Buddhism in Russia: Tradition and diversity

This conference examines the historical development and contemporary place of Buddhism within the complex spiritual panorama of Russia. We will address the appearance of Buddhism in Russian territories from the seventeenth century, especially with the incorporation of regions inhabited by traditionally Buddhist peoples such as Calmucos, Buriators and tuvinos. These groups, belonging to traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, They constitute the historical core of Buddhism in Russia.
Among other things, We will talk about the institutional and spiritual evolution of Buddhism under the Russian Empire, its sunset under state pressure in the Soviet Union and the subsequent rebirth in the postsovovotic period, characterized by Datsans reconstruction (monasteries), the reactivation of the Buddhist clergy and a renewed interest in religious practice and the scholarly study, both between traditional communities and among new urban practitioners of various ethnicities. In addition, We will explore the current situation of Buddhism in the multirrigious context of the Russian Federation, where coexists with orthodox Christianity, Islam and other confessions. It is discussed how Buddhism has found official recognition as one of the "traditional religions" of the country and its role in the interreligious dialogue, spiritual education and religious diplomacy.
The conference thus offers an integral vision of Russian Buddhism as a complex phenomenon, rooted in specific traditions, But open to modern transformation dynamics and active participation in the life of the country.

Gennadi Kneper is a teacher of Contemporary History in the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). Doctor by Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), He is the author of numerous academic publications about Russian and Ukrainian history. As a member of the UAB current History Research Group and the Slavic Studies Seminar of the UPF, is dedicated to studying connections between nationalism, Populism and political culture in the Eurasian space. Among his last publications is the monograph entitled The First Populist. Bakunin and the invention of the people (Full).

THURSDAY 19 June of 2025 AT 19:30H

Free entrance