Sergei Borozdin 1; 1 Institute for the Ulus of Jochi Studies , Kazakhstan
Discussion
It is a result of research that embraced converts to Buddhism and their communal life. The author arranged in-depth interviews with formal and informal Buddhist community leaders who had also converted to Buddhism. The aim was to research tendencies within the communities originating from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Buddhists in exile were also included in the research. Our attention was focused on several Buddhist schools and sects presented in all the countries. Regarding the Russia's war against Ukraine we planned to analyze how it affected the converts in those three countries and relations between the national communities. Observing formation of a significant Russian speaking Soto Zen community in Georgia since 2022 we also tried to figure out what motivated converts from the same communities to leave their country or to stay there despite the situation. In the process of initial data collection we discovered that the most of the monks and informal community leaders stayed in their countries of residence but the motivation to do that and the circumstances of decision making were variable from one case to another. We also witnessed new forms of communal activities developed as result of the lasting war. There was a transformation leading to segmentation of the communities as the expats and refugees founded new ones in the areas where they moved because of the war. That also caused a situation when the expats joined Buddhist communities in their new countries affecting the communities in different aspects. To research changes and challenges experienced by the community members before and and during the war we also analyzed information published in corresponding Buddhist websites, groups, forums and chats.
