Buddhism, Globalisation, and Cultural Diversity

Michelle Hannah

Buddhists globally are being presented with a changing social religious terrain, largely resulting from globalization, modernity and interaction between international Buddhist communities. In particular, discussion and debate about gender equality, full ordination and geshema degrees have come about largely through the interaction between Tibetan Buddhists and the West and, in turn, Western feminisms. However, differing views about gender dynamics, interpretations of gender politics and cultural/social priorities, coupled with nationalism(s), sectarianism and perceptions of race present challenges within local and global Buddhist communities. Differences of cultural practices, norms, etiquette, expectations and language can result in miscommunications and/or schisms in the international community. My paper primarily draws on my field research in a Tibetan/Himalayan nun’s community in north India, a Korean nuns’ community in South Korea, and an Australian Tibetan Buddhist community in Melbourne. I explore the challenges of cultural/social change and multiculturalism within the international Buddhist community, particularly focussing issues of gender, feminisms, full ordination and the geshema degree.