Gyalwa Karmapa visits Ulan Ude

Gyalwa Karmapa visits Ulan Ude

Agenda:

2009-06-20:
Arrival from Irkutsk
TV-Interview at the Baikal Plaza Hotel
Welcoming Reception at the Karma Kagyu Center
Visit of Ivolginsky Datsan
Meeting with Hambo Lama
Guru Rinpoche Empowerment at MUP “KSK”, 1100 people

2009-06-21:
Departure for a 3-day Touron the Trans-Siberian Railway to Vladivostok
Late Night in Chita: Blessing members of the Buddhist Center from Chita at the Railway Station

On June 20, the Gyalwa Karmapa was given a warm welcome at the railway station of Ulan-Ude.

After a press conference at the Baikal Plaza Hotel, Gyalwa Karmapa was received at the local Karma Kagyu Buddhist Center. Folk Music of the Buryats in traditional clothes was performed and as at centres, the people from Ulan-Ude presented their activities to Gyalwa Karmapa and his entourage.

The Gyalwa Karmapa next visited the Ivolginsky Datsan, the oldest and biggest Buddhist temple in Russia and the most important one in the Buryat Republic. Representatives of the monastery welcomed Gyalwa Karmapa and his group and guided them through the place. The Buryats who have their roots in Mongolia are traditionally Buddhists.

The Hambo-Lama, the highest Lama in this area welcomed Gyalwa Karmapa at an open field where a traditional wrestling competition took place – the visit of a high Lama at such an occasion is seen as very auspicious. Afterwards, the Hambo-Lama served the Gyalwa Karmapa tea and traditional food in a Yurt.

In the evening the Gyalwa Karmapa gave a Guru Rinpoche Empowerment and the Bodhisattva Vows to 1100 people at the MUP “KSK” in Ulan-Ude. Many Buryats joined the empowerment and showed their great respect to the Gyalwa Karmapa. Some visitors came all to way from Mongolia to attend the ceremony.

On June 21, the Karmapa’s journey continued on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Vladivostok, the most Far East point of the trip. The organisers of the tour did a wonderful job – for three days and nights they took exceptional care of Gyalwa Karmapa and his entourage. At some of the stops, Buddhist disciples awaited the Karmapa’s arrival to receive his blessing and provided his entourage freshly cooked food.

During a short stop in Chita, Gyalwa Karmapa blessed members of the local Karma Kagyu Center who had come to the railway station in the middle of the night to greet him.

Report: Gunhild Jug and Julia Vorotnikova
Photos: Thule G. Jug and Gunhild Jug