven. TN Giới Hương and G. Elena outside the Elista conference hall. September 26, 2025

Forum

Time and location: From September 25 to 28, 2025, at the Elista Conference Hall in the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia, Russian
Participants: Guests and delegates from thirty-five countries, including delegations from Brazil, China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal, Myanmar, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistana, and
Participation of Russia: The Buddhist regions of Russia, Buryatia, and Tuva also participated in the
Media partner: BRICS TV was the international media partner of the event.

Yellow-hatted lamas chanting sutras at the opening of the third International Buddhist Forum. September 26, 2025

Highlights: The Ministry of Culture, Government of India and the International Buddhist Confederation

(IBC) organized a painting exhibition titled “The Life and Teachings of the Buddha” depicting his journey from birth to Nirvana. The event highlighted the role of Buddhism in strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties and promoting Russia’s position on the international stage.

Opening Remarks by Distinguished Guests

President Putin: At the opening ceremony, a special message from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, was read by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Chernyshenko, followed by Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov. They welcomed the international guests and reaffirmed that “In times of rapid global change, Buddhist teachings are finding their place in the modern world.”⁹⁴

Greetings from Prime Minister Batu Khasikov, the leader of the Republic of Kalmykia:

“For Kalmykia, the Forum is an opportunity to contribute to strengthening the country’s international prestige. I am pleased that all Buddhist regions are involved in this effort and the results are already evident. It is important to emphasize that the Russian Federation is a multi-religious, multi-faith state that unites people. We are proud of this.”

His Holiness Geshe Tezin Choidak, the Supreme Lama of Kalmykia Buddhism, opened the Forum by emphasizing the symbolic significance of the number “three” in Buddhism, representing the Triple Gem:

Buddha: The Enlightened One

“The Buddhist World in the New Millennium,” theme of the third International Buddhist Forum 2025 in Elista, Kalmykia. https://buddha.forum/ en/home

Dharma: The teaching, the path to liberation
Sangha: The community of practitioners and guardians of the Dharma

With these three qualities, Buddhism plays an active role in promoting peace, harmony, and creativity.

Geshe Tezin Choidak Choidak, the Supreme Lama, leader of Kalmyk Buddhism (left) and Batu Khasikov, leader of the Republic of Kalmyk. September 27, 2025

Program and Activities

The Forum included thematic sessions where experts, researchers, and spiritual leaders focused on current challenges.

Key issues discussed include:

The situation and development of Buddhism in Russia
The development of traditional medicine
Buddhism and new modern technologies

3.1. First topic: Buddhism in Russian Regions and Opening Ceremony

Key speakers at the opening ceremony: The opening ceremony was attended by spiritual lamas, several high- ranking officials from the region, prominent Buddhists and was moderated by Alexey Alexandrovich Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Spiritual Lamas and Government Officials Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva, Myanmar. September26, 2025

Keynote speakers included:

Lama Geshe Yonten (Sergei Kirishov): Chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhists of Russia

Mr. Batu Sergeyevich Khasikov: Head of the Republic of Kalmykia

Geshe Tenzin Choydak: Lama of the Buddhist Republic of Buryatia

Mr. Alexey Sambuevich Tsydenov: Head of the Republic of Buryatia (since 2017)

His Holiness Gelek Natsyk-Dorzhu, Supreme Buddhist High Lama of Tuva

Mr. Vladislav Tovarishtayovich Khovalyg: Head of the Republic of Tuva (since 2021)

International delegates: Distinguished monks from China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Nepal

The theme “Buddhism of the Russian Federation” highlighted the strong history and traditions of Buddhism in Russia’s Buddhist republics.

History: Buddhism entered Kalmykia and Buryatia in the seventeenth century and Tuva in the eighteenth century.

Gelug tradition: All three republics follow a strong Gelug tradition (Yellow Hat sect, the school of the Dalai Lama). Young lamas from these regions are regularly sent to study in monasteries in India, such as Drepung Gomang, to maintain this tradition.

Status of religions in Russia: President Vladimir Putin’s recognition of Buddhism as a traditional and respected religion in the Russian Federation.

Honoring historical contributions: Honoring the role of the Buddhist community in the country’s history and their efforts during past conflicts.

Strengthening community connections: Developing a strategy to strengthen connections between Buddhist traditional regions (Kalmykia, Buryatia, Tuva) and emerging urban Buddhist communities in European Russia.

Buddhism as a unifying force in diverse Russian society: Helping to preserve traditional, spiritual, and ethical values.

Packed hall at the Elista third International Buddhist Forum.

September 27, 2025

3.2. Second topic: The Influence of Buddhist Values on the Choice of Economic Priorities

This topic focused on how core Buddhist principles can reshape economic thinking.

Core principles: Values such as nonviolence, compassion and wisdom can inspire alternative economic models.

Economic models: Nurturing resilient, compassionate communities that put ethics at the forefront of economic development.

3.3. Third topic: Buddhist Education

Speakers discussed modern challenges and educational solutions.

Preserving values in a digital world: Emphasizing the need to preserve traditional values in a digital, secular world, while promoting ethical responses to modern challenges.

Buddhist education: Reaching consensus around the eight- year curriculum and the importance of translating teachings into understandable Russian.

State support: The establishment of the Buddhist Education and Research Promotion Fund by 2025 to expand academic programs and media outreach, marking the integration of Buddhism into state-supported systems.

Interfaith Harmony: Stories of personal transformation through martial arts and philosophy were shared, celebrating interfaith harmony.

Ven. TN Giới Hương attends the Elista Forum.

September 27, 2025

3.4. Third topic: Pilgrimage, Tourism, and Forum Symbols

The theme highlighted the potential for developing pilgrimage tourism, the symbolic meaning of the logo and the role of Buddhism as a driving force for compassion.

Tourism development: Pilgrimage and tourism are recognized as a growing sector that not only deepens spiritual understanding but also boosts the local economy.

