International devoters listen to the teachings at the Main Temple. Picture courtesy of the Tibet Post.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded an honorary doctorate from a Russian university following his annual teachings for Russian Buddhists on Wednesday, December 21.
Telo Rinpoche, the spiritual leader of Russian republic Kalmykia, presented the doctorate to His Holiness in recognition of his ‘outstanding contribution to freedom, human rights, religious harmony and environmental protection’ on behalf of the Tuva State University, at the Main Temple in front of delighted onlookers.
Referring to the occasions on which His Holiness was denied a visa by the Russian government, Telo Rinpoche said: ‘For the past many years, we made every possible effort to prepare the Dalai Lama’s visit to Russia, but, with many unfortunate conditions, we have faced many difficulties.
‘We need to hear more teachings from His Holiness.’
Russian ladies greet His Holiness with khatags. Picture courtesy of Phayul.
The Tibetan spiritual leader thanked the dignitaries from the Ministry of The Education and Science of The Russian Federation, Federal State Education Institute – Tuva State University, for their stand on human rights and values, adding: ‘I have visited Tuva once and learnt of the Tuva people’s great interest in Buddhism. Tuva has long-standing strong cultural ties to Tibet.
‘However, in recent years due to political reasons, I couldn’t visit Tuva.’
The three day teaching, which included an introduction to Buddhism and Geshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses of Training the Mind, attracted over 6,500 devotees including more than 1,300 Russians and over 1,000 disciples from Tibet, as well as visitors from Taiwan, Korea, The USA, Europe and India.
His Holiness will conduct his 32nd Kalachakra initiation in Bodhgaya between January 1 – 10. The event is expected to attract over 200,000 devotees.
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