Russia September-October 2019

Providing Dharma care for animals is very important to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. When Rinpoche first arrived in Russia, he attended an animal blessing event organized by Ganden Tendar Ling in Moscow, where over 700 people came with animals to be blessed - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Dog at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling in Moscow. The event included games for children, blessed foods for animals, and education on how to benefit animals. Also animals were available for adoption - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting sutras and mantras at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Cat at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Child with face paint at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Rinpoche blessing a turtle at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Rinpoche blessing a furry pet at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Child with face paint at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Rinpoche blessing a dog at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Rinpoche blessing a cat at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Rinpoche at animal blessing organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Incredible meal offering to Rinpoche - Russia; Photographer: Holly Ansett; 2019-09

Khen Rinpoche (abbot) of the monastery in Elista, Kalmykia, welcoming Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Kalmykia is one of three Buddhist republics in Russia - Elista, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Upon arrival in Elista, Rinpoche was interviewed by local reporters regarding the upcoming retreat while still on the tarmac at the airport - Elista, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

The khurul (temple) where the 100 million mani mantra retreat was held is known as the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni - Elista, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Holly Ansett; 2019-09

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lodoi Rinpoche, and Telo Rinpoche sit at the head of the table surrounded by Sangha at a special welcome dinner - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

From left: Lodoi Rinpoche from Buryatia; Telo Rinpoche, head lama for the Kalmykian people; and Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the welcome dinner - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

Telo Rinpoche (in yellow), Lodoi Rinpoche (on left) and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, surrounded by Sangha and others after a special dinner was offered - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-09

From left: Lodoi Rinpoche from Buryatia; Telo Rinpoche, head lama for the Kalmykian people; and Lama Zopa Rinpoche after a press conference on the 100 million mani retreat - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Lodoi Rinpoche from the Russian Republic of Buryatia, which is a Buddhist republic in eastern Siberia (Russia), north of Mongolia - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Holly Ansett; 2019-10

Rinpoche meeting students in Elista for blessing and advice - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Lama Zopa Rinpohe taught and offered the 1000-armed Chenrezig initiation to approximately 1000 people - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche taught and gave the 1000-armed Chenrezig initiation inside the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche teaching and giving the 1000-armed Chenrezig initiation to approximately 1000 people - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Lama Zopa Rinpoche - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Pemba translating for Rinpoche during the retreat - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche teaching during the 100 million mani retreat - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Most of the international participants attending the 100 million mani retreat with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Geshe Tenzin Zopa - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Roger Kunsang; 2019-10

Rinpoche entering the gompa at the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Group photo at the end of the retreat at the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Group photo at the end of the retreat at the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche and students circumambulating the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche teaching during an animal blessing event - Elista, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

A girl and her cat during animal blessing event - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche blessing animals at the event - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Cat receiving blessings - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche blessing the animals - Elista, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche arriving in the gompa in Lagan, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche teaching in Lagan, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

12.5 meters (40 feet) tall Maitreya statue in Lagan, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche with Khen Rinpoche, Geshes, Sangha, and students, consecrating the large Maitreya statue in Lagan, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche doing prayers before offering a khata to the large Maitreya statue in Lagan, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Group photo with Rinpoche in front of 12.5 meters (40 feet) tall Maitreya statue in Lagan, Kalmykia, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche pouring blessed water into the Caspian Sea to bless all beings in the sea - Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Some of the people who went to bless the Caspian Sea with Rinpoche - Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche in a boat on the Caspian Sea - Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Red Square - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche teaching in Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Rinpoche teaching in an event organized by Ganden Tendar Ling - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Telo Rinpoche on Telo Rinpoche's birthday at the teachings organized by Ganden Tendar Ling. Telo Rinpoche, who is the main lama for the Kalmykian people, thanked Lama Zopa Rinpoche for visiting Kalmykia - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Telo Rinpoche - Moscow, Russia; Photographer: Lobsang Sherab; 2019-10