New Works in Modern Indian Buddhisms

Modern Indian Buddhisms have been strangely sidelined or even ignored in the field of Buddhist Studies, despite their potential for productively reshaping the discipline. Scholars of Buddhism in South Asia typically focus on premodern texts and philosophies, with the still-prevalent idea that the living tradition "all but disappeared" in the 13th century. However, cutting-edge publications are transforming our understanding by shedding new light on the multifacetedness of modern Buddhisms in India, and their transregional connections. Authors from across disciplines will share key findings from their publications and draw out future lines of inquiry. Themes explored will include unarchived bahujan, migrant and regional histories, diverse anti-caste formations, the built environment and aesthetic battlegrounds, gendered religious labor, shifting political alliances, and the roles of monasticism and laïcized meditation. Issues of caste and castelessness are entangled in all of the above, bringing much needed sensitivity to the study of Buddhism in South Asia.