(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Russia’s Golden Triangle—Buryatia, Kalmykia, and Tuva—stands out as a vibrant hub for Buddhism, known as the Holy Triangle of Buddha Dhamma. These three regions, home to mostly Buddhist ethnic groups like the Buryats, Kalmyks, and Tuvans, have kept ancient traditions alive for over 400 years. Despite tough times, especially under Soviet rule, Buddhism in Russia has shown incredible staying power.
The story starts with the Kalmyks, a Mongol group who joined the Russian Empire early on. They picked up formal Buddhist practices in the late 1500s, building on traditions they already knew. The Buryats adopted the faith soon after, while the Tuvans, who had long ties to Buddhism, shifted from Chinese influence to Russian control.
A big turning point came in 1741 when Empress Elizaveta Petrovna officially recognized Buddhism as a state religion. This move helped it thrive. By 1764, Buddhists could even select their own leaders. In Buryatia, that led to the creation of the Banzhida Khambo Lama, a top spiritual figure backed by the government.
But the 20th century brought dark days for Buddhism in these regions. In the 1930s, the Soviet government’s push for state atheism through its Religious Suppression Policy hit hard. It aimed to wipe out Buddhist sites and promote atheism across Russia. Temples, called datsans, got looted and torn down. In Buryatia, schools closed in 1926, and precious books, art, and manuscripts burned. Lamas lost their lands in 1929, and by 1940, almost no temples remained.
Tuva saw its monk population drop from about 5,000 in the late 1920s to just 67 by 1937. In Kalmykia, the 1917 Russian Civil War destroyed many temples, and the suppression policy finished off the rest, including religious schools.
Buddhists also faced pressure from the Russian Orthodox Church, which pushed forced baptisms and labeled their beliefs as mere superstitions. Yet, the community fought back by proving their loyalty to Russia. Buryats, for instance, served as Cossacks, defending the empire’s borders. For these groups, Buddhism wasn’t just a faith—it was a way to hold onto their ethnic identity in a Christian-dominated world.
After World War II, things started to improve. In 1945, Soviet religious policies eased a bit, thanks in part to Buddhists’ wartime contributions. Temples began rebuilding. Buryatia reopened the Ivolginsk datsan and revived monastic life at Aginsky. By 1946, the Central Spiritual Board of Buddhists formed in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, becoming the official voice for Soviet Buddhists.
The real boom came in the late 1980s. In Kalmykia, the first local Buddhist group registered in 1988, followed by the Kalmyk Buddhism Federation in 1991. When the Soviet Union collapsed, revival sped up in Buryatia and Kalmykia, led by strong spiritual figures. They rebuilt temples, set up schools, and trained young monks to keep traditions going.
Tuva lagged a little, partly due to fewer leaders, but it caught up by sending students to India in 1993 for advanced Buddhist studies. Across the Golden Triangle, the regions leaned on each other, creating a strong network that still thrives today. They share knowledge and support to spread Buddha Dhamma far and wide.
Now, these areas host global events that connect Buddhist communities worldwide. Russia’s International Buddhist Forum runs yearly conferences to explore Buddhist culture, philosophy, and modern practices, while building ties with groups abroad. The third edition kicks off September 25 to 28, 2025, in Elista, Kalmykia.
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