Socially engaged Buddhism: cattle-breeding initiative of the Buryat Buddhist sangha and its ecological significance in the Baikal region, Russia

Abstract

The article focuses on the environmental consequences of abandoning rural life, increasing urbanization and the problem of deforestation in the Baikal region, Russia. Specifically, it analyzes a recently proposed “Social Flock” project of the Buryat Buddhist community for the revival of nomadic cattle breeding in the districts of Buryatia, and its potential impact on the environment. We argue that taking into consideration the global value of the Lake Baikal, the “Social Flock” project can not only satisfy the practical needs of people and reduce the social aspects of environmental problems in Buryatia, but also potentially contribute to dealing with environmental problems of global importance.