SELF-PERCEPTION AND MOTIVATIONS OF FEMALE BURYAT BUDDHIST ACTIVISTS

Abstract

A rich scholarship exists on Buryat Buddhism and its history; however, it mostly provides the reader with socio-historical context, leaving a gap in understanding the role of women within the religious community. This gap is observable in Buryatia, a region with a significant Buddhist population. This research project attempts to fill this gap by studying the agency of laywomen within the Buryat Buddhist sangha by exploring their roles, contributions, and motivations. Studies on female religiosity and opportunities for women in Buddhism, such as nun ordination and Tantric practices, used to overlook the experiences and voices of secular women. Employing theories of desecularization and faith-based activism, this study aims to understand how female Buryat Buddhist activists locate themselves within the modern Buddhist sangha. Their projects can be religious or secular, yet still religiously motivated, as many activists see their efforts as a Buddhist duty or a way to collect good karma. The main research question of this study is how female Buryat Buddhist activists see themselves as Buddhist sangha members. A case study method allows us to get insights into the diverse roles and motivations of lay female religious activists in Buryatia.