(monthly)

August

N 2 1992

St.Petersburg

NB is a monthly informational review of Buddhism on the territory of the former USSR published by the Russian branch of the Narthang Publications, belonging to the Office of International Relation of the Dalai Lama.

Any communications (up to 100 words) of Buddhist groups and organizations subscribed to the bulletin are published by NB free of payment. The same applies to information on new publications on Buddhism sent to the bulletin. Full responsibility for the accuracy of information rests with its authors.

Buddhist groups of all denominations are welcome to inform about themselves, their achievements and problems.

Subscription applications for 1993 are accepted.

Editor-in-chief Dr.A.A.Terentyev, managing editor Dr.A.A.Diuranov. Address: Dr.A.A.Diuranov, P.O. Box 627, St-Petersburg, Russia, 190000; Tel: (812)-312-04-71, Fax: (812)-272-79-68 (A.A.Terentyev.) (c) Narthang publications. Price $ 2 for over sea subscribers includes air mail.

We have started already to introduce Buddhist Communities on the former USSR territory. Now for better understanding of their individual plane and role we suggest a general overview of our Buddhist organizations.

1. The largest and most influential is the Central Buddhist Board of Russia (the former CBB of the USSR) which claims to be a successor of the Central Spiritual Buddhist Council created in 1922 and destroyed by Communists in the 1930-th. CBB was started in 1946 when it was allowed to open anew two Buddhist temples among Buryats.

The Chairman of CBB bears the title of Bandido Hambo Lama (i.e. "Pandita" - Sanskrit: "Learned"; "khenpo" - Tib: "head"; Lama - Tib: Teacher).

Presently CBB controls the activities of all the "datsans" among Buryat Republic and Aginsky Buryat Autonomous District of Chita area of Russian Federation. Also one of 5 Moscow Buddhist Communities "The Moscow Community of Buddhist" is subordinated to CBB.

In 1991 the CBB started a Buddhist School in Ivolginsky Datsan (by Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryat) where they have around 120 students from different parts of the former USSR.

The restored Buddhist communities springing out in Buryat usually start from building their temples. Here we give a list of these temples, according to our information. More details will be given in the next issues of NB.

The list of the Buryat datsans

1) Aginsky Datsan: p.Aginskoye, Aginsky Buryat Autonomous District of Chita oblast of Russian Federation, 674460.

2) Atsagatsky Datsan: Zaigrayevsky District (only founded).

3) Barguzinsky Datsan (North-Western Buryatia).

4) Dzhidinsky Datsan: s.Gegetui, Dzhidinsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671914.

5) Yeravninsky (Egituevsky) Datsan: s.Egita, Yeravninsky District, Republic Buryatia.

6) Zakamensky Datsan: p.Zakamensk, Zakamensky District, Republic Buryatia, 671930.

7) Ivolginsky Datsan: s.Verhnyaya Ivolga, Ivolginsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671210.

8) Kizhinginsky Datsan: s.Kizhinga, Kizhinginsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671450.

9) Kurumkansky Datsan: s.Kurumkan, Kurumkansky District, Republic Buryatia.

10) Kyahtinsky Datsan:, s.Murochi, Kyahtinsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671830.

11) Muhorshibirsky Datsan:, Muhorshibirsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671370.

12) Okinsky Datsan: s.Orlik, Okinsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671030.

13) Selenginsky Datsan: Gusinoozyorsk, Selenginsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671280.

14) Kyrensky Datsan: s.Kyren, Tunkinsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671010.

15) Arshansky Datsan: Resort Arshan, Tunkinsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671023.

16) Ugdansky Datsan: Oblast of Chita.

17) Ust-Ordynsky Datsan: p.Ust-Orda, Ust-Ordynsky District, Chitinskya Oblast, 666110.

18) Horinsky Datsan: s.Ana, Horinsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671410.

19) Chesansky Datsan: s.Chesan, Kizhinginsky District, Republic Buryatia, 671462.

20) Tsugolsky Datsan: Chitinskya Oblast, 674436.

21) Aninsky Datsan.

The CBB has an office in Moscow for contact:

49, Ostozhenka, 119034, Moscow, USSR. Tel. (095) 245-0939 fax (095) 248-0264.

2. The second big traditional Buddhist area in our country is Kalmyk (or Khalm Tangch) Republic. Here the revival of the Buddhist church smashed over 50 years ago became possible only recently. Now there are Buddhist communities in almost every village of Kalmyks. They are united into the Buddhist Association of Kalmyk under the presidency of a young Kalmyk monk Telo Rimpoche who was born in USA and now is educated in India. Telo Rimpoche is the incarnation of the outstanding Indian Buddhist Yogi Telopa, the root of the Tibetan Kagyu Tradition.

Vice-president of BAK is Erdeny Galdayev.

