Specific attention was paid to the possibility of the pastoral visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Russian Federation. The spiritual leader of Buddhists presented his book to Russian President Vladimir Putin wishing him success as president and prosperity for the all the Russian people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his gratitude to Telo Tulku Rinpoche and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov for the revival of Buddhism in Kalmykia and Russia.
"It was a very warm and friendly meeting," Shadzhin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche said later. His Holiness stressed that Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is his old friend with whom he had the warmest and most direct contacts.
In an interview of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov with Foreign Policy, FIDE president recalls the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Kalmykia in 2004. It took place after twelve years of trying to get permission for a visit of the spiritual leader to Russia.
"At that time I was the President of the Republic of Kalmykia and invited the Dalai Lama to consecrate the building of a new temple in Elista. The temple was built in 11 months with my assistance. Now it is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe. The Dalai Lama said he would like to visit Kalmykia, as this is the largest Buddhist republic in Europe," Ilyumzhinov said.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov expressed the hope that he will be able to convey to President Vladimir Putin the urgent need for the visit of the spiritual leader of Buddhists to Russia.
12.05.2012