BURYATIA ASKS PUTIN NOT TO EXPEL BUDDHIST TEACHER FROM COUNTRY
Baikal Daily, 30 September 2015
Buddhists call the case of Shiwalha Rinpoche, who in accordance with a decision by the FSB [Federal Security Service] will be permanently deported from Russia, unprecedented. Buryatia has united for the collection of signatures under a petition to President Putin.
Several days ago, a campaign for saving the Buddhist teacher Shiwalha Rinpoche from deportation from Russia began to unfold on the Internet.
On 23 September, his permit for residence in the Russian federation was cancelled. "On 23 September the FSB directorate for the republic of Tuva delivered a paper to the Right Reverend Shiwalha Rinpoche (whose secular name according to the documents is Lobsang Gele). It said that the Russian FSB on 28 August 2015 made a decision about the undesirability of his staying (residence) in the Russian federation and of demanding his departure from the borders of the RF within 15 days. This decision was made in accordance with article 25.10 of the federal law "On the procedure of exit from the Russian federation and entrance into the Russian federation," a group of disciples and friends of Shiwalha Rinpoche said.
The same decision had been made regarding his aide, the monk Lobsang Tsering, but it was not delivered because the latter is not in Russia.
According to the decision of the agency, Shiwalha Rinpoche was supposed to leave the country back on 26 September, but the period of his stay was extended because his attorney filed a petition in court. Now the latest date is 9 October.
A group of disciples and believers has already appealed for help to the deputy to the Russian State Duma from Tuva, Larisa Shoiga; Senator Oksana Belokon; the chairman of the Supreme Khural of Tuva, Kan-ool Davaa; the chairman of the Public Chamber of the republic of Tuva, Mongush; and other political leaders. A petition to President Vladimir Putin was created on the website "Change.org," with the request to annul the decision of the FSB. In just a few days it has collected 2,000 votes.
"In the eleven years of his activity in the RF, the Right Reverend Shiwalha Rinpoche has made his own most enormous contribution to the revival of Buddhism and the religious education of the population specifically of this republic. Under Rinpoche's leadership, Buddhist stupas were built throughout Tuva territory, a Buddhist temple was built on the shore of lake Chagytai of Tandyn district, Rinpoche's teachings were published, and video and audio materials were issued. Rinpoche conducted substantial educational work among youth, allowing them to avoid falling into destructive international sects or under the influence of radical organizations and preachers that are not traditional for Russians. The construction of stupas and religious educational activity were also conducted in other regions of Russia," the petition says.
Collection of signatures for the president was conducted as well in a number of regions of the country. Buddhists of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Yakutsk, Volgograd, Kursk, Transbaikal territory, and elsewhere joined the action.
Collection of signatures in Buryatia began literally today. Ariuna, a citizen of Ulan-Ude, voluntarily took responsibility for the signatures. The girl, who is a Buddhist by confession, is now at home with her children. "I looked over the list and I saw that practically every city of Russia was indicated except for Ulan-Ude, so I decided to come forward," Ariuna explained to Baikal Daily. She said that no signatures had been collected in Buryatia. However active work will begin tomorrow.
Ariuna places her hopes in the large Buddhist communities, like Green Tara, which actively participates in such events. "My friends in Tuva are disciples of Bagsha Rinpoche. As far as I know, he delivers lectures on Buddhist philosophy in Tuva," the girl from Ulan-Ude noted. After the collection of signatures concludes, Ariuna will send them immediately to the organizers.
We note that activists of the Transbaikal territory collected more than 800 signatures. They delivered them to Deputy Iosif Kobson, who will personally deliver the documents to Vladimir Putin.
"I myself am a Buddhist, and I consider that Kalmyks, Tuvins, and Buryats should not forget their traditions and their religion. And Shiwalha Rinpoche is just one of the teachers who proposes restoring the teachings of Buddhism in Russia," Ariuna concluded.
All wishing to participate in the collection of signatures may call telephone number 8-924-457-8433. (tr. by PDS, posted 2 October 2015)
Russian original posted on Portal-credo.ru, 1 October 2015
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