The Kalmyk government is helping the BAK to build a temple complex near Elista, the capital of the republic.

Their office telephone number is (24722) 289-69

83, Lermontova st., Elista, 358000, Russian Federation.

3. Tuva is the third traditional area of the spreading of Tibetan Buddhism. Today eight communities revived there. Association of Tuva Buddhists (Aldyn-Bogda) and Buddhist community of Tuva under the chairmanship of W.Sh.Kara-sal play leading role among them. Mr.Sandak was elected the Head of Tuva Buddhists.

4. In this way there are three independent areas of the traditional spreading of Tibetan Buddhism in Russia. Moreover, many independent communities exist in our country. Large group of them is the result of the missionary activities of the Danish preacher Ole Nydahl, promoting the teaching of the Karma-Kagya school. We have the addresses and telephones of 22 centers and groups founded by Ole Nydahl:

1. 123098, Moscow, Akademician Bochvara St. 10-а-70, tel. (095) 193-70-55, Dyomina T.

2. 310089, Kharkov, Frunze Av. 55-21, tel. (0572) 94-06-23, Starodub L.

3. 252001, Kiev, Cheliuskintsev St. 9-55, tel. (044) 228-74-09.

4. Zaporozhskaya Oblast, Melitopol, 4-Prodolnaya St. 36/7-45, tel. 5-55-23, Golikov F.

5. 330067, Zaporozhye, Prichalnaya St. 11-2, tel. (061222) 31-71-92, Bocharov W.

6. 294018, Uzhgorod, L.Tolstoi St. 33-67, tel. (03122) 3-27-32, Marusik E.

7. 454048, Chelybinsk, Yablochkina St. 23-5, tel. (3512) 34-81-35, Yerochin B.

8. 400113, Volgograd, Bulvar Engelsa 15-41, tel. (8442) 67-41-71, Parubok V.

9. 432030, Ulyanovsk, Ippodromnaya St. 6-1, Makarov O.

   tel. (84222) 31-90-05, Lena, Natasha.

10. 443013, Samara, Aksakovskaya St. 169-33, tel. (8462) 36-00-20, Perevedentsev D.

11. 664023, Irkutsk, Deputatskaya St. 41-Б-6, Tarashenko S.

   tel. (3952) 27-19-66, Orbodoev S.

12. 630008, Novosibirsk, Guryevskaya St. 76-41, tel. (3832) 66-23-48, Yaroslavtsev B.

13. 357538, Pyatigorsk, Vosstaniya St. 100-61, tel. (86533) 7-65-59, Osaulenko V.

14. Krasnoyarsk: tel. (3912) 22-40-47, Lyakin V.

15. Ekaterinburg: tel. (3432) 47-49-28, Budanova S.

16. Tula, Krasnoarmeysky Av. 38-95, tel. (0872) 27-26-45, Zhurtuhin K.

17. 236011, Kaliningrad, L.Ivanihina St. 2-40, Kostina E.

18. Donetskaya Oblast, Snezhnoe, Kirova St. 77-41, Shevchuk S.

19. 335004, Sevastopol, Hrulyova St. 12-49, tel. 36-75-20, Shevyakina E.

20. Buhara, Ulyanov St. 66-40, tel. (365) 2-43-53, Shakirov A.

21. 410026, Saratov, Slonova St. 49-60, Safronov V.

22. 445009, Tolyatti, Koshelya St. 62-2, tel. 26-25-70, Fedyakin A.V.

The Dzogchen communities founded under the aegis of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche represent one more Buddhist trend. We know about 4 Dzogchen communities.

The other communities relating themselves mainly to Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism are independent. There are among these the religious union "Buddhist House" and "Datsan Gunzechoyney" in St.Petersburg, "Padmasambhava Center" and "Buddhist House" in Moscow, "Vajra" in Donetsk etc. Other Buddhist Tradition, such as Korean Buddhist Tradition, founded by Reverend Wong Myong Sunim, Theravada Tradition are also represented.

1. Visit of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche.

On May 27 this year Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche arrived in Riga, Latvia. He was met by representatives of two Buddhist communities, who succeeded on overcoming dividing them obstacles, merging together after a retreat.

From May 29 until June 9 Rinpoche gave the Doctrine in Jurmala. During morning sessions Rinpoche's disciple Fabio Andrico taught Yantra Yoga, and during evenings there was Doctrine again, after which there were rehearsed Om-Ah-Hum and Vajra dances. Rinpoche transmitted knowledge on different ways: he practiced direct transmission and also gave instructions on main division of Dzogchen - Semde, Londe and Upadesha, on practices of Green and White Taras, Vajrapani, Guru Dragpo and Garuda, Long Life, Rushana, Manla, Guruyoga with Garab Dorje, Shitro, Pho-wa. Retreat was attended by over 200 people from Latvia, Estonia, St.Petersburg, Buryatia and Far abroad countries.

