Kalmykia to Celebrate the Day of the First Turning of the Wheel of Teaching

Every year, in the summer, the entire Buddhist world solemnly celebrates the Day of the First Turning of the Wheel of Teaching, the day when Buddha Shakyamuni, having attained Enlightenment, gave his first sermon. Ever since then, for more than 2500 years, the light of the Dharma has not faded.

At the Central Khurul of Kalmykia this event is widely celebrated every year. This year it falls on 18 July.

From early morning, events will begin at the khurul:

✅ 05:00 — the taking of the one-day Mahayana vows will take place under the guidance of the Venerable Geshe Lharampa Jagba Gyatso. There are eight of them, and all are directed at maintaining the purity of body, speech, and mind, for the benefit of all living beings.

✅ 08:00 — the “Määdrin Ergts” ritual. A solemn procession around the khurul together with the monks and the faithful. In their hands — a statue of Maitreya and the sacred Kangyur texts. Every step in this procession — a sign that the Wheel of Dharma keeps turning, carrying the light of the teaching through the ages.

✅ At 09:00 — a festive prayer service.

✅ at 15:00 — the transmission of lung: the oral transmission and blessing to recite mantras and texts. This is a rare opportunity to touch the unbroken lineage of the teaching — from the Buddha himself, through generations of teachers, to you. On the program — lung for the mantras of Buddha Shakyamuni, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Green Tara, the Medicine Buddha, and other bodhisattvas, as well as for the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and other texts. Having received the lung, you obtain the blessing of the entire lineage — and the power of your practice increases many times over.

Dear devotees, come and take part in this special day for every Buddhist. May it become for you not merely a visit to the temple, but a personal encounter with the Teaching — quiet, profound, and truly important.