The Central Spiritual Board of Buddhists of the USSR (TsDUB) was the authorized organization for Buddhists in the Soviet Union.
The organization was founded at a congress of Buddhist believers on May 21–23, 1946 in Ulan-Ude, Buryat-Mongol ASSR. Their "Law of Spiritual Administration of Buddhists and a Regulation for Buddhist Clergy of the USSR", making it imperative for Buddhists to honor the worker's fatherland and put its interests on par with their faith.[1]
The chairman of the new organization was given the title Bandido Khambo Lama, and the headquarters was at a new temple located near Ulan-Ude, Khambin sume, now known as Ivolginsky datsan. Soon a second temple was built, the Agin datsan in Chita.[2] A permanent office was established in Moscow, which mainly dealt with external relations.[3]
A congress of clergy and laity met quadrennially to elect members of the Board.[4]
TsDUB joined the International Brotherhood of Buddhists in 1956 and the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in 1969. The latter was an organization of Buddhists from Soviet dominated countries.[5]
Chairmen of this group held the title Bandido Khambo-Lama. This post was held by the following:[6]