On July 9 there was carried out Ganapuja, during which Rinpoche has explained principles of life of Dzogchen Communities, basic of wich is the principle of cooperation: "No cooperation - no realization. We all are on the same boat".

On July 11 Rinpoche has arrived in St.Petersburg. He taught Doctrine in Buddhist Temple (on two - first and last - day) and in a gymnasium on Svetlanovsky Prospect. Here he gave Chod practice. Retreat also comprised practice of Yantra Yoga and Om-Ah-Hum dance.

Those, who feet necessity to continue Dzogchen practice gathered together for upholding transmission, given by Namkhai Norbu. Thus was organized Dzogchen Community of St.Petersburg - a small part of Global Dzogchen Community.

On June 24 Namkhai Norbu has departed from St.Petersburg to Moscow, accompanied by a group of disciples. On June 26 he began the Transmission. Studies were carrying out in gymnasium of a comfortable suburban rest house. In Moscow the number of retreat's participants increased considerably. There were people from Kalmykia, Buryatia, Lithuania, Caucuses, the Ukraine. Retreat was attended even by Sufi's and Krishnamurti's followers.

After Moscow - from July 9 - Namkhai Norbu came to Buryatia. On 10th day of lunar month - Padmasambhava's Day - the practice, dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, was performed. Larger part of retreat's program took place on the coast of Baikal, on the territory of military sanatorium. During nights there was performed several times Chod rite. Retreat was attended by local shamans, who had a talk with Rinpoche. Retreat ended on July 16. During the last day Rinpoche demonstrated several methods of divination. The last night Chod rite was performed again.

On July 18 Namkhai Norbu has visited Ivolginsky Datsan, and on July 19 Norbu Rinpoche took a plane for Moscow and then abroad.

D.Ermakov, A.Rudneva

2. Ole Nydahl's two visits in CIS.

Lama Ole Nydahl intends to visit countries of CIS twice a year. In this year his first visit began on Jan. 5 from St.Petersburg. Then, until Jan. 25, he visited Moscow, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk and Vladivostok.

In June-July this year there did take place second visit of Mr. Nydahl, which started from his arrival into St.Petersburg on June 19. After this there happened meetings with disciples in Moscow, N.-Novgorod, Ulyanovsk, Samara, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk. In taiga near Irkutsk during first days of July there was carried out "Pho-wa" practice ("consciousness transference"), in which participated over 400 people. These practices will be carried out alternately in CIS' European and Asian parts.

After Irkutsk Mr. Nydahl visited Kharkov, Zaporozhye, Kiev and again St.Petersburg, where his visit ended.

Following the suggestion of Ole Nydahl, there will be adopted uniform method of naming Dharma Centers of Karma Kagyu school. Thus is St.Petersburg "The Karma Legshey Ling Center" is renamed into "Karma Choy Ling Petersburg". I.e. center's names will include names of their cities.

Mr. Nydahl's next visit is tentatively planned for beginning of Spring 1993.

B.Zagamyonkov

3. On July 13 this year Ven. Liamchen Gyalpo Rinpoche, notable Lama of Drikung Kagyu school, with accompanying him persons has visited Latvian Buddhist Center.

Arising of Drikung school is connected with activities of Great Tibetan Yogin Kyobpa Dzhigden Gonpo (1143-1217), who continued the Tradition of Buddha Vajrdhara, Tilopa, Marpa, Milarepa, Gompopa, Padmadrupa.

Ven. Liamchen Gyalpo Rinpoche gave the Doctrine and the initiation in practice of Avalokiteshvara and explained it. After that the Lama arrived to St.Petersburg. Here he gave the Refuge and instruction on Compassion and Bodhicitta.

Then Lama visited Zabaykalye, returned to Riga, went to Moscow and left.

A.Breslavets

4. Thich Nhat Hanh, renown Vietnamese Zen master, poet, peace activist and author of many books on the practice of Buddhism will be in Moscow for five days in September 1992. On Friday evening at 7 PM, September 11, he will present a lecture to the general public at Srednetishensky pereulok 5/7 (near Belorusskaya Metro Station).

On Saturday, September 12 Thich Nhat Hanh will offer a Day of Mindfulness from 10 am to 5 PM at a Sport Hall near the center of Moscow. Limited dormitory accommodation or sleeping space at the Sport Hall will be available for out-of-Moscow attendants. Please call Moscow 474-46-29 or 287-50-97 for information and to register for the Day of Mindfulness.