Forum logo: The logo—an image of a Buddha meditating on a lotus with technology-inspired roots—symbolizes Buddhism’s adaptability and longevity in the digital age.

Overall, the sessions and forums affirmed Buddhism as a powerful force for compassion, solidarity and resilience in the modern world.

Distinguished delegates and scholars with longstanding connections to the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) attended and presented at the Forum, including:

Distinguished monks:

Sayadaw Ashin Nyanissara, Sangha Raja of the Shwekyin Buddhist Order (Myanmar)

Khenpo Ugen Namgyel, Vice President of the IBC from Bhutan.

Lama Geshe Yonten from Russia IBC-affiliated-scholars:

Baatr Kitinov: Senior Research Fellow, Department of Oriental History, Institute of Oriental Studies

Professor Ranjana Mukhopadhyaya: Senior Professor, University of Delhi, Far Eastern Studies specialist

Sasaki Ricardo: Lecturer, Spiritual Director, Nalanda Centre for Buddhist Studies

Chandan Kumar: Associate Professor, Department of History, Delhi University, expert in Buddhist studies and international relations.

These figures regularly participate in major Buddhist events organized by IBC and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

3.5. Topic: Traditional Medicine Practices and Prospects in Buddhist Countries

This discussion focused on the following aspects:

Preservation and development: Discussed methods of preserving and developing traditional medicine, especially Tibetan medicine, in a modern context.

From right: Dr. E.S. Dzhirgalova, Ven. TN Giới Hương, Assistant of His Holiness, Vice-President of the Sangha and

Elena attend the Elista third International Buddhist Forum. September 27, 2025

International collaboration: Discussed promoting collaboration between universities and research institutions for joint research on different systems of medicine (e.g., Indian Ayurveda and Kalmyk traditional medicine).

Medical integration: Examined how to integrate traditional medicine into modern public health care systems.

Scientific research: Shared the latest research and scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of traditional treatments.

3.6. Topic: Buddhism and Innovative Technology

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) presented a remarkable innovative technology application and future vision at the event:

Translating Buddhist teachings into Russian: AI Chatbot Norbu from IBC hosted a demonstration of Norbu-Kalyana Mitta (Spiritual Friend), an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that provides a comprehensive understanding of Buddhist teachings in Russian. IBC is the global sponsor of this virtual technology, highlighting the intersection of ancient Buddhist traditions and modern technology.

The Forum had a modern twist with technology initiatives and infrastructure development:

Infrastructure development: Taking advantage of this opportunity, the local government signed forty-eight contracts for city renovation, built a new temple (khurul) in Ketchenery Village and started construction of the seventy-four-acre- Buddha Park.

Deep Spiritual and Cultural Activities

Elista comes alive with religious and cultural activities that attract a large public participation:

Buddha Relic exhibition: One of the most important highlights is the display of the sacred Buddha Relic from the National Museum of India, brought to Russia for the first time.

Drepung Gomang Sand Mandala: A delegation of lamas from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India spent six days meticulously creating a vibrant sand mandala of Avalokiteshvara.

Art exhibition: Attendees were able to admire Kalmyk art masterpieces from leading museums in Petersburg.
Rich cultural program: Forum attendees experienced Buddhist national culture through lectures, ceremonies, and ancillary events such as the first Buddhist chess
Closing event: The Forum concluded with a festival of traditional Kalmyk dance, chanting and international martial arts in the courtyard of the Burkhan Baksin Altansume Golden Temple Buddhist Center in Elista,⁹⁵

Golden Pagoda Buddhist Center Burkhan Baksin Altansume in Elista, Kalmykia

“The Buddhist World in the New Millennium,” theme of the third International Buddhist Forum held 2025 in Elista, https: //sundayguardianlive.com/ world/scholars-sangha-members-discuss-buddhism-at-a-forum-in-kalmykia- russia20250927002844-150877/. Last updated: September 27, 2025.

Conclusion

The organizers stressed that the core objective of the third International Buddhist Forum was to form a common vision for the development of Buddhism in the new millennium and at the same time, strongly affirm that Buddhism is an integral part of the culture of the Russian Federation and world culture.⁹⁶

The Forum primarily focused on examining the evolving role of Buddhism amid rapid global transformations, highlighting its spiritual, social, cultural, and economic relevance in the contemporary world. It brought together spiritual leaders, Buddhist experts, government officials, and public figures from thirty-five countries.

The Forum took place in Elista, Kalmykia, an appropriate setting given that it is the only European region where Buddhism is the predominant faith. Elista is known as the “Buddhist capital of Europe,” making it a symbolic and central location for Buddhist activities.

Key reasons include:

It’s a unique Buddhist center: The Republic of Kalmykia is the only federal subject in Russia—and the only region in Europe—where Buddhism is the majority religion, with Buddhists comprising 47.6 percent of the population according to a 2012 survey.

It has a long history and enduring traditions: The Kalmyks descend from the Oirat people, who migrated from Central Asia to the Lower Volga region in the early seventeenth century. Despite historical challenges, including periods of repression followed by revival, they have successfully preserved their distinct cultural and religious identity.

“The Buddhist World in the New Millennium,” theme of the third International Buddhist Forum 2025 held in Elista, https://tvbrics.com/en/ news/international-forum-in-russia-s-kalmykia-to-discuss-development-of- buddhism-and-tourism/

Strong recovery: After the period of religious repression under the Soviet regime, Buddhism in Kalmykia has had a strong recovery. Temples and monasteries (khurul) have been rebuilt, attracting the attention of the international Buddhist community.

Attention-grabbing goal: The organization of international conferences here aims to attract the attention of the scientific community and Buddhists at home and abroad on the issues of preserving and promoting Buddhist heritage, and at the same time promoting spiritual tourism

Overall, the third International Buddhist Forum is a multidimensional event, deeply combining traditional spiritual elements with modern economic, cultural, and technological development goals of Kalmykia and is a place for Buddhist countries and regions to connect and strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties.

