Papers by Cristina Sajovich
This paper will trace the destabilization of traditional Buddhism through interaction with modern... more This paper will trace the destabilization of traditional Buddhism through interaction with modern social, political and environmental problems and concerns prompted by colonialism, postcolonialism, and modernity --vis a vis an examination of the guiding philosophy of Empower Shakti International (ESI), a Colorado based international non-profit that, according to its mission statement, "partners with women's movements to facilitate global change through mindfulness-based programs." In envisioning ESI as an engaged Buddhist movement, this paper outlines the traditional Buddhist roots of the organization's philosophical values, namely through discussing mindfulness (smṛti) and impermanence (anitya) as they relate to ESI's mission statement and method of implementing mindfulness-based programs. Employing David McMahan's observations of traditional Buddhism's syncretism with the West --resulting in a deinstitutionalized, de-traditionalized and psychologized transnational Buddhist Modernism -this paper attempts to deconstruct the influences, soteriology and evolution of ESI, while illuminating and positioning its intentional use of secular rhetoric within the sphere of Engaged Buddhism and highlighting the organization's clear objective of global change. The intention of this paper is neither to assert that there was one 'traditional' form of Buddhism that has now been corrupted by Buddhist Modernism, nor to re-embark on an Orientalist quest for origins, by seeking the original formation of Buddhism through textual doctrine. Rather, this paper presents an examination of ESI's current practices and philosophy in conversation with the canon of textual Buddhism and engaged Buddhism as a modern Buddhist movement, in order to illuminate ESI's self-identity-making as an organization, aid its continued growth, and assist in its ongoing dialogue with other contemporary activist movements, with which ESI's values and goals are aligned.
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Papers by Cristina Sajovich