Russia and the Buddhist world through the eyes of the youth in Tuva, Buryatia and Kalmykia: A sociological survey and its outcomes

Abstract

The article presents the outcomes of a sociological study held in September and October 2019, with 709 students of three universities in Tuva, Buryatia and Kalmykia as its respondents. The youth of the three regions of Russia where Buddhism is a prevailing religion was asked questions on their attitudes to religion, and Buddhism in particular. Their responses were collated with their own mix of identities as Russian citizens of a certain ethnic background and religious preferences. Seeing religiosity primarily as following a set of spiritual and moral principles, the youth focuses on values and regulations of religious life of an individual and its connection to the spirituality of society in general. Most respondents see Russia as a Eurasian state uniting both European and Asian peoples and cultures. On the whole, their attitude to Buddhism is positive, but few see this religion as an integral part of Russia’s culture, and there are also disagreements on what “Russian Buddhism” may mean. While respondents are certain that the region they live and study in can be described as Buddhist, they are far from sure when it comes to Russia’s other territories. It has become evident that the youth has only a superficial knowledge of history of religions, including the history of Buddhism. The study has shown that the high degree of religious self-identification among youth is rather declarative and requires further in-depth studies.