From left: G. Elena, Ven. TN Giới Hương and Dr. E. S. Dzhirgalova at the gate of the Golden Temple (Burkan Bhaksin Altan Sume) in Elista, Kalmykia. September 25, 2025

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“History of the Tuvan ” Discover Altai, n.d. https://www.discoveraltai.com/tuvan-people/
“How the Buddhist New Year Is Celebrated in Siberia (Photos).” Gateway to Russia, n.d. https://www.gw2ru. com/travel/3701-buddhist-new-year-siberia
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“International Forum in Russia’s Kalmykia to Discuss Development of Buddhism and Tourism.” TV BRICS, September 17, https://tvbrics.com/en/news/ international-forum-in-russia-s-kalmykia-to-discuss- development-of-buddhism-and-tourism/
Kamalakaran, Ajay. “Major Buddhist Shrines in and around ” Russia Beyond, January 9, 2016. https://www.rbth.com/arts/travel/2016/01/09/major- buddhist-shrines-in-and-around-moscow_556121
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“Lamas from All over Buryatia, China and India Will Join Forces to Translate Lama Choydag Badmazhapov’s Explanatory Dictionary of the Tibetan ” Buddha-Forum.ru, n.d. https://buddha-forum.ru/tpost/ cfthuiifl1-lamas-from-all-over-buryatia-china-and-i
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Milivojevic, “Tolstoy’s Views on Buddhism.” University of Oklahoma. Accessed December 21, 2025. http://sites.utoronto.ca/tolstoy/vol3/pagespercent2062- 75percent20criticismpercent20volumepercent203.pdf
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Quijada, Justine Buddhists, Shamans, and Soviets: Rituals of History in Post-Soviet Buryatia. Oxford Ritual Studies Series. New York: Oxford University Press,2019.

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Vietnamese:

Giáo sư Trần Quang Thuận, Phật giáo Nga, nhà xuất bản Tôn giáo, Hà Nội,
Nguyễn Văn Dũng. Tôn giáo và đời sống chính trị - xã hội ở một số nước trên thế giới. NXB Chính trị quốc gia, Hà Nội
The Tribune, Sự du nhập và phát triển của Phật giáo tại https://phatsutanvien.vn/su-du-nhap-va-phat-trien- cua-phat-giao-tai-nga/
Phật Giáo tại Nga, Thích Nguyên Tạng tổng hợp. https:// tuvienquangduc.com.au/quocte/01pgkhaptg-nga. html
Thích Như Điển, Chùa Việt trên đất https:// quangduc.com/a59645/chua-viet-tren-dat-nga
Hòa thượng T Như Điển, Ni sư Tuệ Đàm Hương, Lịch sử về sự thành lập Chùa Thảo Đường, Moscow. Trang Nhà Quảng Đức. . https://quangduc.com/a61444/lich-su-ve-su-thanh-lap-chua-thao-duong

Hoa Sen: Số 34, Phật Lịch 2534, Chùa Giác Minh, East Palo Alto, California, Hoa Kỳ.
Phật giáo trong thế kỷ mới, II, Giao Ðiểm Xuất bản,1997, California, Hoa Kỳ.
Siberian Times, Tổng thống Putin Viếng thăm Sberia để Đón chào Phật giáo và Lịch sử đạo Phật với Vai trò Quan trọng tại Nga, biên dịch: Thích Vân Phong https://quangduc.com/a71578/tong-thong-putin-vieng- tham-sberia-de-don-chao-phat-giao-va-lich-su-dao- phat-voi-vai-tro-quan-trong-tai-nga
Ts Nguyễn Văn Dũng, Khái quát về Phật giáo ở Liên bang https://btgcp.gov.vn/nghien-cuu-khoa-hoc- va-trao-doi-y-kien/Khai_quat_ve_Phat_giao_o_Lien_ bang_Nga-postmrRXyBPaD6.html
Minh Ngọc, Phật giáo tại http://www. buddhismtoday.com/viet/pgtg/nuoc/030-PGtaiNga.htm
Nhikolai Shyrempilov. Phật giáo tại Nga: quá khứ và hiện tại. Tạp chí Vlast, 2013, số
The Buddhist Door, Phật giáo Tuva bầu chọn lãnh đạo mới, Đức Hòa,. https://giacngo.vn/phat-giao-tuva-bau- chon-lanh-dao-moi-post53403.html
Triển lãm Xá lợi Phật tại Kalmykia, Tâm Tuệ tổng hợp/ Báo Giác Ngộ. https://giacngo.vn/tong-thong-putin- cong-dong-phat-giao-nga-dang-gin-giu-can-than-di- san-tinh-than-vo-gia-cua-to-tien-post77565.html
Cộng hòa Nhân dân Tuva. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Cộng_hòa_Nhân_dân_Tuva
Sự Du nhập và Phát triển của Phật giáo ở Cộng hòa Liên bang https://www.phattuvietnam.net/su-du-nhap- va-phat-trien-cua-phat-giao-o-cong-hoa-lien-bang-nga/
Russia Beyond, Quốc gia Phật giáo duy nhất ở châu Âu, Cộng hòa Kalmykia, Vân Tuyền, https://phatgiaodaklak.org/mobile/quoc-gia-phat-giao- duy-nhat-o-chau-au-cong-hoa-kalmykia.html

