After giving the teachings in Irkutsk, Rinpoche traveled throughout Buryatia. The Republic of Buryatia is a region of the Russian Federation whose residents have practiced Buddhism for centuries. The first traces of Buddhism in Buryatia date back to 441 AD, but it became really widespread during the Russian Empire due to the patronage of Russian emperors and empresses.
The first place Rinpoche visited was the village of Orlik in Oka district. He was warmly welcomed by the residents and invited to give teachings and perform rituals in the Oka datsan “Puntsoknamdolling”.
Photos provided by Evgeny Lukanin
Rinpoche next visited Ulan-Ude, the main city of Buryatia. He traveled to the Ivolginsky Datsan, a Buddhist monastery-datsan, the center of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, and was invited to an audience with Yeshe Lodoy Rinpoche at the “Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan”. Yeshe Lodoy Rinpoche knew well the previous incarnation of Ga Lhakhang Rinpoche, they had traveled together across the Tibetan mountains to India.
At Guru Padmasambhava’s datsan, Rinpoche gave teachings based on the text of the great Nyingma master, Patrul Rinpoche “The Words of My Perfect Teacher” (Kunsang Lame Shalung) and further made the Guru Yoga transmission of the highest blessings from “Seven Essence Precepts of Pure Awakened Wisdom” (revealed by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa). On the last day was the empowerment of the 21 Tara.
Photos provided by Guru Padmasambhava Dharma Center
Then Ga Lhakang Rinpoche continued traveling to the holy places of Buryatia and went to rest on Lake Baikal, where he was given the “Direct Introduction to the Nature of Mindfulness”.
Photo provided by the attendants