The Buddhist Education and Research Support Fund, established in 2022 by order of the President of the Russian Federation, has announced the results of its competition supporting scientific research in Buddhist studies and the translation of Buddhist texts. Among the distinguished winners is Professor Lyubov Chetyrova of the Department of Philosophy at Samara University.
Founded with co-founders including the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and leading Buddhist organizations, the Fund pursues a vital mission: strengthening Russian civic identity among Buddhist clergy and believers, enhancing the quality of Buddhist education, and cultivating a new generation of Russian Buddhist leaders capable of representing Russia's interests and values on the global stage.
A Project Dedicated to Preservation and Memory
Professor Chetyrova's winning project, titled "Tugmyud-Gavji: Guardian of the Dharma in the Years of Oblivion," explores the life and spiritual legacy of an extraordinary Kalmyk Buddhist figure of the 20th century—Tugmyud-Gavji (O. M. Dorjiev, 1887–1980), widely revered as the Tsagan-Aman Avа.
Despite the absence of official Buddhist temples and stringent state prohibitions during the Soviet era, this remarkable lama preserved and transmitted Buddhist teachings, becoming a pivotal figure in safeguarding the tradition in Soviet Kalmykia. The project aims to reconstruct a comprehensive portrait of Tugmyud-Gavji's service as a steadfast guardian of the Dharma.
Methodology and Innovation
The research will draw upon archival materials from Astrakhan, St. Petersburg, Kalmykia, and Khakassia, complemented by interviews with individuals who personally knew the lama. What sets this project apart is its innovative framing: presenting Tugmyud-Gavji's biography as a model of cultural resilience—demonstrating how spiritual traditions can survive and be transmitted under extreme socio-political pressure.
Dissemination and Impact
Theoretical findings from the project will be shared through:
- A peer-reviewed academic article,
- A roundtable discussion engaging young scholars of Oriental studies,
- Presentations at national and international conferences,
- In addition, outreach through media publications.
This grant not only honors Professor Chetyrova's scholarly excellence but also underscores Samara University's growing contribution to the humanities—bridging historical memory, philosophical inquiry, and intercultural dialogue in service of Russia's rich spiritual heritage.
Prepared by the Department for Research Support