Elista - Kinh đô phật giáo ở châu Âu https://vtv.vn/doi-song/elista-kinh-do-phat-giao-o-chau- au-20191025225817322.htm
Chùm ảnh: Khám phá Kalmykia-vùng đất Phật giáo duy nhất của châu Âu. https://redsvn.net/chum-anh- kalmykia-vung-dat-phat-giao-duy-nhat-cua-chau-au/
IBC, Hàng vạn Phật tử Nga chiêm bái Xá lợi Đức Phật tại Kalmykia-Dấu ấn tâm linh từ Ấn Độ, Nguyễn Thị Thái Hà, https://phatsuonline.vn/hang-van-phat-tu-nga-chiem- bai-xa-loi-duc-phat-tai-kalmykia-dau-an-tam-linh-tu- an-do-15
Lê Công Hội|, Kalmykia - một góc Trung Á ở châu Âu https://hanoimoi.vn/kalmykia-mot-goc-trung-a-o-chau- au-488791.html
Ostrovskaya E.A.-Phật giáo Nga// Tuyển tập Phật giáo tại Nga: Lịch sử và hiện đại, Saint Petersburgs
Khám phá kinh đô Phật giáo giữa lòng châu Âu. Nguồn: gov.vn. https://phatgiaodaklak.org/van-hoa/ danh-lam-kien-truc/kham-pha-kinh-do-phat-giao-giua- long-chau-au.html
The Buddhist Door, Tam giác vàng Phật giáo ở Liên bang Nga, Đức Hòa tổng hợp. . https://giacngo.vn/tam- giac-vang-phat-giao-o-lien-bang-nga-post50382.html
https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmykia
Kalmykia - Xứ sở Phật giáo “độc nhất vô nhị” châu Âu https://kienthuc.net.vn/xu-so-phat-giao-doc-nhat-vo- nhi-chau-au-post123468.html
Velvl Chernin, Phật tử Nga và cuộc chiến ở Ukraine, Việt dịch: Thích Vân Phong . Nguồn: The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA Center) https://tapchinghiencuuphathoc.vn/phat-tu-nga-va- cuoc-chien-o-ukraine.html

Trung tâm phật giáo nước nga tại thành phố Ulan-Ude http://donghuonggroup.ru/vi/tin-tuc-va-su-kien.nd4/ trung-tam-phat-giao-nuoc-nga-tai-thanh-pho-ulan
Phật giáo Nga, Đức tin vượt biên giới: Sự tồn tại của Phật pháp ở Nga https://www.aninews.in/
Khám phá miền đất Phật ở Liên bang Nga, Nhật Linh - khắc Long (Phóng viên THVN tại LB Nga), 24/09/2023. https://vtv.vn/the-gioi/kham-pha-mien-dat-phat-o-lien- bang-nga-20230924122030022.htm
Hội nghị thượng đỉnh Phật giáo toàn cầu giúp lan tỏa tinh hoa Phật giáo ra thế giới. https://vtv.vn/the-gioi/hoi- nghi-thuong-dinh-phat-giao-toan-cau-giup-lan-toa-tinh- hoa-phat-giao-ra-the-gioi-20230424182307096.htm
Evgenii Vlasov, Phật giáo tại Liên Bang Nga https://tnti.vnu.edu.vn/phat-giao-tai-lien-bang-nga/

Các Tổ Chức Phật Giáo Góp Phần Duy Trì Hòa Bình, Hòa Hợp Và Hiểu Biết Lẫn Nhau. https://vov.gov.vn/ cac-to-chuc-phat-giao-gop-phan-duy-tri-hoa-binh-hoa- hop-va-hieu-biet-lan-nhau-dtnew-990521
The Buddhist Door, Đăng Minh, Ni viện Phật giáo duy nhất tại Liên bang https://www.phatgiaodongnai.org/ni-vien-phat-giao- duy-nhat-tai-lien-bang-nga.html
Nataly Teplitsky, Nhục thân bất hoại của vị Lạt ma Phật Giáo người Nga tại Buryatia https://www.epochtimesviet.com/nhuc-than-bat-hoai- cua-vi-lat-ma-phat-giao-nguoi-nga_189005.html
Elista - Kinh đô phật giáo ở châu Âu, PV Thường trú Đài THVN tại Ngahttps://vtv.vn/the-gioi/nga-lan-dau-tien-to-chuc-dien- dan-phat-giao-quoc-te-20230819165508443.htm

Sáu Ngôi Chùa Đẹp Khó Lòng Bỏ Qua Ở Nga https://chuabuuda.org/vn/6-ngoi-chua-dep-kho-long-bo- qua-o-nga.html
Một cao Tăng của Phật giáo Nga sau 80 năm viên tịch vẫn như còn sống. https://giacngo.vn/mot-cao-tang- cua-phat-giao-nga- sau-80-nam-vien-tich-van-nhu-con- song-post6903.html
Thứ trưởng Vũ Chiến Thắng giới thiệu về Phật giáo Việt Nam tại Diễn đàn Phật giáo Quốc tế lần thứ 2. https://giacngo.vn/thu-truong-vu-chien-thang- gioi-thieu-ve-phat-giao-viet-nam-tai-dien-dan- phat-giao-quoc-te-lan-thu-2-post72805.html https://moha.gov.vn/tintuc/Pages/lists.aspx?ItemID=56301
29) Ulan https://vi.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ulan_Ude
Mười ngày văn hóa Phật giáo ở St Petersburg, ruvr.ru. https://www.daophatngaynay.com/ vn/tin-tuc/quoc-te/7766-Muoi-ngay-van-hoa-Phat-giao- o-St-Petersburg.html
Thúc đẩy du lịch tâm linh Việt Nam - Cộng hoà Kalmykia, Liên bang Nga https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/thuc-day-du-lich-tam- linh-viet-nam-cong-hoa-kalmykia-lien-bang- nga-20250205090634691.htm
Rustam Tagirovich Sabirov-Phật giáo Nga và Mông Cổ đầu thế kỷ XXI, Viện nhân văn Kalmyk, 2017, số
Tuva “Thubten Shedrub Ling”, Tu viện Phật giáo lớn nhất ở https://kevesko.vn/20230428/22707880.html
Huỳnh Văn Úc, Đạo Phật ở Nước https://www .vanchuongviet.or g/index. php?comp=tacpham&action=detail&id=19026

