The Two Cases of Consolidation of Buddhist Internet Communities: Shifting Religious Authority Online
The Two Cases of Consolidation of Buddhist Internet Communities: Shifting Religious Authority Online
Author(s): Bato Dondukov, Oyuna DORZHIGUSHAEVA, Galina DondukovaSubject(s): Social Sciences, Theology and Religion
Published by: Asociaţiunea Transilvană pentru Literatura Română şi Cultura Poporului Român - ASTRA
Keywords: Buddhist communities of Russia; crowdsourcing; electronic petitions; consolidation of Buddhists; authority; religious identity;
Summary/Abstract: The article considers two problem-solving cases of the Buddhism of Russia:the deportation of the Buddhist teacher Shivalkha Rinpoche and the appearance of so-calledBuddha bars. In order to struggle against these cases some Buddhists have addressed to the Internetcrowdsourcing opportunities, such as e-petitioning. The usage of Internet services by the Buddhistsfor solving their problems has become an unprecedented event, and can be considered as anexceptional case of consolidation of various Buddhist communities of Russia around commonproblems. But what is more, the usage of e-petitions by both traditional and non-traditionalBuddhists of Russia shows shifting of religious authorities online. The article considers the two casesfrom the point of view of different Buddhist communities, and also the obstacles for consolidationbased on religious identity issues.
Journal: Astra Salvensis - revista de istorie si cultura
- Issue Year: VI/2018
- Issue No: Special
- Page Range: 951-962
- Page Count: 12
- Language: English