Dharamshala: - Six Members of Estonian parliament led by Andres Herkel reassembled to transform a new support group for Tibet, a parliamentary body which has been active since Estonia regained its independence in 1992. Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will pay a 3 day visit to Estonia in Agust to give a Public Talk and Buddhist Teaching.
According to Estonia news agency ERR, Andres Herkel of the country's party called IRL was once again elected as chairman of the support group, having fulfilled the same duties in from 2003 to 2007. In 2007, he was succeeded by Aleksei Lotman of the Green Party. Social Democrat Kalvi Kõva was elected deputy chairman.
The members also met with the head of the Institute of Buddhism, Sven Grünberg, who gave an overview of preparations made for welcoming Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Estonia in August 2011. The members of the support group acknowledged the work done and pledged to continue where former members had left off.
The formation of the inter-group was also announced to London based Mr. Thubten Samdup, the envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Northern Europe will make a visit to Estonia in May this year. Samdup's first visit was in June 2010. However, It is not clear if the parliament support group will meet the His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his visit to the country.
According to Sven Grünberg of the Estonian Institute of Buddhism, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Estonia this summer will mark an unofficial tradition of visits every ten years. The announcement of the exiled Tibetan religious leader's August visit was made by Sven Grünberg.
Grünberg told Postimees he had received confirmation from the Dalai Lama's office that the Tibetan leader's visit would take place from August 16 to 18. A meeting with the Estonian public is also planned on August 18. His Holiness has previously visited the country in 1991 and 2001.
