On the 7th of May the spiritual leader of all Buddhists in the world, Laureate of Nobel Peace Prize, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama met with the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Telo Tulku Rinpoche, Sajin Lama of Kalmykia. The meeting took place in the Indian city Dharamshala, in the residence of H. H. the 14th Dalai Lama. During the two-hour conversation they discussed the issues of development of Buddhism in the Russian Federation and particularly in the Republic of Kalmykia. The meeting was held at the invitation of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama who invited K. Ilyumzhinov to visit Dharamshala when they participated in the 12th Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Chicago.

A special attention during the talks was drawn to the possibility of pastoral visit of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama to the Russian Federation. And according to Dalai Lama it would be of great importance for him to visit not only the regions where traditionally the majority of people practice Buddhism (Kalmykia, Buryatia, Tuva) but also Saint Petersburg and Moscow. The 14th Dalai Lama added that nowadays a lot is done by government of Russia for restoration of spirituality and support of traditional religions. In this connection a process of restoration of Buddhism as one of the traditional religions of Russia is taking place in the country.

The 14th Dalai Lama also noted that it is important for him to meet with the Russian Buddhists as the Buddhist monk with the followers of Buddhism. Moreover, he doesn't hold any post in the Tibetan administration in Dharamshala at present time. The 14th Dalai Lama hopes that the meeting will take place and he will be able to visit all Buddhists regions of Russia, Saint Petersburg and Moscow. As the result of the meeting Kirsan Ilyumzhinov noted that they discussed the possibility of two weeks visit of H. H. the 14th Dalai Lama to the Russian Federation.

- Such wish was expressed by His Holiness Dalai Lama the 14th, - said K. Ilyumzhinov.

The FIDE President presented the 14th Dalai Lama with the photo album with pictures of Kalmykia, the art work of the famous Kalmyk photographer Garya Lidzhiev. While viewing the photos His Holiness paid attention to the photos of tulips in the steppe. He said that he had seen the picturesque fields of tulips in Netherlands during his visit to the country.

In his turn Dalai Lama the 14th asked to give as a present to the President-elect Vladimir Putin his book with a compliment slip in which he wished him all the success at the post of the Russian President and extended good wishes of prosperity to all Russian people.

In conclusion of the meeting H. H. the 14th Dalai Lama warmly thanked Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Sajin Lama Telo Tulku Rinpoche for the efforts taken by them for restoration of Buddhism in Kalmykia, Russia and other countries of the world.

- His Holiness highly appreciated a selfless activity of Sajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche in restoration of Buddhism in Kalmykia, in the sphere of strengthening of Kalmyk people spirituality, - Kirsan Ilyumzhinov noted after the meeting.

- It was a warm and friendly meeting, - said Sajin Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche, - and His Holiness underlined that Kirsan Iliyumzhinov is his old friend with whom he settled warmest and direct contact. Dalai Lama the 14th also noted that feels sympathy with the Russian people and hopes to have a pastoral visit to Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva, but only if this visit will not put to inconvenience the Russian government.