Supreme Lama of Kalmykia recognized as a foreign agent

On January 27, 2023, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation included the honorary representative of the Dalai Lama in Russia, the CIS countries and Mongolia - the Supreme Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche (Erdni Ombadykov) in the register of individuals acting as a foreign agent. This is the first time a religious figure has been recognized as a foreign agent.

The reason for including him in this list was that he “spoke out against the special military operation in Ukraine and openly spoke in support of Ukraine, is a US citizen. Lives outside the Russian Federation.

On January 28, Telo Tulku Rinpoche delegated authority to Geshe Tendzin Choydak (Mutul Ovyanov) and Gelong administrator Yonten Lodoy (Sergey Kirishov) of the Kalmyk Central Buddhist Monastery Geden Sheddup Choi Korling.

“I wish the people of Kalmykia and all followers of Buddhism in these difficult times to maintain courage, steadfastness and adherence to the ideals of compassion, love and non-violence, on which the Buddha’s Teaching we profess is based,” said the lama .

Sources

• Representative of the Dalai Lama in Russia included in the list of foreign agents // RIA News. 2023. January 27.
• Larina A. The Supreme Lama of Kalmykia resigned after being recognized as a foreign agent // Kommersant. 2023. January 28.