In her new work, Alison Melnick Dyer, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, explores the life and teachings of the Tibetan Buddhist nun, Mingyur Peldrön (1699–1769) and her role in reconstructing her religious community, despite the significant adversity she faced in a society dominated by men. Born to a powerful family, she received an unusually extensive education at Mindröling Monastery. She utilized her privilege to contribute to promote education for Tibetan Buddhist women, despite exile during a civil war and other obstacles presented by her gender. Alison employs literary and historical analysis, centered on a hagiography written by the nun’s disciple Gyurmé Ösel, to consider how privilege influences individual authority, how authoritative Buddhist women have negotiated their position in gendered contexts, and how the lives of historical Buddhist women are (and are not) memorialized by their communities.
“Dyer’s book is a meticulous analysis of the namthar of an important woman and female saint of the eighteenth century. . . [A] must-read for Tibetologists and historians of religion with an interest in gender. Scholars of Tibetan studies having other areas of specialization should read it as well, for it balances out the image of Tibetan Buddhism as a predominantly male-dominated and male-centered religion. The book is also written in a way that is comprehensible to students and scholars from other fields” – H-Net Reviews
James Fisher Prize: Award for best first book on the Himalayas, 2023. Presented by the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies.
“Rosanna Ferro’s extensive background in student affairs, her commitment to fostering inclusive communities, and her passion for higher education will be incredible assets as we continue to strengthen the student experience at Bates,” said Bates President Garry W. Jenkins. Ferro’s appointment is effective Dec. 2, 2024.
In an email to the campus community, President Garry W. Jenkins has shared the news of the passing of Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of…
Media coverage of Bates faculty insights, expertise, and achievements ranges from the presidential election to personal economics, news about a top literary award — and even, a major fish tale.
Lainsbury, whose appointment is effective Oct. 14, 2024, comes to Bates from Earlham College, where she has served as vice president for marketing and communications since 2021.
The run-up to the presidential election is going to be a “challenging time,” said President Jenkins. “But I believe in this community. I believe in each of you and in your commitment to openness, to engagement, to active listening, and to respect for those around you. This is the Bates I know and love.”
While Anthony speaks on the topic of craft constantly in her creative writing courses at Bates, she rarely writes about it, until now.
History professor Joe Hall uses his faculty expertise to help deepen the historical record about how two landmarks in Brunswick, Maine, came to be.
President Garry W. Jenkins has shared the news of the passing of Associate Professor of Africana Sue E. Houchins, a member of the Bates faculty since 2003, on Aug. 18, 2024.
New research from Bates reveals that daily exposure to triphenyl phosphate, a chemical used in many fire retardants as well as nail polish, harms developing zebrafish and, perhaps, humans.