DECR secretary for interfaith relations speaks at a seminar of the Buddhist community of Russia

DECR Communication Service, 25/09/2026

On 24^thSeptember 2026, an expert seminar entitled “Interconnected World: Paths of Civilizational Development” took place at the Russian House of International Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Moscow.

The event was organized by the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, the “Arya Sangha” Association of Buddhist Communities and the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research. The seminar brought together religious and public figures, statespersons, diplomats and representatives of the academic community. Among the participants in the meeting were Did Khambo Lama of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia, Dashi-Nima Sodnomdorzhiyev; Mr V.Yu. Zorin, Chair of the Commission for Interethnic and Interfaith Relations and Migration of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation; Mr A.A. Terentyev, Chief Adviser of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate; Mr A.V. Bugayev, President of the “Arya Sangha” Centralized Religious Organization; Mr O.K. Vavilov, Head of the Board of the Association of the Traditional Buddhist Communities of Moscow; Ms O.M. Khomushku, Rector of the Tuvan State University; and others.

With the blessing of the Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), Priest Iliya Kashitsyn, DECR Secretary for Interfaith Relations, Executive Secretary of the Interreligious Council of Russia, took part in the meeting. In his speech, he pointed out the importance of promoting dialogue among traditional religions and noted considerable potential of cooperation between the Orthodox Christian and the Buddhist communities of Russia in a number of issues of social importance.

Within the framework of the meeting, various expert sessions took place, focusing on interethnic and interfaith relations in the Eurasian region, as well as Buddhism’s stance on today’s challenges and efforts to preserve traditions. Other topics of discussion included religious education, anthropological and environmental issues and results of the IV International Buddhist Forum held in Tuva in August 2026.

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DECR secretary for interfaith relations speaks at a seminar of the Buddhist community of Russia

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Department Chairman

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Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons