VLADIMIR PUTIN WISHES RUSSIAN BUDDHISTS A HAPPY NEW YEAR

With the start of a new year for Buddhists, the Russian President offered a happy new year message which  reads, in part:“The tradition of celebrating Sagaalgan (Buddhist New Year) has deep historical roots and for many centuries has united peoples that follow Buddhism.  It is important that the Russian Buddhist community carefully preserves the priceless spiritual and moral heritage of their ancestors, their indigenous traditions and pays constant attention to the educational, awareness-raising and charitable work, cares about strengthening family values, upbringing of younger generation and contributes to the development of interfaith and interethnic dialogue, strengthens peace and concord in society.”