13 October 2013. Our Great Russian Motherland… Buddhist New Year in Chita

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Did you know that Buddhism is one of the Big Four traditional religions in Russia (the others are Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and Judaism)? It’s strongest in Kalmykiya, Tyva, and Buryatiya, but there are also large communities in the Altai Republic, Trans-Baikal Krai, and Irkutsk Oblast. The above image is of Buddhist Lunar New Year in Chita, in Siberia. Estimates vary as to numbers, ranging from 700,000 to 2 million (the total, including the non-observant, is probably closer to the higher figure). It’s all Russian! It’s all ours, or none of it’s ours. Think on it.

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29 April 2011. The Dead of the Tsunami are Remembered…

In Soma, Fukushima Prefecture (Tōhoku Region), students follow Buddhist custom in praying for the dead 49 days after their passing. The storm may be over, but the healing is NOT…

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