Residents of Kalmykia mark Buddha's birthday

In Kalmykia, June 18 has been announced a day-off in honour of Buddha Shakyamuni's birthday. President of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has signed a corresponding decree "with the aim to further advance the spiritual traditions of the Kalmyk people."

"By celebrating this holiday, we accumulate huge good merits which, possibly, will manifest themselves in this and in the following lives," abbot of the Elista Buddhist Temple Anzha-Gelyung told the "Interfax-South" Agency.

The information portal of Kalmykia "Elista.ORG" writes that in the honour of the holiday, Ole Nidal, a European Lama, will give a lecture in the main Khural of Kalmykia. Mr Nidal is one of few western people, having full qualification of Lama and teacher of meditation of the Buddhist tradition Karma Kagyu.

According to the tradition, Buddha Shakyamuni's birthday, the day of his enlightenment and escape to Nirvana is marked on the 15th day of the celebratory month of Ur-sar according to the lunar calendar. Buddhists celebrate this holiday for a whole week. On this day, solemn molebens are held in all monasteries, and processions and marches are organized. In 2000, this holiday was included into the UNESCO Calendar.