Gunzechoinei Datsan ở Saint Petersburg, Nga https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datsan_Gunzechoinei
Nga: Kỷ niệm 100 năm thành lập tu viện ở Petersburg https://phatgiao.org.vn/nga-ky-niem-100-nam-thanh- lap-tu-vien-o-stpetersburg-d19788.html
Những bước chuyển đổi quan điểm của nhà nước Liên Xô đối với Phật giáo Liên Xô. http://hoangphap.info/ aspx?ArticleID=2792&SubID=3&ID=1
Đặng Tú, Trung tâm lịch sử Saint Petersburg và các nhóm di tích liên quan, http:// bm kt c n .c om / i nde x.php? opt i on= c om _ content&task=view&id=10129&Itemid=153
Một thoáng Saint Petersburg, thủ đô văn hóa của nước Nga https://special.vietnamplus.vn/2021/10/14/visiting- saint-petersburg/
RussiaBeyondTheHeadlines,Cónhững“ngôichùa”trong tâmngườidânMoscow,LBNga,biêndịch:ThíchVânPhong https://tapchinghiencuuphathoc.vn/co-nhung-ngoi- chua-trong-tam-nguoi-dan-moscow-lb-nga.html
Phương Mai, Niệm Phật đường Mátxcơva: Từ ước mơ tới hiện thực https://tienphong.vn/niem-phat-duong-matxcova-tu- uoc-mo-toi-hien-thuc-post706564.tpo
Niệm Phật Đường Moscow - 10 năm song hành cùng người Việt tại Nga https://vov.vn/nguoi-viet/niem-phat-duong-moscow-10- nam-song-hanh-cung-nguoi-viet-tai-nga-post1116716. vov
Viện nghiên cứu xã hội Nga, tháng 3/2010 http://wciom. ru/index.php?id=268&uid=13365
Berita Bhagavant, Hai Quốc gia Chủ thể liên bang của Nga Chủ yếu theo Đạo Phật, biên dịch: Thích Vân Phong

World Religion News, Sự đa dạng của Tôn giáo tại Nga trong đó có Phật giáo, Thích Vân Phong https://www.daophatngaynay.com/vn/en/tin-tuc/quoc- te/18983-su-da-dang-cua-ton-giao-tai-nga-trong-do-co- phat-giao.html
Russia Beyond, Cộng hòa Kalmykia, quốc gia Phật giáo duy nhất ở Châu Âu, biên dịch: Vân Tuyền https://phatgiao.org.vn/cong-hoa-kalmykia-quoc-gia- phat-giao-duy-nhat-o-chau-au-d30037.html
Pubaev E., Sanziev G.L. 250 năm Phật giáo tại Buryat và Nga, Tài liệu Hội thảo ngày 16-17/7/1991, Ulan-Ude 1991.
Văn hóa https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_hoa_ Nga
Minh Thạnh, Quan điểm của người Nga về Phật giáo https://www.phattuvietnam.net/quan-diem-cua-nguoi- nga-ve-phat-giao/

Phật giáo trong cộng đồng người Việt tại LB Nga https://vovworld.vn/vi-VN/nguoi-viet-muon-phuong/ phat-giao-trong-cong-dong-nguoi-viet-tai-lb- nga-704777.vov
Moscow ở đâu?-Thủ Đô của Nga Có gì Nổi tiếng? https://toidi.net/diem-den-nuoc-ngoai/thanh-pho- moscow-o-dau-la-gi-co-gi-noi-tieng.html
Minh Thạnh, Chính Sách “Tôn Giáo Truyền Thống” Nga Và Những Kinh Nghiệm Có Thể Tham Khảo https://giacngo.vn/chinh-sach-ton-giao-truyen-thong- nga-va-nhung-kinh-nghiem-co-the-tham-khao- html
Ylarion Alfeev, Oleg Koryto, Valentin Vasechko, Lịch sử tôn giáo, 2016.
Thái Đại Nhã, Epoch Times Hoa ngữ, Tìm lại kho tàng văn

hóa nghệ thuật trên đất nước Nga, biên dịch: Xuân Hoàng https://www.epochtimesviet.com/tim-lai-kho-tang-van- hoa-nghe-thuat-tren-dat-nuoc-nga_308028.html

Nguyễn Đức Kha, Kinh nghiệm của Liên bang Nga trong ứng phó với các thách thức an ninh phi truyền thống vùng dân tộc thiểu số. https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/the-gioi- van-de-su-kien/-/2018/819649/kinh-nghiem-cua-lien- bang-nga-trong-ung-pho--voi-cac-thach-thuc-an-ninh- phi-truyen-thong-vung-dan-toc-thieu-so.aspx

***

BAO ANH LAC BOOKSHELF

Revised by Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Giới Hương

1.1. The Vietnamese Books

Bồ-tát và Tánh Không Trong Kinh Tạng Pali và Đại Thừa (Bodhisattva and Sunyata in the Early and Developed Buddhist Traditions)
Ban Mai Xứ Ấn (the Dawn in India) - Tuyển tập các Tiểu Luận Phật Giáo (Collection of Buddhist Essays), (3 tập)
Sārnātha - Vườn Nai – Chiếc Nôi Phật Giáo (Sārnātha -

Deer Park–the Cradle of Buddhism)

Quy Y Tam Bảo và Năm Giới (Take Refuge in Three Gems and Keep the Five Precepts)
Vòng Luân Hồi (The Cycle of Life)
Hoa Tuyết Milwaukee (Snowflake in Milwaukee)
Luân Hồi trong Lăng Kính Lăng Nghiêm (Rebirth in Śūrangama Sūtra)
Nghi Thức Hộ Niệm, Cầu Siêu (The Ritual for the Deceased)
Quan Âm Quảng Trần (The Commentary of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva)
Nữ Tu và Tù Nhân Hoa Kỳ (A Nun and American Inmates)
Nếp Sống Tỉnh Thức của Đức Đạt Lai Lạt Ma Thứ XIV (The Awakened Mind of the 14^th Dalai Lama)

