Paper short abstract:

This paper looks at how Buryat Buddhism historically and in its new urban form has been an important axis of assembly in the immediate sense of gathering people and in providing a shared identity. It explores social and political potentialities of such gathering, particularly in contemporary Russia.

Paper long abstract:

The paper explores the ways in which Buddhism provides a means of gathering in post-Soviet Buryatia. Across Asia, Buddhist monasteries have often been located out of the way, outside of cities. In its popular image, this religion is strongly associated with solitude, meditative practices, and monastic restraint. Indeed, much of Buddhist teaching involves solitary mindfulness and other practice. However, this widespread image of withdrawal obscures Buddhism as it is lived and practiced across Asia and the world. It is a prominent religion not just in remote retreats but also in the hustle and bustle of urban centers. Similarly, in Buryatia, the post-Soviet revival of Buddhism has involved not just its historical settings out in the steppe but also a strong presence in the city, which provides it with new forms of concentration, representation and visibility. This paper looks at the ways in which Buddhism both historically and in its new urban form has been an important axis of assembly both in the immediate sense of gathering people and in terms of providing a shared identity. It will explore social and political potentialities of such gathering, particularly in the context of contemporary Russia. The paper is based on 13 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Buryatia, conducted between 2015-2019.