Buddhism & Posthumanism Conversation Series 2022–2023

This academic year, the Ho Centre for Buddhist Studies continued its popular conversation series on Buddhism & Posthumanism for a second year.

Mariangela Carpinteri (PhD student in Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara), “Green Buddhism: The Birth and Development of Environmental Buddhism”

In October, Mariangela Carpinteri joined us to present her research on “Green Buddhism,” the unofficial denomination of a contemporary and environmentally focused form of Buddhism that developed in the United States starting in the 1950s. The story of Green Buddhism runs parallel to the emergence of ecology and environmentalism, pacifist movements, the artistic revolution of the Beats, the hippie movement, and the analysis of the human psyche in relation to nature. In addition, Mariangela linked this movement to the emergence of a Japanese version of Green Buddhism through the creation of green burials and various forms of activism in the Pure Land schools and Shugendō. She argues that both forms of Green Buddhism indicate the adaptability of Buddhism to particular social, geographical, and ecological contexts, and that far from being a superficial adaptation of Buddhism to Western ideals, Green Buddhism is a concrete example of the evolution of Buddhism in history and, more generally, of the role of religion in the contemporary world.

Alice Millington (PhD student in Geography and Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge), “Mythical Beasts and Changing Climates: The Fulfilment of Buddhist Prophecies of Decline in Far-Eastern Nepal”

In January, Alice Millington joined us to explain how Tibetan Buddhist communities in the Eastern Himalayas explain the climate changes they have witnessed, and in particular, the role of spiritual non-humans (particularly local deities and mythical animals) as actors in meteorological events. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Nepal’s Taplejung District, Alice described how the Tibetan Buddhist community of Walung (Olangchung Gola) explains the consequences of climate change in terms of the dawning of a degenerate time (kawa nyampa), which is marked by the expulsion of magical and mythical animals such as the yeti, and the anger of the mystical snow frog, which unleashes its fury through swollen rivers and treacherous landslides. These signals not only tell stories of environmental risk, but the disenchantment of a sacred landscape.

Saskia Abrahms-Kavunenko (Research Fellow in the Center for Contemporary Buddhist Studies at the University of Copenhagen), Polyester Blessings: The Persistent Incarnation of Purity in Contemporary Mongolia

In February, Saskia Abrahms-Kavunenko joined us to examine the intersections between Buddhism, capitalism and environmentalism in Inner Asia. Observing that in the pre-socialist period (before 1921) in Mongolia prayer scarves were expensive and made of silk, Saskia argues that the proliferation of polyester prayer scarves in recent times indicates the degree to which modern rituals are being impacted by global capitalism. Since religious items today are often mass produced, cheap, and made from materials which cannot reintegrate into ecological systems, Saskia argues that their lingering presence in Inner Asian landscapes are a problematic and unintended consequence that can impact ecological systems in the area.

An Evening with Tsering Yangzom Lama

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In March, we were thrilled to host the Tibetan-Canadian author and activist Tsering Yangzom Lama. Nourished by tea and Tibetan dumplings (momo) from a restaurant in Little Tibet, a packed house enjoyed a reading, panel discussion, audience Q and A, and book signing at the campus’ Multi-Faith Centre. Tsering’s book is deeply personal, written as a reflection on the experience of Tibetans today. It was written in English to reflect the current Tibetan exile experience, mirrored by Tsering’s own lack of confidence in her Tibetan proficiency. It was also inspired by the experiences of Tibetans living in refugee camps in Nepal, or those who have fled to new lands such as Canada attempting to make a new home.

The novel largely revolves around the perspectives of three Tibetan women, born out of a desire to emphasize the oft neglected perspectives of Tibetan women, as well as the diversity of the Tibetan experience. Members of the panel were also chosen to reflect this diversity. Kalsang Yangzom interrogated the category of anglophone literature, observing that the appearance of anglophone Tibetan literature indicates the complex and multifaceted nature of Tibetan identity today. Dr. Rupaleem Bhuyan (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work) and Tsomo (Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario) shared findings from their research project into migrant communities in Toronto. For Tsomo, the experience of reading this book was deeply affecting, as she shared that she knows people in real life who are just like the characters, and that every Tibetan family has experienced the precarity, the poverty, and the personal tragedies contained in the book.

Given the sponsorship of the Department for the Study of Religion’s committee on Anti-Racism, Decolonization, and Equity, I also took the opportunity to ask Tsering to share some typical Tibetan perspectives on the academic study of Tibet. Her response was simply that Tibetan Studies is “by white people and for white people,” so ordinary Tibetans don’t pay it much attention. However, she shared that she is heartened by the growing numbers of Tibetans in graduate programs in Tibetan Studies, and that she appreciates the work done by scholars who are allies of the Tibetan people. 

U of T/McMaster University Yehan Numata Program in Buddhist Studies

This semester witnessed the return of the Yehan Numata Program in Buddhist Studies after a pandemic-related hiatus. For my part, the return of this lecture series was a valuable opportunity to network with peers from across the Buddhist Studies world, learn from their expertise, and chat in an informal and relaxed environment.

The first speaker was Uranchimeg (Orna) Tsultem (Indiana University), who presented a paper entitled “Performativity and Imagination in Mongolian Buddhist Art.” In this talk, Orna argued that certain Mongolian paintings are not subservient to texts, but themselves act as important primary sources of Buddhist practice. In doing so, they possess a performative agency that structures the participatory acts of their viewers and shapes their modes of seeing to form their sense of belonging and unity as a community.

