The Tibet-Intergroup

February

Creation of an International Buddhist Zone

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, President of the Council of Buddhist Leaders of the World, organised by the Maha Bodhi Society of India, recently praised on-going efforts to establish an International Buddhist Zone. In his declaration to the Buddhist Leaders from 15 different countries, in Sarnath, he also referred to the necessity of developing harmony between the great religions of the world. The promotion of harmony and better understanding between the different religious traditions is one of what His Holiness often calls the Three Principal Commitments of his life. The other two commitments are to serve humanity by encouraging the development of inner qualities, and to serve the interests of the Tibetan people.

58th Tibet Intergroup Meeting

Wednesday, 14 February 2007

Thomas Mann opened the meeting and told the members that Carola Roloff, Buddhist nun and founder of Sakyadhita Europe, Representation of the International Association of Buddhist Women, was unfortunately ill and unable to attend the meeting.  Mr. Paul Syska, had come on Carola's place and gave some information about Sakyadhita. He had worked closely with Carola for many years to set up good education programmes for Tibetan nuns in South India.

The programme includes higher education for Buddhist nuns and will be able to result soon in the Geshé degree, similar to a philosophy doctorate, the highest degree available in Tibetan Buddhist religious education.  Before being able to study the ordination rules, which are obligatry to be able to finalise the education and obtain the degree, the nuns have to take the full ordination of over 300 vows. Further information can be found on www.carolaroloff.de.

The “1st International Congress on Buddhist Women’s Role in the Sangha: Bhikshuni Vinaya and Ordination Lineages” will be held at the University of Hamburg from July 18-20, 2007, in cooperation with the University’s Asia-Africa Institute.  His Holiness the Dalai Lama fully supports this Scientific Symposium and has agreed to attend it. The conference aims to find ways to establish the full ordination for Nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. More information on www.congress-on-buddhist-women.org

January 2007

The highest Kalmykia Distinction accorded to His Holiness

The President of Kalmykia, a Russian Republic in the Northern Caucasus, Kirsan Ilioumjinov, recently presented the Dalai Lama with the order of the White Lotus, the highest distinction of the republic. This honour was attributed to the Buddhist Spiritual Leader for his contribution to the spiritual renewal and the prosperity of Kalmykia. The decoration was awarded during the visit of an official Kalmykian delegation to the residence of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, Northern India.