A-Hàm: Mưa pháp chuyển hóa phiền não (Agama – A Dharma Rain Transforms the Defilement), 2 tập
Góp Từng Hạt Nắng Perris (Collection of Sunlight in Perris).
Pháp Ngữ của Kinh Kim Cang (Key Words of Vajracchedikā- Prajñāpāramitā-Sūtra)
Tập Thơ Nhạc Nắng Lăng Nghiêm (Songs and Poems of Śūraṅgama Sunlight)
Nét Bút Bên Song Cửa (Reflections at the Temple Window)
Máy Nghe MP3 Hương Sen (Hương Sen Digital Mp3 Radio Speaker): Các Bài Giảng, Sách, Bài viết và Thơ Nhạc của Thích Nữ Giới Hương (383/201 bài); Lectures, Books, Articles and Poems by Gioi Huong (383/201 songs)
DVD Giới Thiệu về Chùa Hương Sen, USA (Introduction to Huong Sen Temple)
Ni Giới Việt Nam Hoằng Pháp tại Hoa Kỳ (Sharing the Dharma - Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns in the United States)
Tuyển Tập 40 Năm Tu Học & Hoằng Pháp của Ni sư Giới Hương (Forty Years in the Dharma: A Life of Study and Service—Venerable Bhikkhuni Giới Hương), Thích Nữ Viên Quang, TN Viên Nhuận, TN Viên Tiến, and TN Viên Khuông
Tập Thơ Nhạc Lối Về Sen Nở (Songs and Poems of Lotus Blooming on the Way)
Nghi Thức Công Phu Khuya – Thần Chú Thủ Lăng Nghiêm (Śūraṅgama Mantra)

Nghi Thức Cầu An – Kinh Phổ Môn (The Universal Door Sūtra)
Nghi Thức Cầu An – Kinh Dược Sư (The Medicine Buddha Sūtra)
Nghi Thức Sám Hối Hồng Danh (Ritual of Repentance and Invocation of Sacred Names)

Nghi Thức Công Phu Chiều – Mông Sơn Thí Thực (The Evening Chanting Ritual – Offering Food to Hungry Ghosts)
Khóa Tịnh Độ – Kinh A Di Đà (The Amitabha Buddha Sūtra).
Nghi Thức Cúng Linh và Cầu Siêu (Ritual of Offering to the Spirits and Praying for the Deceased)
Nghi Lễ Hàng Ngày - 50 Kinh Tụng và các Lễ Vía trong Năm (Daily Chanting Rituals and Annual Ceremonies)

Hương Đạo Trong Đời 2022 (Tuyển tập 60 Bài Thi trong Cuộc Thi Viết Văn Ứng Dụng Phật Pháp 2022, The Path of Life 2022 (Collection of Sixty Essays from the 2022 Applied Buddhist Philosophy Writing Contest)
Hương Pháp 2022 (Tuyển Tập Các Bài Thi Trúng Giải Cuộc Thi Viết Văn Ứng Dụng Phật Pháp 2022 (Collection of Winning Entries from the 2022 Applied Buddhist Essay Writing Contest)
Giới Hương - Thơm Ngược Gió Ngàn (Giới Hương – The Virtue Fragrance Against the Thousand Winds), Nguyên Hà
Pháp Ngữ Kinh Hoa Nghiêm (Dharma Teachings of the Avatamsaka Sutra (Buddhaavatamsaka-nāma mahāvaipulya- sūtra) (2 volumes)
Tinh Hoa Kinh Hoa Nghiêm (The Essence of the Avatamsaka Sutra)

Phật Giáo – Tầm Nhìn Lịch Sử Và Thực Hành (Buddhism: A Historical and Practical Vision). Hiệu đính: Thích Hạnh Chánh và Thích Nữ Giới Hương
Nhật ký Hành Thiền Vipassana và Kinh Tứ Niệm Xứ (Diary: Practicing Vipassana and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Sutta)
Nghi cúng Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve Ceremony)
Nghi cúng Rằm Tháng Giêng (The Ceremony of the First Month’s Full Moon)

Nghi thức Lễ Phật Đản (The Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony)
Nghi thức Vu Lan (The Ullambana Festival or Parent Day)
Lễ Vía Quan Âm (The Avolokiteshvara Day)
Nghi cúng Thánh Tổ Kiều Đàm Di (The Death Anniversary of Mahapajapati Gotami)
Nghi thức cúng Tổ và Giác linh Sư trưởng (The Ancestor Day)
Nghi Lễ Chẩn Tế Mười Hai Loại Cô Hồn (Offering Food to the Twelve Ghosts)
Kỷ Yếu Lễ Tưởng Niệm Thánh Tổ Kiều Đàm Di tại Chùa Hương Sen năm 2024 (The Yearbook of the Commemoration of Mahapajapati Gotami at Huong Sen Temple in 2024)
Nghi Thức Cầu Siêu Chư Hương Linh Thai Nhi (Prayer for the Souls of Unborn Babies (Miscarriage, Abortion, Termination, Stillbirth)
Kim Quang Minh Kinh Sám Trai Thiên Khóa Nghi (The Golden Light Sutra - Heavenly Course)
Phật Giáo và Thánh Tích Sri Lanka (Buddhism and Holy Buddhist Places in Sri Lanka)
Đấu Tranh Bất Bạo Động Là Nền Tảng Xây Dựng Hòa Bình Toàn Cầu (Nonviolent Struggle - the Foundation for Building Global Peace)
Vũ Trụ Luận dưới lăng kính Khoa học và Phật Giáo (Cosmology under the Lens of Science and Buddhism)

COVID-19: Vai trò Phật Giáo trong Việc Chữa Lành (COVID-19: The Role of Buddhism in Healing)

Đại Dịch Coronavirus trong Thế Kỷ XXI (Coronavirus Pandemic in the Twenty-First Century)
Đóng góp của Phật Giáo cho Hòa Bình Thế Giới và Hòa Hợp Xã Hội (Contribution of Buddhism for World Peace & Social Harmony).

