(TibetanReview.net, Dec23, 2017) – The Dalai Lama’s Representative at the Office of Tibet in Moscow has on Dec 18 addressed the annual meeting of the Kalmyk Republic’s Parliament, the Khural, with the Republic’s religious leaders, drawing attention to the issue of Tibet and seeking solidarity with its people. The theme of the discussion was stated to be ‘Moral values and future of Humanity’. He was also stated to have attended a religions dialogue organised by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Chairman of the Kalmyk Parliament, Anatoly Kazachko, was stated to have congratulated Representative Telo Tulku Rinpoche on his 25th anniversary of assumption of role as the head lama of the Republic.
Deputies from major political parties of the Russian Federation were stated to have also attended the meeting.
Telo Tulku Rinpoche was stated to have presented to the President of Kalmykia, Mr Alexie Orlov, a message from President Lobsang Sangay of the Central Tibetan Administration for the occasion. The letter was stated to speak of the history of close historical, cultural, and spiritual connections between Kalmykia and Tibet and referred to the current Dalai Lama’s three visits to the Republic, including the latest one in 2004.
Telo Tulku Rinpoche was also stated to have addressed a roundtable discussion organised by the head of the Muslims of the Northern Caucasus of the Russian Federation later in the afternoon. He has explained how inspirational the Dalai Lama has been for the Kalmyk people.
He was quoted as saying: “We Buddhists, as admirers as well as disciples of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, always follow the advice and guidance shown by him. He is a Nobel Peace Laureate and advocate for goodness of humanity, religious harmony and environment. We share the ideals and principle of the Dalai Lama and welcome all to join in this effort in promoting His Holiness’ second main commitment, inter religious harmony.”
Telo Tulku Rinpoche is a member of an inter-religious council representing Buddhist, Christian Orthodox and Muslim religions. The council aims to promote understanding and open dialogue.
Earlier, on Dec 11, Telo Tulku Rinpoche was stated to have attended a Dialogue of Religions organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The meeting on ‘Religions in the contemporary world, Its challenges and Prospects’ was held at the Diplomatic Academy and attended by representatives of the traditional religions of the Russian Federation, namely the Christian Orthodox, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism.
The representatives were stated to have spoken on a range of topics with focus on inter-religious communication as a factor towards peace. They touched on issues such as secularism, terrorism, extremism and socio-economic issues.
The roundtable was stated to be the second of its kind held at the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
