A Symbolic Person of Buddhist Revival in Buryatia

Abstract

This paper deals with the personality of Hambo Lama Ayusheev—head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia. The author argues that his influence over the public sphere goes far beyond the limits of religion: it reflects and defines the state of Buryat public thought. He shows all-round devotion and loyalty to the Russian authorities, thus receiving support and appreciation from them. He tries his best to maintain Buryat ethnicity through revival of traditional economy and culture and simultaneously he emphasises the sub-ethnic prejudices; thus the authority of Hambo Lama legitimises and strengthens opposition between clan and territorial groups that are anyway tense enough.