Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong
HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies 20th Anniversary Series
Public Lecture
Buddhist Studies in Russia
Academic Traditions and New Research
Speaker: Prof. Alexey Maslov
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm | 19 Apr 2023 (Wed)
Venue: CBC, LG1/F, Chow Yei Ching Building, HKU
Conducted in English | All are welcome | Free admission
Enquiry hkucbs@hku.hk
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Organized by
HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies
Asian Religious Connections Research Cluster(ASIAR), Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, HKU
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Sponsored by
Tung Lin Kok Yuen
About the speaker
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.