Near Ural town Kachkanar of Sverdlovsk oblast first local Buddha monastery-institute opened. It was founded by ex-official of KGB 43-year old Mikhail Sannikov. He is the only lama-tutor in his educational institute.

School of Ural Buddha situated in mountains, far from human eyes. On territory of monastery there are several apartment houses and mortar - construction of complicated shape meant to harmonize the space. At present moment the largest of 7 planned mortars is under construction.

There are 7 pupils who study at monastery-institute constantly. 4 of them gave monastic vow. There are also lots of people who want to learn Buddhism by correspondence.

Followers of Ural Buddhism want to approach east religion to Russian mentality. "Buddhism always has close connection with Slavs", - thinks Igor Smirnov.

Monastery doesn`t look like traditional Tibet analogues. Buildings look more like living houses than sacred. But residents of monastery spend winter there despite of blown through walls.
sections: Society, Region News
areas: Ural region