Buddhism of Russia (Narthang Bulletin) №4 (1992)

On the 9th of October the second meeting of the society of Friends of Tibet was held at the conference Hall of the Public Library named after Saltykov-Shchedrin. The main event on the agenda was a demonstration of the documentary 'Compassion in Exile' about His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the American producer Mickey Lemke. The Dalai Lama's Representative in Russia Dr. Nawang Rabgyal was present at the meeting and answered numerous questions, having come to the city on this specific purpose. Dr. Rabgyal has also visited the Buddhist House, the St.Petersburg Buddhist Temple and the memorial flat of the Russian traveller P.K.Kozlov, where the Tibet Information Center is set up by the Society of Friends of Tibet. Its address is: Smolny pr., 6, apt. 32, tel.110 -03-50. Various books, albums, printed, audio and video materials about Tibet, its history, geography, spiritual culture and contemporary status are collected here. The materials are still being gathered, and any help in this matter will be accepted with sincere gratitude. The Center is open for everyone interested in Tibet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 A.M. till 4 P.M. Also several books about Tibet and Tibetan Buddhist culture in Russian are on sale here, in particular, the autobiography of His Holiness Dalai Lama 'Freedom in Exile'. Here in the Center we will be glad to answer your questions on Tibet and, if necessary, to help you establish contacts with the Tibetans and the cabinet of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, or with support groups for Tibet in other countries.

M.Kozhevnikova

IV. International Information.

1. The Berlin Congress of European Buddhist Union.

23-27 of September 1992 the session of the European Buddhist Union took place in Berlin. The members from many countries including Russia attended and had lots of fruitful discussion and meetings with Buddhist Masters of different Buddhist traditions. The materials of the Congress must be available at EBU.

2. The Dalai Lama. Message. (May 25, 1992).

My experience of the oppression suffered by Buddhists in Tibet brings me in close communion with the sufferings of Buddhists in Vietnam, and in particular with the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam.

The world today is on the brink of a new era of dialogue, understanding and cooperation, heralding the message of compassion and tolerance preached by the Buddha over 2536 years ago. I pray that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will follow the world's evolution by ending all violations of human rights, and restoring the religious freedom to Buddhists in Vietnam.

Just as the boat must have a helmsman, so the Buddhist community must have its leaders. I am saddened to see that five important leaders of the Unified Buddhist Church in Vietnam are in prison or under house arrest. This means they are not free to bring their followers the spiritual and moral guidance so badly need.

I wholly support the efforts of the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights on behalf of these eminent monks, namely Thich HUYEN QUANG, Thich QUANG DO, Thich DUC NHUAN, Thich TUESY and Thich TRISIEU (Le Manh That).

I appeal to the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release these five monks without delay. Through this gesture, the Government will lay the foundations for coexistence in harmony and concord.

V. Literature (in Russian).

1. In September the publishing house Narthang has issued the autobiography of H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama 'Freedom in Exile'. For the first time this book was published at the end of 1990 and since was translated into scores of languages. (price $4).

2. We distribute the Russian translation of 'The Buddhism of Tibet' by H.H. (price $2).

3. Also we distribute the book by A.Berzin 'The Tibetan Buddhism: History and Prospects'. (price $1).

4. In November we intend to publish the course of lectures by the same author under the title 'Outlines of Buddhist Practice' (price $2).

5. We can send to our subscribers the illustrated publication 'The Story of Buddha' (for children) by H.Saddhatissa, the late President of 'Mahabodhi' Society and Head of London Buddhist Vihara. Russian translation by A.Diuranov. (Price $2).

6. A translation from English into Tuvanian and Russian of a small book by the Dalai Lama 'Individuality and compassion' has been printed in Tuva under the title 'The Goal of Life'. In this small booklet His Holiness explains with utter clarity and reasoning why compassion is so inseparable from our human nature and how at any moment we can tap into and develop this birthright.

7. The International Institute of Tibeto-Mongolian Medicine and the National Library of Buryat Republic have prepared in Ulan-Ude the Buddhist series 'The Mirror of Human Wisdom' (10 releases). There already have appeared: release No.0 - 'Mahamudra' by B.D.Dandaron, and release No.2 - 'The Foundations of Tibetan medicine' by V.N.Pupishev. You may subscribe by applying to the address: 670042, Ulan-Ude, Sahyanovoi st., 6, IITMM.