Phật Giáo Toàn Cầu - Đặc Biệt Liên Kết Với Sri Lanka (Global Spread of Buddhism with Special Reference to Sri Lanka)
Phật Giáo Sri Lanka từ Thế Kỷ 19-21 (Buddhism in Sri Lanka during the Period of 19th to Twenty-First Centuries)
Ngày Nhà Giáo Việt Nam 20/11 – Tri Ân Người Khai Trí (Vietnamese Teachers’ Day November 20 - Gratitude to the Master Guiding the knowledge)
Lịch Sử Giáo Dục Phật Giáo ở Sri Lanka: Sự Phục Hồi của Ni Đoàn Tỳ-kheo-ni (History of Buddhist Education in Sri Lanka: Revival of The Bhikkhuni Sangha)
Sự Tiến Hóa của Vũ Trụ, Con Người và Nghiệp Báo (The Evolution of the Universe, Humans and Karma)
Vũ Trụ Luận dưới lăng kính Khoa Học và Phật Giáo (Cosmology through the Lens of Science and Buddhism).

Phật giáo Nga thế kỷ XXI – Cánh cửa Tâm linh, Thích Nữ Giới Hương, Với lời giới thiệu của Did Khambo Lama Sodnomdorzhiev, Đức Phó Tăng Thống Giáo hội Phật giáo
Ni giới nước Nga
Phật Giáo Châu Phi Thế Kỷ XXI

1.2. The English Books

Bodhisattva and Sunyata in the Early and Developed Buddhist Traditions

Rebirth Views in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra
Commentary of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva
Key Words in Vajracchedikā Sūtra
Sārnātha the Cradle of Buddhism (From an Archeological Perspective)

Cycle of Life
Forty Years in the Dharma: A Life of Study and Service— Venerable Bhikkhuni Giới Hương
Sharing the Dharma-Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns in the United States
A Buddhist Nun and American Inmates
Daily Monastic Chanting
Weekly Buddhist Discourse Chanting
Practice Meditation and Pure Land
The Ceremony for Peace
The Lunch Offering Ritual
The Ritual Offering Food to Hungry Ghosts
The Pureland Course of Amitabha Sutra
The Medicine Buddha Sutra
The New Year Ceremony
The Great Parinirvana Ceremony
The Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony
The Ullambana Festival (Parents’ Day)
The Marriage Ceremony
The Blessing Ceremony for the Deceased
The Ceremony Praising Ancestral Masters
The Enlightened Buddha Ceremony
The Uposatha Ceremony (Reciting Precepts)
Buddhism: A Historical and Practical Vision. Edited by Dr. Thich Hanh Chanh and Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong
Contribution of Buddhism for World Peace & Social Harmony. Edited by Dr. Buddha Priya MahaThero and Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong

Global Spread of Buddhism with Special Reference to Sri Lanka. Buddhist Studies Seminar in Kandy Edited by Dr. Ven. Kahawatte Siri Sumedha Thero and Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong
Buddhism in Sri Lanka During the Period of Nineteen to Twenty-First Centuries. Buddhist Studies Seminar in Edited by Prof. Ven. Medagama Nandawansa and Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong
Diary: Practicing Vipassana and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Sutta

Prayer for the Souls of Unborn
Nonviolent Struggle - the Foundation for Building Global Peace

History of Buddhist Education in Sri Lanka: Revival of the Bhikkhuni Sangha

The Essential Teachings of Avataṃsaka Sūtra (Tinh Hoa Kinh Hoa Nghiêm)
Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century – The Door to Spirituality (Phật giáo nước Nga thế kỷ XXI – Cánh Cửa Tâm linh)
Buddhism in Africa in the Twenty-First Century (Phật giáo Châu Phi Thế Kỷ XXI)
Buddhism and Sacred Sites of Sri Lanka. (Phật giáo và Thánh Tích Tích Lan)

1.3. The Bilingual Books (Vietnamese-English)

Bản Tin Hương Sen: Xuân, Phật Đản, Vu Lan (Hương Sen Newsletter: Spring, Buddha Birthday and Vu Lan, annual/ Mỗi Năm)

Danh Ngôn Nuôi Dưỡng Nhân Cách - Good Words Nurture a Good Manner
Văn Hóa Đặc Sắc của Nước Nhật Bản - Exploring the Unique Culture of Japan
Sống An Lạc dù Đời không Đẹp như Mơ - Live Peacefully though Life is not Beautiful as a Dream
Hãy Nói Lời Yêu Thương - Words of Love and Understanding
Văn Hóa Cổ Kim qua Hành Hương Chiêm Bái - The Ancient and Modern Culture through Pilgrimage and Worship
Nghệ Thuật Biết Sống - Art of Living
Dharamshala - Hành Hương Vùng Đất Thiêng, Ấn Độ, Dharamshala - Pilgrimage to the Sacred Land, India
The Great Contribution to World Peace and Social Harmony of Emperor Ashoka and Emperor Trần Nhân Tông - Sự Đóng Góp cho Hòa Bình Thế Giới và An toàn Xã Hội của Hoàng Đế A-Dục và Vua Trần Nhân Tông

