International Youth Buddhist Forum in Buryatia

From August 7–9, Ulan-Ude hosted participants of the International Youth Buddhist Forum, which included representatives of Buddhist clergy, scholars, educators, and students. The forum’s theme focused on Buddhist culture, philosophy, and practice in the modern world.

The organizers of the forum were:

• The Institute of Mongolian, Buddhist, and Tibetan Studies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
• Buryat State University named after Dorji Banzarov
• The Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research
• The Buddhist University "Dashi Choynhorlin" named after Damba-Darya Zayaev

The forum commenced on August 7 at Buryat State University, where guests and participants were welcomed by:

• A.V. Damdinov, Rector of BSU
• D.L. Vozilov, Vice President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education
• D.G. Dashibaldanov, Rector of the Buddhist University "Dashi Choynhorlin" and Gabbja Lama

They expressed deep gratitude to colleagues and like-minded individuals for their joint efforts in organizing the forum and wished participants productive discussions. They emphasized that addressing youth-related topics within the Buddhist agenda would help tackle pressing issues and outline practical steps in this direction.

In his speech, A.V. Damdinov, Rector of Buryat State University, highlighted that the university is implementing a unique academic program in Buddhist philosophy. The department was established in 2024, with its first cohort of students—future professional philosophers proficient in both traditional and modern Buddhism. A key part of their education includes studying Classical Mongolian, Modern Mongolian, Tibetan, and Sanskrit. The rector also noted that the International Youth Buddhist Forum serves as a continuation of two previous International Buddhist Forums held in Buryatia.

The guests and participants of the International Buddhist Youth Forum were Did Khambo Lama for the North-Western Federal District of Russia, Lama Jampa Donyod (Buda Balzhievich Badmaev), rector of St. Petersburg Datsan Gunzenchoyney, with a report "Datsan Gunzenchoyney during the Great Patriotic War", Acting editor-in-chief of the National Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka Ranjana Devamitra Senasinghe with the topic speeches on "The movement against imperialism, fascism and neocolonialism in Ceylon through the prism of the activities of Buddhist monk Udakendawala Siri Saranankara" and others. During the thematic roundtable "The Buddhist Clergy during the Great Patriotic War," surprising historical information about the scale of patriotic work carried out by the local Buddhist clergy during the war was presented to the public for the first time. On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Victory and on the eve of the anniversary of the Ivolginsky Datsan, the Federal Security Service of the Republic of Buryatia handed over previously classified archival documents to the Buddhist community, including unique wartime evidence: leaflets in Old Buryat script, which the lamas distributed in remote areas of the republic in order to raise funds for the front. The archival materials confirm that the Buddhist clergy played a key role in mobilizing the population and providing assistance to the Red Army soldiers. This tradition of helping the front, which was established by Pandito Khambo Lama Etigelov during the First World War, continues to this day.

The roundtable discussion focused on current issues related to providing assistance to soldiers participating in the Special Military Operation. Bair Lama Batomunkuev, Assistant Commander for Religious Affairs at the Kyakhta Motorized Rifle Brigade and a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Ministry of Defense, emphasized that the Buddhist community cannot remain indifferent and is providing practical support to soldiers in the Special Military Operation zone. Bair Lama was the only Buddhist chaplain in the Russian Armed Forces, but since then, the number of Buddhist chaplains has increased.

During the International Youth Buddhist Forum at BSU, a roundtable discussion titled "Psychological Rehabilitation of SVO Soldiers and Buddhist Psychotherapy Practices" was held, where experts, representatives of the Buddhist clergy, and scholars addressed topics such as "Buddhist Methods of Rehabilitation," "Return to Self: Applying Buddhist Practices to Find Meaning and Life Goals After Combat," "Medical and Psychological Assistance to SVO Participants and Veterans," "Organizing Psychological and Educational Assistance to the Families of SVO Participants in the General Education System of the Republic of Buryatia," and more. The rector of the Buddhist University "Dashi Choinkhorlin" Dashibaldanov Dymbryl bagsha, the Lovbon lama of the Kizhinginsky datsan "Dechen Dashi Lhunbolin" Bazarzhapov Dandar lama, the shirete of the Aninsky datsan "Gandan Shadduvling" Damdinov Legtsok lama, the main guardian of the phenomenon of the 12th Pandito Khamba Lama Dashi Dorjo Etigelova actively participated in the discussion of these issues. Dorzhiev Bimba Lama, Vice Rector Dashi Choinkhorlin Buddhist University, gbse Lama, translator of basic texts from the Tibetan language J. D. Dugdanov, master of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, Professor at the University of Tibetan Studies (India, Sarnath) A. A. Kocharov, Head of the Department of General and Social Psychology of BSU T. Ts. Tudupova, medical psychologist GBUZ "RPND" V. V. Smolyakin and others. At this roundtable, the most valuable Buddhist practices of psychotherapy for the rehabilitation of soldiers were discussed. The experience of Buddhist lamas who travel to the SVO zone to provide assistance to our soldiers is particularly valuable. This large-scale work requires the consolidation of significant efforts and resources. The Buryat State University is becoming a platform for the collaboration of scientists, doctors, psychologists, and representatives of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha to develop effective programs for providing psychological assistance to participants in the SVO.