1. St.Petersburg Buddhist Temple's community.

The Temple was built before the 1917 Revolution. Construction was initiated by H.H. Dalai Lama XIII Tibetan Gyatso and his preceptor and counsellor well-known Buryat Lama Agwan Lobsang Dorjieff. First Temple service was performed on 21 February 1913 and dedicated to celebration of 300 Anniversary of Romanov Royal House. The Temple was consecrated on August 1915. The Temple did function intermittently until 1937, when larger part of the Temple Staff was imprisoned. After this the Temple was occupied by different government organizations.

Only on 1989, because of start of democratization of political life in former USSR, it because possible to register Buddhist Society of Leningrad, and there was taken decision to return the Temple to Buddhist community. On June 1991 Lama Tenzin Khetsun was elected the Abbot of the Temple. Now in there are living and studying about 20 novices, who is taken first vows. There is Publishing Department in the Temple, which has reissued a manual of Tibetan medicine "Gyu-zhi", calendars, tankas etc. There is planned to be republished translation by G.Chybikov of classical work of Tsonkhapa "Lam Rim Cheng Po". International Department is organizing contacts with centers of Buddhism abroad. In the Temple is functioning The Center of Buryat Culture. The Temple also has founded The University of Buddhist Culture. The studies will begin in October of this year in the building of "Znanie" Society.

The repair and restoration of the Temple require of considerable financial means, so help would be welcome.

Address: St.Petersburg Buddhist Temple, Primorsky Av. 91, St.Petersburg 197228, Russia.

Report of Temple's Abbot.

2. Buddhists of St.Petersburg went to Germany.

On 9 August this year A.Pubants went to Germany for a month. He was invited by the Head of Hamburg Tibetan Center Geshe Nawang Thubten for learning and preparing for edition lectures of Geshe, which he have presented in May of this year.

At the same time the employees of St.Petersburg Buddhist Temple Z.Munkueva and E.Harkova also went there for studies on Vinaya.

3. On August 1992 Tibet Friends Society (TFS), non-commercial and cultural organization, was established by the religious union "Buddhist House" in St.Petersburg. Its aim is spreading in Russia the authentic ideas of Tibetan culture and the life of Tibetan people. TFS prepares to uphold contacts with Cabinet of H.H. Dalai Lama, His representation and "Tibetan Houses" in different countries, Tibetan agencies of mass information, to help all interested persons and organization with information on Tibet and contacts with Tibetans, to invite religious, public and creative groups to spread books, films about Tibet, articles of traditional Tibetan arts and craft etc.

All persons and organizations, which accept TFS' aims and take part in its work, can become TFS' Members.

Address: 193015, St.Petersburg, Tavricheskaya 95-82, tel. 274-44-39, Kozhevnikova M.

1. From 21 until 27 August of this year the Sixth International Tibetological Conference was being held in Fagernesse (Norway). We will report about it in next NB issue.

2. "Unity in Variety. Buddhism in Europe".

Under this title the European Buddhist Union will conduct the Congress from 24 until 27 September this year in Berlin. Its aim is to show general basis of different Buddhist tradition and that valuable humanitarian contribution, which was made by Teaching of Buddha to World Culture.

This Congress take place once a four years. It has support of Berlin's Senate.

3. Lithuanian Deputies From Parliamentary Group in Support of Tibet.

"We, the deputies of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania:

On the ground that the Lithuania nation, on March 11, 1990 re-established its independent state and experienced a difficult path in seeking international recognition, respects every nation's right and desire to be free;

In upholding and supporting Universal Declaration on Human Rights stating that all nations have the right to self-determination and the freedom to determine their own political status;

taking into consideration the fact, that in the year of 1912 Tibet separated from China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama declared the independence of Tibet, when however, in 1950 the Chinese army invaded and occupied Tibet; the 1959 insurrection was mercilessly suppressed by the Chinese communist regime; where during the period of 1987-1989 over 20 demonstrations against the occupiers took place.

acknowledging that the nation's present situation is difficult as various means to break Tibetan resistance are attempted. During the period of occupation, the nation of Tibet has lost one-fifth of its inhabitants, monasteries have been destroyed, national wealth taken by the enslavers, and a policy of denationalization has been enacted. Until the present thousands of political and religious prisoners are being held and tortured in prison;

considering the fact, that the United Nations Organization has more than once recognized that genocide is being committed against the Tibetan nation,

we state that:

based upon Regulation Paragraph 24 of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania we establish the Tibet support group;

we hold His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan Government as the true representative of the nation of Tibet;

we pledge to support the legitimate aspiring goals of the Tibetan nation in international organizations and forums."

1. The Russian branch of "Narthang Publications" distributes the book "The Buddhism of Tibet" by H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama (price 15 roubles + mail charges).

2. Commercial department of the publishing house distributes the book by A.Berzin "The Tibetan Buddhism: History and Prospects". (price 9 r. + m.c.).

3. In September the publishing house is to issue the autobiography of His Holiness "Freedom in Exile" (approximate wholesale price 50 r. + m.c.).