Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Leaving taiga and Orthodoxy for steppe and Buddhism

From Tomsk, April 21st 2009.

Steppe is the landscape of large meadows with tempered climate in drz regions. It is also called tampa in Latin America. In Russia, mz first steppe has been the one in the south of Buriatie republic close to Mongolian border. I expect to see more of it towards Altai and later along the border with Kayakhstan.



Monks playing soccer in the steppe near Ulan Ude




The republic of Buriatie has its own anthem, its parlament, and its capitale is Ulan Ude. This city is a true mix of religions and nationalities living together in peace, but buddhism represents the main religion. It is present via numerous temples and monasteries called datsan. The biggest is Ivolga, which is also the center for buddhism relgion in Russia.

Main temple


The Main Door, which will only be opened for Dalai Lama


Stupa and temple


Houses for the students or permanents lamas

No comments: