Choyin Rangdrol Attends International Conference on 

"Broadening The Mindscape Of Masculinity"

 Tallin, Estonia - Europe                                                                                                                                      The country of Estonia nestles the western border of Russia. Its small provincial setting was host to an international confernce whose keynote speakers included researchers, scholars and media from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Russia, England, Canada, and the United States of America. Choyin's purpose in attending the conference was to provide support for one of his American students who served as the Keynote Speaker and panel discussion member representing Third Wave Feminism's work in the field of evolving masculinity. Choyin gave brief commentary during the open panel discussion that emphasized the need for deeper communication between genders in martial relations. The combined keynote speech and subsequent comments during the panel created a stunning presentation that sent the conference into a whir of discussion that was later featured in news media in Scandinavia and  Russia.

The conference was backdropped by the beautiful ambiance of a winter fairytale city, Tallinn, whose character has been preserved since medieval times. The temperature hovered at a cool freezing point most days. The streets are all cobblestone worn from many years of use. Walking along the narrow streets was brisk but cautious due to the thin layer of ice on the walkways. The country of Estonia achieved its independence as a result of the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1991. Before independence the times in Estonia were lean. Some reports note that there was little food and items such as toilet paper and toothpaste were difficult if not impossible to find.  Many years of Russian occupation seemed to take a toll on the openness of the locals. They were friendly upon approach and conversant in appropriate moments of discussion regarding commerce, service and accommodations, yet there was a quietude in general. Street corner discussions and boisterous public exchanges were not a part of this recovering community. Instead, there was a silence beginning and ending each personal interaction. The streets were usually quiet enough to hear footsteps of passers by. Eye contact was minimal with some exception between tourists as they quietly observed one another in public spaces.  

In addition to lacking the evidence of progress America has made in gender relations, there was also a noticeable lack of diversity in Tallinn. In fact, Choyin and his student were the only people of color seen during their 7 day stay. This was an indicator of the city's lack of racial diversity, as well as testimony to the Estonian government's openness to address the issue by inviting people of color to talk about sensitive gender issues. Choyin and his student respected the gallant effort on their part to introduce people of color in leadership positions that could affect not only their citizenry but men and women throughout Scandinavia and Russia as well. In some way, the invitation expressed an openness to Rainbowdharma that exceeds that of the diverse Buddhist community in the San Francisco Bay Area. The humanness of it all was as remarkable as it was memorable. We wish the people of Scandinavia and Russia the very best, and especially thank the Estonian government for their gracious hospitality.

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