The third International Buddhist Forum, themed “The Buddhist World in the New Millennium,” convened on 25–28 September in Elista, capital of Russia’s Republic of Kalmykia, drawing scholars, monastics, and delegates from 35 countries.
The forum opened with a grand cultural performance titled Nomadic Peoples, directed by Andrey Boltenko. The multimedia production projected scenes of the steppe landscape and featured Kalmyk songs, dances, and traditional theatrical recitations. Despite overcast weather, thousands attended.
The head the Republic of Kalmykia, Batu Khasikov, addressed attendees, stating: “It is a great honour for us to organise this international forum. Our republic is famous for its hospitality, and I hope that everyone will find answers to their deepest questions by engaging with the great Buddhist philosophy that teaches us to live in harmony and peace.” (Asia News)
He also announced the launch of a Buddhist school for youth education modeled on religious instruction.
Khasikov also noted, “The forum has become a vivid demonstration that a full-fledged infrastructure for holding international events has been created in Kalmykia. The region has developed a tourist base, prepared human resources, and the capital of the republic, Elista, has significantly changed.” (TV BRICS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message conveying his support for the forum. He described Kalmykia as “one of the most important centers of Buddhism in Europe,” and noted that it has preserved “historic and precious spiritual traditions, together with its identity and customs.” Putin urged that inter-religious and inter-ethnic dialogue be strengthened to “build new realities for our future, facing the great challenges of civilization, philosophy and humanism of our time.” (Asia News)
At the event, scholars, sangha members, and religious figures took part in thematic forums and roundtables addressing Buddhist philosophy, monastic discipline, and ethical challenges in modern society. Discussions examined how Buddhist communities can respond to contemporary social issues and uphold monastic discipline amid globalization pressures.
The president of the Central Administration of Buddhists in Russia, Lama Sergei Kirishov (Gesha Jonten), spoke broadly about the forum’s aims, saying, “The goal of all Buddhists in the world is the enlightenment of all living creatures; everyone seeks to become a buddha, and for this reason, one must work on one’s mind and consciousness to eradicate the dark parts and negative feelings.” Kirishov stated that Buddhism was professed by “three of the eight billion inhabitants of the Earth,” although independent demographic studies placed the global Buddhist population nearer to 500 million. (Asia News)
In more politically charged remarks, Kirishov praised “the spirit of sacrifice of the Buddhist soldiers participating in the special military operation in Ukraine,” saying their dedication contributed to maintaining “the morale of the entire Russian army in supporting great traditional moral values.” (Asia News) He also asserted that many Buddhist-majority nations had declined to participate in economic sanctions against Russia, and that economic cooperation with Buddhist countries continued to expand.
More than 50 forum events were held, among them workshops on Buddhist education, monastic training, and interfaith dialogue. The art exhibition Masterpieces of Kalmyk Buddhism from the Museums of St Petersburg was inaugurated in partnership with Buddhist institutions across Russia.
Delegations, numbering more than 2,000 people, came from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, as well as several former Soviet republics including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Kalmykia, along with Buryatia and Tuva, remains one of the few regions in Russia where Tibetan Buddhist institutions retain a cultural foothold. Approximately 53 per cent of the people of Kalmykia identify as Buddhists, making it the only Buddhist-majority region in Europe. The forum reinforces Kalmykia’s symbolic status in the region’s religious geography, even as it draws scrutiny over the interplay of Buddhism, nationalism, war, and foreign policy.
See more
The International Buddhist Forum in Russia (Asia News)
Scholars, Sangha Members discuss Buddhism at a Forum in Kalmykia, Russia (Ani News)
Kalmykia confirms its status as centre of Buddhist culture at international forum in Elista (TV BRICS)
Voices of Dhamma: Reflections from Third International Buddhist Forum, Republic of Kalmykia (The Tribune)
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