Eli in Buddhist Russia: Kalmykia (video)

The lotus blooms in the East? Eastern Europe

Buddhism was officially incorporated into Siberia in the early 17th century [1, 2] and is considered one of Russia's traditional religions and a legal part of Russian historical heritage [3]. Besides the monastic Buddhist traditions of Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia (the only Buddhist-majority republic in Europe), Buddhism is spreading all over Russia, with many ethnic Russian converts [4, 5].*

Buddhist Europe? New Years in Kalmykia

Republic of Kalmykia: In Elista took place a much big Russian Buddhist celebration

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(Eli from Russia) Jan. 7, 2024: ELISTA, Kalmykia - There is a Buddhist republic in the heart of Europe. On arriving, one can't believe what one is seeing: Buddhist stupas, temples, pagodas, Asian Buddhist gates and buildings. This Russian region has a truly distinct culture, traditions, and holidays. I will celebrate the Kalmyk Zul (Festival of Lamps) holiday with locals and add one year to my life along with all Kalmyks. Buddhism in Kalmykia

TIMECODES

• 00:00 I'm going to celebrate the New Year with Kalmyks!
• 01:17 Welcome to the capital: Elista City
• 02:46 What did I find on the Lenin Square?
• 04:26 My chance to make a wish under the Golden Gate
• 05:47 Here is a Kalmyk lunch!
• 09:30 Is this really Europe?!
• 11:25 Locals came to get blessings from Buddhist lamas
• 12:31 It's New Year's Day in Kalmykia
• 16:47 A ritual to prolong life

• Buddhist Modernities: Re-inventing Tradition in the Globalizing Modern World
• Republic of Kalmykia » New Year Zul
• 📌 elinabakunova.com/russianclub: Russian Speaking Club to practice at any level

*Buddhism in Russia

In 2012, Russian Vajrayana Buddhism was the religion of:

• 62% of the total population of Tuva,
• 48% of Kalmykia (the only indigenously Buddhist part of Europe), and
• 20% of Buryatia [24].

Buddhists, Shamans, and Soviets: Rituals...Buryatia

Buddhism also has adherents amounting to 6% in Zabaykalsky Krai, primarily ethnic Buryats, and 0.5% to 0.9% in Tomsk Oblast and Yakutia.

Buddhist communities are found in other federal subjects of Russia, between 0.1% and 0.5% in Sakhalin Oblast, Khabarovsk Krai, Amur Oblast, Irkutsk Oblast, Altay, Khakassia, Novosibirsk Oblast, Tomsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast, Orenburg Oblast, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Murmansk Oblast, Moscow and Moscow Oblast, Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, and in Kaliningrad Oblast [24].

In large cities like Moscow, Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad, capital of the Czar's Empire which became the Soviet Union), and Samara, where up to 1% of the population identify as Buddhists [26].

• Buddhism in Tuva
• Buddhism in Kalmykia
• Buddhism in Buryatia
• Datsan and Khurul - Buddhist temples in Russia
• Khambo Lama
• Datsan Gunzechoinei
• Tubden Shedubling - Buddhist temple complex in Moscow
• More: Buddhism in Russia

• Eli from Russia, YouTube; Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Origin and purpose of blue eyes (video)

Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, Shakyamuni ("Scythian Sage") had blue eyes.

The Origin and Purpose of Blue Eyes

(Survive the Jive) Jan. 22, 2024: Why do some people have blue eyes? What is the Darwin/Wallace evolutionary advantage of having blue eyes? Where did blue eyes evolve?

• Physical characteristics of the Buddha like blue eyes

Blue eyes are an ancient thuman rait.

Blue eyes have piqued curiosity for centuries, standing out as a mesmerizing and rare trait among humans.

Discover the underlying science behind blue eyes as we explore various theories and genetic factors that contribute to their existence.

They were mainly associated with Mesolithic Western hunter gatherers like Cheddar man but the origin and story of this phenotype is complicated. A new study from Liverpool may have the answer as to what benefit this trait has -- better ability to see in low light.

Sources

• biorxiv.org/content/10.11...
• sciencedaily.com/releases...

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Iceland is green, Greenland is ice (video)

Watch Diary; Iceland Travel Guide; Amber Larson, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Even though Iceland’s population is small, the volume of tourists the country receives every year more than fills it up, bringing a massive human presence to the island.

Popular for its camera-worthy landscapes, green Iceland’s top destinations are seldom quiet enough for professional filming.

Come for the black sand beaches. Leave high.

While most parts of Iceland are full of tourists year-round, some hidden gems remain unexplored. They make the perfect spot for top notch nature shots.

• Buddhism in Iceland
• Where are "Europe" and Greenland?
• Japanese Zen among the Icelanders
• Thai Theravada Buddhist temple of Iceland
• Stokksnes Mountains of Iceland (bing.com)

A replica of an Icelandic fishing village, well insulated roofs, Bolungarvik, Iceland

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Visit Estonia (PM Kaja Kallas)

Every photographer’s dream, Stokksnes Peninsula offers out-of-this-world sites and awe-inspiring landscapes no camera owner could resist.

The part of the island is home to picturesque mountain peaks along with beautiful black-sand beaches lined with small patches of vegetation.

Stokksnes is a major headland, which means there are many cliffs along the edge. Waves on the west crash in with full power and ferocity. More

• Strange weather: Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite its high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. The high latitude and marine influence keep summers chilly. Most of its islands have a polar climate.

What is and isn't "Europe"?

Finland is in Russia? Russia is Europe? Turkey is an island? Iceland in, Greenland out?