HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies 20th Anniversary Series
Public Lecture
Buddhist Studies in Russia
Academic Traditions and New Research
| Dummy | Dummy |
|---|---|
| Speaker: | Prof. Alexey Maslov |
| Time: | 6:30-8:30 pm | 19 Apr 2023 (Wed) |
| Venue: | CBC, LG1/F, Chow Yei Ching Building, HKU |
| Language: | English |
| Type: | All are welcome | Free admission |
| Organized by: | HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies |
| Co-Organized by: | ASIAR Research Cluster, HKIHSS, under the CRF Project “Infrastructures of Faith: Religious Mobilities on the Belt and Road [BRINFAITH]” (RGC CRF HKU C7052-18G) |
| Sponsored by: | Tung Lin Kok Yuen |
| Enquiry: | hkucbs@hku.hk |
About The Speaker:
Prof. Alexey Maslov
Alexey Maslov is a professor and the Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies of the Moscow State University, as well as the President of the Foundation for promoting Buddhist Education and Research. He is a renowned scholar in Asian and Chinese studies in Russia, a governmental expert in East Asian relations, a visiting professor of several European and Chinese Universities, and he has published more than 20 books, including translations of Buddhist scriptures.
Lecture Abstract:
We will look at the primary Buddhist studies conducted in Russia in various periods. Since the 20-30s of the 19th century, Buddhist studies in Russia have been marked by a fascination with the philosophical, moral, aesthetic and cultural elements of Buddhism. Various studies were based on translations of scarce texts from the Tibetan and Mongolian languages. Russia’s vigorous involvement in Asia, particularly in China and Mongolia, caused the formation of many Buddhist libraries in Russia and the establishment of this generation of academics making up a one-of-a-kind Russian school of Buddhology, including academicians Vasily Vasiliev, Ivan Minaev, Sergey Oldenburg, Fedor Shcherbatskoy. Nevertheless, in the 1930s of the 20th century many academic institutions were shut down and several top Buddhist scholars were arrested. Modern times are defined by research within the original Buddhist communities of Russia – Kalmyks, Buryats and Tuvans. Though there is some conflict between how academic and religious groups research are approached to the Buddhist studies, they are still striving for harmony.