Open letter from Shadzhin Lama of the Republic of Kalmykia and Kamby Lama of the Republic of Tuva to the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin

To the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin

Greatly Respected Vladimir Vladimirovich,

We are writing to you on behalf of the Buddhists of traditional Buddhist republics

with regard to the situation surrounding the Stupa of the Triple Gem and the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum of the International Center of the Roerichs (ICR).

The Stupa of the Triple Gem located at the territory of the Museum is the only canonical Buddhist stupa in Moscow. A wide public resonance regarding the future of the Stupa of the Triple Gem and the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum, reference to the potential threat for the Stupa of the Triple Gem to be considered and torn down as an unauthorized construction together with the monuments to the Roerichs built at the territory of the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum and its eliminating and transferring the premises together with all the Museum funds to the State Museum of Oriental Art prompts us to pronounce our position on the matter important for the Buddhists of Russia.

The Stupa of the Triple Gem was built in 2008 by Buddhist monks from Nepal under the guidance of one of the outstanding Lamas of Nyingma tradition Rangrig Dorje Rinpoche. Its placing at the territory of the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum became a mark of deep respect for the work of the International Center of the Roerichs (ICR). It was the ICR that created this remarkable museum. It is the ICR that has been holding in trust the heritage of the Roerichs, promoting its philosophical and ethical ideas about the need to preserve cultural achievements of the past for sustaining human progress in the future, about the Peace through Culture.

The inauguration of the Stupa of the Triple Gem was dated for the 80th Anniversary of the Central-Asian Roerichs Expedition. The Stupa created in accordance with all Buddhist canons was donated to the International Center of the Roerichs as an exhibit of its Non-Governmental Museum.

In the sense of Buddhist relics, the Stupa of the Triple Gem is rightly regarded as a unique Buddhist holy thing. Holy beads Ringse of Buddha Sakyamuni and Buddha Kashyapa aged more than 2500 years were put in there as well as 200 particles of Power Sacred of Saints and Teachers of all Buddhist schools and teachings. This is a unique construction of the highest spiritual and cultural significance to not only Russian Buddhists, but all the Buddhist World.

The Stupa of the Triple Gem has become the center of Buddhism in the capital of Russia, and the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum that of the venue for annual festivals and days of Buddhist culture.

Buddhists from around the world come to bow to the Stupa and just to see it. Over the years the Stupa and the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum

was visited by many well-known teachers and mentors such as Honorable Geshe Lhakdor, the Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (the largest scientific and research center for the preservation of the Buddhist heritage of Tibet), the renowned spiritual Tibetan teacher, the Right Honorable Katog Geshe Rinpoche, the Honorable Mahapandita Nangyal Ati Sherab Nyima Rinpoche,

as well as official delegations of the largest Buddhist monastery-university Drepung Gomang (India) and Tibetan monasteries Goman Datsan and Jonang.

The world- famous scientists - experts on Buddhism Glen Mullinn and Robert Thurman were also the guests of the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum.

This was not by accident that the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum of the International Center of the Roerichs became the venue of opening of the Stupa of the Triple Gem. Our great compatriot, the Great Russian artist Nicholas Roerich, was one of the first in the twentieth century to arouse interest in the enduring treasures of Buddhist culture in the Western world. The Central Asian expedition of Nicholas Roerich made a great contribution to the study of Buddhism.

The International Center of the Roerichs is a worthy successor to the Roerich behest. Nicholas Roerich Museum promotes the interest in the achievements of Buddhist culture. Today it is the largest non-governmental museum in Russia. It has the world's largest collection of paintings and archives of the Roerichs, it collaborates with the UN and UNESCO. Therefore, we consider this Museum a cultural institution of world significance.

Its publishing, scientific, museum activities, exhibitions and festivals of Buddhist culture organized and held in the Museum creates spiritual and cultural space necessary for the preserving and promoting the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Buddhism in the capital of Russia and disseminating peace in the minds and hearts of people.

The multinational people of the Russian Federation have the richest spiritual traditions. Cultural and religious traditions of Buddhism are their integral part and an important component of world culture. We believe that no reason can justify the destruction of the Stupa of the Triple Gem in the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum in Moscow, for the Stupa is the domain of multinational people of Russia. The Stupa has existed in the capital of our country for eight years to create benefit for all beings.

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

on behalf of the Buddhist clergy of the republics of Russia, we are requesting you to contribute to preserving the Stupa of the Triple Gem. For Buddhists of Russia and the whole world the destruction of the Stupa with Buddha’s particles will become not only a personal tragedy, but also the greatest sin.

We are requesting you to save the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum in Moscow as a unique cultural and educational center. Its activities aim at fostering tolerance, mutual understanding, peace and harmony in society.

With the greatest respect,

Telo Tulku Rinpoche 

Shadzhin Lama (Supreme Lama) of the Republic of Kalmykia

Lopsan Chamzy 

Kamby Lama (High Lama) of the Republic of Tuva

June 27, 2016

Link: http://savetibet.ru/2016/06/27/stupa.html

Read also the ICR site