The tsam dance in this video was performed in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Temple in Elista. Since 1917 tsam was performed only twice in Kalmykia, and this video captures one such rare occasion. The tsam dancers are Tibetan monks from the Dzongkar Choede Monastery in India. The ceremony is opened by the Head Lama of Kalmykia, Telo Tulku Rinpoche. The head of the Republic of Kalmykia, Alexey Orlov, a Kalmyk MP in Russian Duma, Marina Mukabenova, and the abbot of the Dzongkar Choede Monastery, Tubden Tsering, also gave celebratory speeches.Telo Tulku Rinpoche's speech: On the invitation of the Central Temple 28 monks from the Dzongkar Choede Monastery arrived in Kalmykia to perform this ceremony. This ritual is not a mere theatrical performance but a religious ritual. Today many people have gathered here, and I wish you all to live in peace and understanding. We have guests here today who are scholars in Buddhism. We are celebrating this anniversary with pride. Today the Central Temple is the biggest temple in Europe. We know that thanks to the Temple we can improve our knowledge of Buddhism. Our Temple carries out educational work among the laity. Today among our guests are people from other Buddhist republics, such as Buryatia and Tuva. We can be beneficial to each other and exchange our experiences. Today I would like to thank all people of Kalmykia from the bottom of my heart for your faith and support. Thank you very much. I want again to thank the head of Kalmykia, Alexey Orlov, as well as the previous head of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. My gratitude also goes towards our sponsors and volunteers who help the Central Temple. I wish all happiness, health, peace, and prosperity. I will always pray for all of you.Alexey Orlov’s speech: I would like to congratulate all the guests and people who are present here for the anniversary of the Central Temple. 11 years ago the Dalai Lama consecrated this land for the construction of a temple. The Temple was built within a year. The Temple has become a scientific center and a center for the unity of religions. In this building people can learn about Buddhism. Our people have suffered a lot. Our people managed to keep their ethnic identity, which is what our Buddhist teachers teach us. The ceremony of tsam reflects the historical uniqueness of the Kalmyk people. I hope that this celebration will serve as an incarnation of unity, and cultural and religious values.Marina Mukabenova’s speech: I congratulate you on the anniversary. The Central Temple organizes free Kalmyk language courses. Thanks to our Rinpoche our pilgrims go to India for the Dalai Lama's teachings. The Temple also carries out work to strengthen inter-religious harmony. We are proud that our Head Lama has been appointed permanent representative of the Dalai Lama XIV in Russia and in the countries of CIS. Rinpoche and the workers of the Temple, please accept the words of my deep gratitude for your work and for your wish to help all living beings.Tubden Tsering: On behalf of all the monks of the Dzongkar Choede Monastery I would like to greet all the people present here, the head of Kalmykia and all the guests. I would like to briefly tell you about the history of our monastery and the ceremony of tsam. The monastery initially belonged to the Sakya school of Buddhism. It was built in 1277. In 1651 the Dalai Lama V, seeing a great demand, changed the monastery from the tradition of Sakya to that of Gelug. (Following China’s annexation of Tibet) representative of the monastery fled to Nepal, and from there the monastery was re-built in the south of India in 1972. Traditionally, the monastery performed tantric rituals and practices. On the instructions of the Dalai Lama XIV, the monastery began to teach higher philosophy of Buddhism to its monks. Now about the origin of the tradition of ritual dances. In 1490 a great yoga practitioner Chopel Sangpo saw the face of deity Yamantaka. In accordance with this vision, the yoga practitioner established a tradition of religious dances called tsam. At that time our monastery was situated in a borderland between India and Nepal. This region was rife with conflicts. In order to eradicate these border conflicts, as well as hunger, draught, illnesses and other obstacles, tsam dances came to be performed on the 29th day of the 12th month according to the lunar calendar. This dance ceremony is performed together with a ritual to ‘erect the iron palace of Torgyak’. Today the monks will perform this dance to remove obstacles and for peace in the world and for prosperity in Kalmykia. I would like to remind you all that this is not a show but a religious ceremony. It would be good if all people here create a good motivation together with us. On behalf of the monastery I would like to offer hadag scarfs to the Head of Kalmykia and the Head Lama of Kalmykia as well. I would also like to wish prosperity in Russia and health to both Kalmyk and Tibetan peoples.