The second guest was Mark Allon (University of Sydney), who offered a reading group titled “An Introduction to Reading Gandhari Manuscripts.” For this event, Mark shared with us some of the challenges in reading Gandhari manuscripts, as well as some of the latest technology used to scan and share manuscripts online. Of particular note to me was learning that the phrase arapacana—both the name of a form of Mañjuśrī and a phrase found in Mañjuśrī’s mantra—is actually the name (and the first letters of) the syllabary of Gandhari!

The third guest was April Hughes (Boston University), who presented a paper titled “Worldly Saviors, Terrestrial Utopias, and Imperial Authority in Medieival Chinese Buddhism.” In this talk, April examined the association between Wu Zhao of Great Zhou (Empress Wu Zetian) and Maitreya Buddha in a commentary on the Scripture of the Great Cloud (Dayun jing 大雲經, T. no. 387) presented to the throne in 690 just prior to her being declared emperor. In particular, she argued that this commentary associates Wu Zhao with this particular depiction of Maitreya, thus depicting her as both worldly savior and religious figure.

Talks by HCBS Students

This semester also witnessed a series of special talks given by HCBS students around campus.

In March, Rachelle Saruya (Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Historical Studies, University of Toronto Missisauga) presented a paper as part of the Pathbreakers: New Postdoctoral Research on South Asia at U of T series, sponsored by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy’s Asian Institute and Centre for South Asian Studies, and co-sponsored by the Asian Institute’s Southeast Asia Seminar Series. In her talk—titled “Nun-Making: Myanmar Buddhist Nuns’ Educational Practices and Rituals in Training”—Rachelle discussed her research on Myanmar Buddhist nuns’ formal and informal education, based on her ethnographic research at one nunnery in Sagaing, Myanmar. In particular, her research touches on themes of secular vs. monastic education, child nuns vs. older ones, disability and minority status, reformed nunneries vs. old institutions, and lineages, among other matters.

Also in March, Anthony Scott (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Political Science) also presented a paper as part of the Pathbreakers: New Postdoctoral Research on South Asia at U of T series, sponsored by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy’s Asian Institute and Centre for South Asian Studies, and co-sponsored by the Asian Institute’s Southeast Asia Seminar Series. In his talk—titled “Exposing Enlightenment: The ‘Living Arahant’ in Photography and Print in Post-colonial Burma”—Tony focused on the “living arahants” of early twentieth-century Burma, examining how the narratives surrounding this supposedly enlightened class were negotiated and contested in the public sphere through the mediums of photography and print. By exploring the figure of the Mingun Jetavana Sayadaw (1868-1955), a Burmese scholar-monk and pioneer of insight, or vipassanā meditation, he argued that the application of these categories is not just a religious act, but profoundly political—determining who wields the power of definition itself.  

Lastly, in April, Amber Moore (Doctoral Candidate) presented as part of the New College Senior Doctoral Fellow Speakers Series. In her talk—titled “Between Literary Worlds: Translation as commentary in the study of Newar Buddhist narratives”—Amber discussed her recent research into the origin story of the Buddhist Goddess Vajrayoginī found in the Maniśailamahāvadāna, a compilation of various narratives, māhātmyas and avadānas now only found in a few remaining manuscripts in Nepal.

Sarah Richardson’s Tibetan Murals exhibitions

This winter, Dr. Sarah Richardson hosted several groups for viewings of Thomas Laird’s special published collection of Tibetan murals. This is a special large format book that contains high resolution (and even some true to scale) reproduction photographs of historic Tibetan mural paintings drawn from temples in Tibet, including some of Tibet’s most famous art historical temple sites like the 12th century temple of Drathang, the 14th century temple of Shalu, the 15th century Gyantse Kumbum, and the 17th century Potala. Since these places are often inaccessible to visitors, and in particular, to Tibetans outside of Tibet, this book offers a rare and important point of access to view these incredibly beautiful historic remains. Dr. Richardson is interested in facilitating more learning opportunities for students of Tibetan language, history and religion, focused on this book.

Graduating Students!

Last but not least, we would like to acknowledge and congratulate our graduate students who have completed degrees this year.

Jade Hui: Under the supervision of Amanda Goodman, Jade completed their Master of Arts degree this year. Their thesis is entitled “How Might the Buddha and Buddhists Guide a Psychotic Queer?”

Annie Heckman: Under the co-supervision of Amanda Goodman and Shayne Clarke, Annie Heckman completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree this year. Pamela Klassen also served on her committee. Her dissertation is entitled “Reassembling Discipline: Bu ston Rin chen grub’s Collection of Incidents Involving Nuns from the Vinaya (’Dul ba dge slong ma’i gleng ’bum).

Rachelle Saruya: Under the supervision of Christoph Emmrich, Rachelle Saruya completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree this year. Also on her committee were Hiroko Kawanami and Valentina Napolitano. Her dissertation is entitled “Towards the Noble Royal Flower: Educational Practices and Rituals in Training.”

Tony Scott: Under the supervision of Christoph Emmrich, Tony Scott completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree this year. Also on his committee were Srilata Raman and Alicia Turner. His dissertation is entitled “The Politics of Commentary: The Mingun Jetavana Sayadaw’s Milindapañhā-aṭṭhakathā in Mid-twentieth-century Burma.”

Khenpo Kunga Sherab: Under the supervision of Frances Garrett, Kunga Sherab completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree this year. Also on his committee were Amanda Goodman and Christoph Emmrich. His dissertation is entitled “Incarnation on the Roof of the World: A History of Practices to Identify Trülku (sprul sku) in Tibetan Buddhism.”

Congratulations to all graduates and their faculty supervisors and committee members. Our best wishes for your future success! Emaho!