Buddhism of Russia (Narthang Bulletin) №1 (1992)

Narthang Bulletin

№1 (1992)

Monthly, issue I (July) 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. c Narthang publications. 100 copies. Price $ 2 over Russia subscribers including air mail.

NB is a monthly informational review of Buddhism on the territory of the former USSR published by the Russian branch of the Narthang Publications publishing house, which is a body of Information and Foreign Affairs Department of the Dalai Lama.

Any communications (up to 100 words in size) of Buddhistic 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. Views of the latter may not coincide with the position of editorial board.

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

Subscription applications for 1993 are accepted.

NB needs sponsors for the further edition's improvement. We are in great need of a computer.

I. Russia visit of His Holiness.

In the middle of August, the present year, H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama will begin his visit to Russia. It is planned that H.H. will take part in the international conference "Facing Apocalypse III: the Charisma of Power and Holy War" in Moscow sponsored by Russian parliament (August, 16-19). Dr. Nawang Rabggal, a representative of H.H. has come to Moscow on the 15th of July in order to carry out preparations for the visit. At the end of September H.H. is going to visit Buryatia and Kalmykia. The program of visit includes teaching of Lamrim and developing of Bodhicitta.

II. The Nechung State Oracle's answer.

I. One of the main Protectors of Buddhism and Tibet, from the time of Guru Padmasambhava, is Pehar. One of the five most important manifestations of Pehar, Dorje Drakden, is accessible of the State Oracle of Tibet from the Nechung monastery.

The government and supreme clergymen make resort to Dorje Drakden for his advices quite often, and H.H. the Dalai Lama says that the prophecies are always true. While being in Dharamsala in April 1991, we applied the question for Dorje Drakden to the Oracle: "What should be done to remove obstacles to spreading Dharma in the USSR?"

The answer has reached us only a year later: [a Xerox copy of the letter]

"Hrih:! A very good means for this is to read studiously Dhvajagrakeyura and the six-syllable mantra-dharani of Arya Mahakarunika (i.e. Avalokiteshvara) over and over, as much as possible."

Buddhists of Petersburg have received the "lung" for Dhvajagrakeyura from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, and the six-syllable mantra OM-MA-NI-PAD-ME-HUM is known to everyone.

We call on everybody to join in executing Dorje Drakden's directions and to include these mantras in your daily practice. (M.Kozhevnikova, A.Terentiev).

IV. The New Head of Mongolian Buddhists.

It appeares that when in 1924 the People's Hural of Mongolia had asked the deceased head of the theocratic Mongolia Bogdo-Gegen not to be reincarnated any more, he did not listen and reincarnated in Tibet, though he was not officially recognized as an incarnate at that time. Nevertheless, according to tidings we received from Dharamsala, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has recently confirmed his status.

V. Visits.

An outstanding Teacher of Dzogchen Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche made a visit to our country. He was in Lithuania from the 19th to the 27th of May, in Riga from the 27th of May to the 10th of June, in Petersburg from the 11th to the 24th of June, then he stays in Moscow up to the 8th of July, after which he go to Buryatia and returns to Moscow on the 19th of July - and then leaved for Paris...

His sermon on Dharma - which Rinpoche taught in the most sincere manner, as is always characteristic of him - opened eyes of many.

The Dzogchen Community of Saint-Petersburg was founded instead of the Dzogchen-center "Sanjei-Ling" ("sanjei" is the Mongolian pronunciation of the Tibetan word "sangye", i.e. Buddha). More details about this visit will be contained in next issue of NB.

(Фото:) The Reverend Thubteng Ngoidub (left), the medium of the State Oracle, and Djebtsung Damba Rinpoche, the head of Mongolian Buddhists. 17.03.92.

VI. News form Communities.

1. "Center for Studying Philosophy and Psychology of the Far Eastern Mahayana Buddhism", being a part of the School of Philosophy and Sociology in the University of St. Petersburg, begins a two-year course of paid instruction, starting from October 1992. The program includes studying Chinese, Sanskrit, Buddhist texts and History of Buddhism, etc. On the 3-5 of June of the present year the center held a conference: "The Far Eastern Buddhism: its History, Philosophy and Psychology". The address: 199034, St-Petersburg, Mendeleev Line 5 (the faculty of philosophy, room No 130), tel. 218-94-22. (A.I.Migunov, E.A.Torchinov, K.Y.Solonin)

2. The religious community "The Light of Dharma" (chairman V.A.Druzhinin) is guided in its activities by traditions of the Chinese Buddhist School "Chan". At present the community has no Teacher-Holder of the Tradition. In April of this year the community and the abovestated center declared their intention to set up the St-Petersburg cultural and scientific society "Fo Guang" ("The Light of Buddha"). Similar societies exist in various countries of Asia and in the USA. The society having been founded, broad publishing activity is to be put into practice. The address: 197183, St-Petersburg, Primorskiy Av. 15. The address of the center may be used for correspondence as well (correspondence should be addressed to A.V.Shevchenko in this case).

