Buddhist Path to Happiness: The Buddhist New Year was celebrated at the RUSSIA EXPO

This week, festive events dedicated to the beginning of the new year according to the Buddhist calendar — the White Month "Sagaalgan — TsaganSar-Shagaa" — began at the Exposition. The guests of the exposition could taste national dishes, get acquainted with the culture of Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva. And the chairman of the Central Spiritual Board of Buddhists Geshe Yonten told about the Buddhist path to happiness.

Geshe Yonten told about the six paramitas (perfections) of Buddhism: generosity, morality, patience, diligence, meditation and wisdom. According to him, it is through these perfections that a person can become happy.

"By cultivating these six qualities of mind, we will attain happiness. These paramitas work in such a way that each one is an aid in comprehending the others," Geshe Yonten said.

Photo: Stanislav Krasilnikov/RIA News

He noted that the six paramitas can help a person in absolutely anything.

"They will help in business, for example. A lot of businessmen achieve success due to their openness to the world, willingness to negotiate and seek mutual benefit. Generosity, morality, patience, diligence can really be the key to a successful business," he added.

The program of the White Month celebration included the performance of the folk instruments ensemble of the Baikal Theatre and the concert program of the East-Siberian State Institute of Culture "Meeting Sagaalgan".

On the Main Stage of the Exposition, visitors were welcomed by a bright concert program by musical groups from Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva. The guests of the Exposition also saw the circus performance "Legends of Baikal" based on Buryat legends. The local Ded Moroz — Sagaan Ubgen — took part in it. There were also gastronomic masterclasses where one could try local national dishes, such as Kalmyk tea and Buryat dessert boovs.