Russia: Putin visits Russia's biggest Buddhist temple

1. M/S Putin posing with monks for a photo 2. M/S Putin and lama Damba Ayusheyev walking 3. W/S Putin and lama Damba Ayusheyev entering the temple 4. W/S Putin and lama Damba Ayusheyev walking around the temple 5. W/S Putin and lama Damba Ayusheyev walking around the temple 6. M/S Lama Damba Ayusheyev showing Putin around 7. M/S Lama Damba Ayusheyev showing Putin around 8. M/S Lama Damba Ayusheyev showing Putin around 9. M/S Monks drinking tea 10. W/S Line of monks SCRIPT: Russian president Vladimir Putin promised support for Russian Buddhists after visiting Ulan Ude, the capital of Russia's Buryatia Republic on Thursday. The first stop of his visit was to the largest Buddhist Sangha in Russia, Ivolgonsky Datsan. There he met the head of the Buddhist temple, lama Damba Ayusheyev, and other monks. Russia is home to one of the biggest Buddhist communities in the world. In Russia Buddhism enjoys the status of a state religion. Putin's visit to Ulan-Ude is the first part of his tour around the Siberian Federal District. During his visit, Russian President will chair the Russian State Council meeting, where timber industry issues will be discussed.