3. The religious union "Buddhist House" has been founded in St-Petersburg. It aims at joining the efforts of representatives of various religious schools and foundations of Buddhism and of organizing spiritual guidance from the highly skilled Teachers. By now the study of Dharma, Tibetan language and meditation has already begun. Besides, the publishing department has been formed in "Buddhistic House".

In the nearest future the union plans:

- to invite Teachers for instruction for practice in Dharma;

- to create a retreat center in the envivons of St-Petersburg;

- to set up a Buddhist library;

- to develop cooperation with Buddhist centres in Russia and abroad;

- to render help and support to the Tibetan people.

The address for contact:

191014, St-Petersburg, Vosstaniya St. 32-27, O.Borisov; tel. (812)-272-07-27.

4. The "Mahasangha" community has been organized in Donetsk, representing the Zen-Buddhism of Korea. The community is being guided by the Reverend Vong Meng Sunim, a monk of the Korean Buddhist order "Chodya" and Director of the international Buddhist center in Seul "The Lotus Lantern". A 5-day retreat, with 45 people participating, was organized and help by the community under his and the Reverend Muzhing Sunim's leadership. The address of the community: The Ukraine, Donetsk 00, Postysheva St. 80/23; tel. (0622) 93-49-75. Chairman of the community council, Filonenko S.S.

5. The religions union "Ak-Burkan" ("The White Burkan", or "Buddha of the Future") was formed in Gorno-Altaisk in 1991. Its aim is to revive the Altaic Buddhism, which is similar to the early Tibetan one. The address: 659700, the Republic of Altai, Gorno-Altaisk, Bolnichnaya St. 35-6, Sanashkin A.M.

6. The Dzogchen Community (Ganjeel) of the Republic of Byelorus has been organized in Minsk. The community does not confine itself to the Dzogchen tradition exclusively. The address: 2200-18, the Republic of Byelorus, Minsk, Odintsova St. 29-35, tel. (0172) 57-71-58, Malahovsky R.M.

7. The Buddhist community of Chernigov has presently no registered name and is following the traditions of the Northern Buddhism. The address: 250008, the Ukraine, Chernigov-8, Desnyaka St., 61-1, Andrienko O.A.

8. The Buddhist Community of Estonia was registered in 1988. Its main purpose is mastering all the traditions of the Tibetan Buddhism. In this connection Tibetan language is being studied in the community, texts are being translated, collective rituals and meditations are practised. The community is ready for cooperation. It has established links with the Buddhistic centres of the Kagyu School in Sweden. The address: EE0009, Estonia, Tallinn, Pillu St. 114/3, Peeter Vahi (tel. 0142-596-685).

9. On the 8th of May 1992 the Dzogchen community "Randolgar" was registered in Buryatia. It was formed three years ago by Dzogchen followers, the teaching having penetrated to Buryatia as a result of preaching by Namkhai Norbu Rimpoche, a contemporary master. Community's goals are studying and practising Dzogchen, Tibetan Buddhism, as well as mastering such as art, medicine, and so on. Buddhistic texts are being translated in the community, the Tibetan manner of painting ("tangka") has been mastered. The Dzogchen Community (Gangjeel) "Randolgar" is ready to cooperate with all the interested persons and organizations, it maintains links with many Buddhist and Dzogchen communities and centres all over the world. The address of the community: 671454, Buryatia, Novokizhinginsk, Tayojnaya St., 25 (Sidorov Serafim Alexandrovitch).

10. The Buddhist center "Karma Legshei Ling" (St-Petersburg) was registered in February 1991. This was preceded with a few visits of lama Ole Nydahl. Ole Nydahl is the Dane who never thought about Buddhistic path until he turned 28. But his meeting with H.H. the 17th Karmapa - the spiritual head of the Karma-Kagyu school - has transformed his life completely. Spreading the Tibetan Buddhism among the Westerners having settled all over the world became his mission. Ole Nydahl has founded over one hundred Buddhist centres in Europe, America, Australia and other parts of the planet. He is a direct disciple of H.H. the Karmapa.

During last two years Ole Nydahl visited Ukraine, Povolzhye and Siberia. About 20 Buddhistic centres were set up in these regions. Recently he visited Russia again. More details will be contained in the next issue.

The Karma-Kagyu school attaches the most importance to meditative practice and devotion to the Teacher. The main line of succession for this school is: Buddha Vajradhara, Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarapa and Karmapa.

The official address of the St-Petersburg Buddhist Center "Karma Legshei Ling": 191028, St-Petersburg, Mohovaya St. 14.

Telephones: 296-34-68, or 230-68-28

VII. International Information

1. Last October US Congress has accepted the following H.M.'S. amendment to the bill (H.R. 1415):

(1) Tibet, including those areas incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Quinghai, is an occupied country under the established principles of international law;

(2) Tibet's true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile as recognized by the Tibetan people;

(3) Tibet has maintained throughout its history a distinctive and sovereign national, cultural, and religious identity separate from that of China and, except during periods of illegal Chinese occupation, has maintained a separate and sovereign political and territorial identity;

(4) historical evidence of this separate identity may be found in Chinese archival documents and traditional dynastic histories, in United States recognition of Tibetan neutrality during World War II, and in the fact that a number of countries including the United States, Mongolia, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, India, Japan, Great Britain, and Russia recognized Tibet as an independent nation or dealt with Tibet independently of any Chinese government;

(5) in 1949-50, China launched an armed invasion of Tibet in contravention of international law.

(6) it is the policy of the United States to oppose aggression and other illegal uses of force by one country against the sovereignty of another as a manner of acquiring territory, and to condemn violations of international law, including the illegal occupation of one country by another; and

(7) numerous United States declarations since the Chinese invasion have recognized Tibet's right self-determination and the illegality of China's occupation of Tibet.

(H.R., Report 102-239, sec. 355-102d Congress 1st session: From "Tibet Press Watch". - vol. III, No 5. - p.17).

2. "The Fund for Preserving the Mahayana Traditions" has declared admission to the 3-month and 12-month courses of preparing translators from literary and spoken Tibetan. Minimal payment for the 3-month course is $ 2.700, and for the 12-month - $ 900 a month. The payment includes cost of lodging, nourishment, instruction, membership to the fund, training literature, administrative services. The studies begin on the 1st of September 1993 for the 3-month course and on the 1st of January 1993 for the 12-month one. Detailed information is available from the NB editorial board. The address of the fund: Jan-Paul Kool, FPMT Tibetan Language Course, Laarstraat 27, 8166 GR Emst Holland; Tel: 05787-2256, Fax: 31-5787-18-51.

VIII. Literature.

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. In September the publishing house is to issue the autobiography of His Holiness "Freedom in Exile" (approximate wholesale price 40 r. + m.c.).

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

4. The first issue of the "Orient" almanac (sub-title "Buddhism and Russia") has been published. It is dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the official recognition of Buddhism in Russia. The articles deal with history of the Buddhist architecture in Buryatia, Kalmykia, St-Petersburg, they also depict the tragic fate of the Buddhistic confession in the thirties. Beside other materials, the article "Buddhist Monasteries" (1926) by B.Baradin is reprinted in the issue, which makes mention of the monastery the name of our publishing house is derived from: "The Narthang was founded in 1153. This monastery does not belong to any particular sect, as long as lamas of different sects worked here; rather it represents a non-sectarian monastery... Unpublished Archive documents and materials are contained in the issue (Editor-in-chief: Hamaganova E.A.).

5. The first member of the "Garuda" magazine has been issued. The magazine is published by the St-Petersburg Dzogchen-centre "Sanjeiling" in cooperation with the Dzogchen followers of Moscow, the Ukraine, Buryatia and Lithuania. (Editor-in-chief is V.M.Montlevich; the address: 199004, St-Petersburg, P.O.B. 523, "Garuda".) The price of the first member is 20 r. + m.c.; apply to the address of "Narthang Bulletin".

6. The "Buddhism" magazine has been published. Editor-in-chief Dondokov B.D.; the address: 129090, Moscow, Olimpiyskiy prospect - 16, podyezd 1, Tel: 288-32-66.

IX. Obituary.

On the 20th of July 1992 Bandido Hamba-lama M.Cybikov, the Chairman of Central spiritual management of Buddhists of Russia, is died.

Transl. by Lisin A.

Content

Buddhism of Russia (Narthang Bulletin) №1 (1992)

Narthang Bulletin №1 (1992)

I. Russia visit of His Holiness.

II. The Nechung State Oracle's answer.

IV. The New Head of Mongolian Buddhists.

V. Visits.

VI. News form Communities.

VII. International Information

VIII. Literature.

IX. Obituary.