The following article is from the Spring, 1992 issue of the Snow Lion Newsletter and is for historical reference only. You can see this in context of the original newsletter here.

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The Kalachakra Medal issued by the Paris Mint commemorates the past, present, and future Kalachakra initiations conferred by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Created by the world-renowned Japanese medalist, Keiichi Uryu, award winner of the American Numismatic Society in 1989, it is a powerful symbol of peace, protection, and generosity.

The medal depicts, on the obverse side, Kalachakra and his consort Vishvamata. The design was based on a thangka painting made by one of the greatest artists in Tibetan history. The mantra symbol is on the reverse. Issued in Florentine bronze, it is 72 mm diameter, 6 mm thickness and weighs 200 grams. It is also available in silver.

Of his work, Keiichi Uryu stated, The Kalachakra an is marvellous. It is based on lofty philosophy, devotion, and skill. In creating the Kalachakra Medal, I have given all I have. It was very exacting and the most difficult work I have done so far.'' Keiichi Uryu has produced over 1,300 medals and reliefs.

The Tibetan Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Mr. Kelsang Yeshi, formally authorized the Tibet Society of Europe, an international non-profit organization, to issue the first ever Kalachakra Medal as a fund-raising project to finance the resettlement and education of some 200 nuns who recently came to Dharamsala, India, from Tibet. Another 200 nuns are expected to arrive this year. A plot of land has already been purchased in Lower Dharamsala with a U.S. donation and the Indian Army has given tents to shelter the nuns who are constructing their own home.

A brochure is available. To order the Kalachakra Medal please send U.S. $90 for the bronze or U.S. $500 for the silver medal to: Dr. Armand Moury, President, Tibet Society of Europe, 23 Avenue Pirenne, B-1180 Brussels, Belgium. Tel. 011-32-02-3433373.

I have become quite familiar with the Tibet Society of Europe through joining two of their excellent tours to India to study the arts of the Tibetans-in-exile and participate in international conferences to share knowledge in the healing arts at the Tibetan Medical Institute in Dharamsala, and I can highly recommend the organization for its integrity and humanitarian concern.

Vivian Hunter

Box 562, Terra Cotta

Ontario, Canada LOP-1 NO