His Holiness Gives Day-Long Teaching for Mongolian and Russian Buddhists

Dharamsala, India, 9 November 2007 (Phayul) - Some 400 Mongolian and Russian Buddhists and hundreds of Tibetans and visiting tourists packed the Tsuglagkhang Temple to listen to one-day special teaching by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness began teaching Je Tsongkhapa's Three Principle Paths (Lamtso Namsum) this morning.

The teaching has been specially considered by His Holiness for the Buddhists from Mongolia and Russian Republics of Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva who are currently in Dharamsala for their five-day joint Buddhists Festival that began Tuesday.

The Russian and Mongolian Buddhists will conduct a long life ceremonial offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama tomorrow morning. Following the long life offering, there will be a cultural performance at the TsuglagKhang courtyard where His Holiness is expected to make public appearance, the first in Dharamsala since His Holiness was awarded the US Congress' highest civilian Honour, the Congressional Gold Medal.

'It's by sheer coincidence that we will be blessed with His Holiness' first public appearance here in Dharamsala after receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal on October 17,' said Telo Rinpoche, the spiritual head of Kalmyk Buddhists, at the opening function of the Buddhists festival on Tuesday. Rinpoche has been instrumental in bringing the regions' first ever joint festival to Dharamsala, the seat of the Dalai Lama led Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

'So it will a very special celebration for all of us,' Rinpoche noted.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is revered by the Mongolian and Russian Buddhists as their spiritual leader and they continue to seek His Holiness' blessing and guidance for the full revival of Buddhism in their regions after undergoing decades of severe repression from Communist rule.