On the relevance of combining the «external» and «internal» approaches to the study of Buddhism

The article considers the methodological principles of the study of Buddhism, involving a combination of internal and external approaches in the study of the theory and practice of Buddhism. The peculiarities of the development of Buddhist studies in Buryatia are analyzed. It is emphasized that the reports of the conference «Buddhism in a changing world», held in May 2014, reflected the idea of combining the «external» and «internal» approaches. The analysis of the key statements is made in the context of the considered methodological principles.