In June 2009, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is visiting Russia on an official invitation of the Head of the Kalmyk Republic, Kirsan Ilumzhinov. H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is the head of the Karma Kagyu Buddhist tradition.
17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje
Karmapa is planning to visit St. Petersburg (June, 9-11), Elista (June, 11–15), Moscow (June, 15–17), Irkutsk (June, 18–19), Ulan-Ude (June, 20–21), and Vladivostok (June, 24–26). During His visit to Russia, His Holiness will make Buddhist dedications, visit the Buddhist sacred places and meet His followers.
On the 12th of June, Russia Day – a national holiday in Russia, H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is meeting the Head of the Kalmyk Republic, Kirsan Ilumzhinov. In the Kalmyk capital city of Elista, His Holiness will visit the international festival “Compassion without Borders” as an honorable guest (June, 12–15). He will also visit the Central Hurul “the Golden Temple of Buddha Shakyamuni”, the Stupa of Enlightenment, and will give initiations on the 2nd Karmapa Karma Pakshi (Bakshi) and the Buddha of Compassion (the Loving Eyes).
“Of course, the visit of the spiritual leader of such a high rank is a great blessing for me personally, and for all the people of our republic. I think that when he comes, when his feet step on our ground, we will have more rains, more harvest, and more animal yield. On the other hand, it is good for people – we will become calmer and kinder”, – said the Head of the Kalmyk Republic Kirsan Ilumzhinov at the press conference. This conference was dedicated to the opening of “The Days of the Traditional Russian Buddhism”.
“The Russian Buddhism is not something exotic, something faraway and oriental. Although Karmapa visits Russia for the first time, already in the 13th century the Kalmyk, then called the Oirats, received the lineage of the Study from the 2nd Karmapa – Karma Pakshi (Bakshi). That means that historically speaking the Kalmyk have had a long-lasting connection with the Karmapas and the Kagyu School. That is why, among other rituals in Elista, Karmapa is going to give initiation on Karma Pakshi. No doubt, Karmapa’s visit is a memorable event, first of all, for Buddhism practitioners, for His disciples, and for everybody interested in Buddhism. But it is also a great blessing for the whole country”, – said Alexander Koybagarov, the President of the Russian Association of the Buddhists of the Karma Kagyu School.
In Buryatia H.H. the 17th Karmapa will give initiations on Guru Rinpoche and will carry out the Bodhisattva Promise Ceremony. His Holiness is also going to visit the Ivolginsky Datsan to see the sacred Buddhist thing – the incorruptible relics of Hambo Lama Itigelov. “The High Lamas – are reincarnations, they bring knowledge. The 17th Karmapa is a person who has realized himself in 17 lives as an enlightened teacher, as Buddha. It is a special, good karma, and every Buddhist should appreciate that, no matter which school of Buddhism he refers himself to. All the Russian Buddhists are waiting for His Holiness to come”, – said Yanjima Vasilyeva, the director of the Pandito Hambo Lama Itigelov Institute.
During His stay in St. Petersburg, Karmapa will visit the state reception given in His honor in the Buddhist Datsan. He is also invited to visit the Hermitage Museum to get acquainted with the art collections, especially, the Buddhist Art collections from the Eastern Art Department.
“It is an entirely fantastic story: the 10th Karmapa was a great artist and sculptor. His two works are kept in the Hermitage. These are a Thangka (a painting on silk) depicting Buddha Shakyamuni and a sculpture of Avalokiteśvara – Buddha of Compassion (Eng. the Loving Eyes, Tib. Chenrezig). And now, after 400 years, the 17th Karmapa comes to look at His works in the remarkable treasure-house of the Russian Art. All the seventeen reincarnations of Karmapa, who is also called “the King of the Tibetan Yogis” or “the Treasure that Makes the Wishes Come True”, are famous for their extraordinary talents. Good wishes made near Karmapa come true, and amazing things happen around Him. We hope that this time something wonderful is also going to happen,” – said Alexander Koybagarov, the President of the Russian Association of the Buddhists of the Karma Kagyu School.
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June 27, 2009 2:19 pm | 