1.4. Translated Books

Xá Lợi Của Đức Phật (Relics of the Buddha), Tham Weng Yew
Sen Nở Nơi Chốn Tử Tù (Lotus in Prison), many
Chùa Việt Nam Hải Ngoại (Overseas Vietnamese Buddhist Temples)
Việt Nam Danh Lam Cổ Tự (The Famous Ancient Buddhist Temples in Vietnam)
Hương Sen, Thơ và Nhạc – (Lotus Fragrance, Poem and Music)
Phật Giáo - Một Bậc Đạo Sư, Nhiều Truyền Thống (Buddhism: One Teacher – Many Traditions), Đức Đạt Lai Lạt Ma 14^th & Ni Sư Thubten Chodren

Cách Chuẩn Bị Chết và Giúp Người Sắp Chết - Quan Điểm Phật Giáo (Preparing for Death and Helping the Dying – A Buddhist Perspective)

Buddhist Music Albums From Poems of Thích Nữ Giới Hương

Đào Xuân Lộng Ý Kinh (The Buddha’s Teachings Reflected in Cherry Flowers)
Niềm Tin Tam Bảo (Trust in the Three Gems)
Trăng Tròn Nghìn Năm Đón Chờ Ai (The Thousand-Year Full Moon Awaits)
Ánh Trăng Phật Pháp (Moonlight of Dharma-Buddha)
Bình Minh Tỉnh Thức (Awakened Mind at the Dawn) (Piano Variations for Meditation)

Tiếng Hát Già Lam (Song from the Temple)
Cảnh Đẹp Chùa Xưa (The Magnificent, Ancient Buddhist Temple)
Karaoke Hoa Ưu Đàm Đã Nở (An Udumbara Flower Is Blooming)
Hương Sen Ca (Hương Sen’s Songs)
Về Chùa Vui Tu (Happily Go to Temple for Spiritual Practices)
Gọi Nắng Xuân Về (Call the Spring Sunlight)
Đệ Tử Phật (Buddhist Disciples)
Hoa Pháp Cú (Dhammapada Flower)
Vu Lan Báo Hiếu (Filial Piety in the Vu Lan Season)

Please visit: http://www.huongsentemple.com/index.php/kinh- sach/tu-sach-bao-anh-lac

About the Author

orn in 1963 in Bình Thuận, Vietnam, Dr. Bhikṣuṇī Giới Hương entered the monastic life at the age of

fifteen under the tutelage of the renowned Master, the Most Venerable Bhikkhunī Hải Triều Âm. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from Sài Gòn University in 1994, followed by fifteen years of intensive study in India, culminating in a Ph.D. in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Delhi in 2003.

Since relocating to the United States in 2005, she earned a second Bachelor’s in Literature from the University of California, Riverside (2015). Today, she shares her expertise as a lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in Ho Chi Minh City and various Buddhist centers across the United States.

Finding inspiration in the profound silence of Dharma contemplation, Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Giới Hương is a prolific author, translator, and lyricist. Under her Bảo Anh Lạc Bookshelf, she has published an impressive collection of 120 titles in both English and Vietnamese as of February 2026.¹

In April 2010, she founded the Hương Sen Temple in Perris, California, where she currently serves as Abbess. This ten-acre sanctuary, nestled in the semi-desert of southern California, was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) religious nonprofit in June 2011. Today, the temple is home to the Abbess, six resident Bhikṣuṇī disciples, and their three canine companions: Rosie, Bruno, and Rudy.

Please read the whole book with colorful photos Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century The Door of Spirituality: 112-Russian_Buddhism_English-Inside_20260224.pdf

1 https://huongsentemple.com/index.php/vn/kinh-sach/tu-sach-bao-anh-lac

Tủ sách Bảo Anh Lạc

Russian Buddhism in the Twenty-First Century, The Door of Spirituality, Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong

PREFACE

Chapter 1

1.

Russian Federation

1. History of Russia from the Ninth to Twenty-First Century

2.a. The Ninth to Sixteenth Centuries from the Principality of Kiev to the Grand Duchy of Moscow

2.b. Seventeenth to nineteenth centuries-Russian Empire

2.c. The twentieth century Russian and Soviet revolutions

2.d. The Twenty-First Century Russian Federation

1. Ancient Culture of Russia

3.1. Art and Literature

3.1.c. Poetry and Literature

3.1.d. Theater Arts

3.2. Traditions and Customs

3.2.b. Culinary Traditions

3.2.c. Family Tradition

3.2.d. Religious Traditions

3.2.f. Four Seasons

3.3.b. The Custom of Returning Home to One’s Country Home on Weekends or Summer Vacations

3.3.c. Gift-giving Customs

3.3.e. Culture of Wishing Good Health

3.3.f. Cultural Symbols (unofficial)

Chapter 2

1. The Origin of Buddhism in Russia in the First-Eighth Centuries

1. The Appearance of Buddhism in Russia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries

1. Buddhism in Russia in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries

2. Buddhism in Russia

3. The State of Buddhism after the Patriotic War

International integration:

1. The Revival of Russian Buddhism in the Late Twentieth Century

1. Russian Buddhism

LEADERS OF THE THREE BUDDHIST REPUBLICS:

REPULIC OF ALTAI:

CONCLUSION:

Chapter 3

1.

Moscow, the Capital of Russia

2. Buddhism in Moscow

3. Buddhist Temples in Moscow

3.1. Tubden Shedubling Datsan, the First Temple in Moscow

Photos of Tubden Shedubling

3.2. Thảo Đường Temple–Grassland Temple

a. The Origin of the Thao Duong Buddhist Association and Thao Duong Pagoda

b. The first two founders of Thao Duong Buddhist Association and Thao Duong Pagoda

d. Russian Works

e. Thao Duong Pagoda Today

f. Photos of Thao Duong Pagoda’s activities in 2025

3.3. Moscow Buddhist Recitation Center

Photos of Activities in 2025

Lịch sự kiện trong tháng

Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns in the US

Tủ sách Bảo Anh Lạc

Thư viện

Âm nhạc

Pháp âm