Nalika Gajaweera

Nalika Gajaweera

Nalika Gajaweera is a research anthropologist at the University of Southern California, specializing in the intersections of Buddhism, race, ethno-nationalism, and gender. She is the coordinator of “Transforming the American Sangha”, a Kataly Foundation – sponsored project that explores race, racism, and diversity in North American Insight centers, with the goal of developing resources for other communities wishing to be more inclusive.

Recent Articles

Reclaiming Our So-Called “Cultural Baggage”

Asian American Buddhist communities have for years been dismissed by “convert” Buddhists for carrying “cultural baggage.” Nalika Gajaweera says the response should not be to let it go but to claim it as a mark of cultural responsibility.