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Spiritual Journeys, Everyday lives. Paths of Western Practitioners of Buddhism in the Consumer Society
Vimr, Martin ; Cirklová, Jitka (advisor) ; Wladyniak, Ludmila Maria (referee)
This thesis explores everyday lives of Western Buddhists in consumer society via qualitative (auto)ethnographic methods. The fundamental questions regard ways in which Buddhist values and practices interact with consumerism and materialism, what are the challenges Buddhists face in daily lives and how do they synthesise or balance the different views and values of Buddhism and Western society. Buddhists often have difficulty accepting some cultural aspects of Buddhist teachings. They do not feel stigmatized by society, but can nevertheless feel out of place among non-Buddhists due to differences in values. They can face social isolation if they do not have regular contacts with other adherents and Buddhist teachers. On the other hand, Buddhists report more contentment in ordinary life than before conversion and increased empathy, leading to better relationships. These positive changes are attributed to regular meditation practice, that takes up a considerable amount of their free time. Buddhists often change lifestyles and careers to be more in line with Buddhist values. Western Buddhist overall regard practicing Buddhism in consumer society as challenging, but consider the challenge worthwhile.
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The boundaries of ecotourism and their crossing on the community in Chambok
Kořánová, Anna ; Kuřík, Bohuslav (advisor) ; Tenzin, Eva (referee)
My thesis focuses on the problems of ecotourism, or more precisely its borders from an anthropological perspective, using example of a typical Cambodian community named Chambok. Based on five months of research, together with ethnographic methods of research I found out that boundaries of ecotourism are complex, multi-layered, problematic and negotiated and also that there are so called "grey zones" encompassing them. It is the conceptualization of these zones and boundaries, which is my contribution to current anthropological debate about ecotourism, which has been largely left out until now.
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Etnography of Vegan Restaurant
Mikovcová, Markéta ; Halbich, Marek (advisor) ; Vandrovcová, Tereza (referee)
The aim of the thesis is to understand elements and processes, that are constituting a specific vegan Restaurant in Prague. The method used is ethnography, particularly participatory observation completed with interviews with the owner and customers. The owner as well as the Restaurant itself and as well as every individual are hybrids created by biological, spiritual, cultural, technical and many other elements. Based on the observation I have divided these elements into four big groups: philosophical, culinary, material and human. These groups are mixing, balancing and contrasting one another and together creating the Restaurant aesthetics. In each of the chapters I show different realities and I explain the Restaurant from different views according to particular elements. By uncovering their context, the relation network which creates the Restaurant is explained. Key words: ethnography, restaurant, vegan, vegetarian, hybrid
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The Influence of On-line Identity from the World of Damokles on Everydayness
Beseda, Jan ; Nešpor, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Janeček, Petr (referee) ; Bužeková, Tatiana (referee)
The Influence of On-line Identity from the World of Damokles on Everydayness Abstract The doctoral thesis focuses on on-line world Damokles and its users. It investigates how their on-line identity influences their everyday off-line life. It also focuses on the way the social ties and networks are created among its users and how on-line community is constructed. I especially focus on the mutual impact of on-line and off-line activities of Damokles users. I based the research on qualitative methodology, especially engaged observation of members of Damokles community in the on-line realm as well as during their off-line activities; informal, semi-structured dialogues with the members of the community; and analysis and interpretation of texts from the world Damokles and about the world Damokles. I classify my work under the new anthropological sub- discipline, cyberanthropology, which studied humans and changes of human existence in the context of modern computer information and communication technologies (Soukup 2009, 138). I also deal with the specifics of this anthropological sub- discipline and issues connected with research in the on-line realm. Key words: cyberanthropology, on-line worlds, everydayness, on- line community, ethnography, time, identity
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How gender is being born in a diagnostic institute
Benešová, Jana ; Abu Ghosh, Yasar (advisor) ; Bittnerová, Dana (referee) ; Pelcová, Naděžda (referee)
The dissertation completes research that began in late 2007. It presents research findings concerning ways and methods of (re) construction of gender identities of Czech children placed in facilities for institutional and protective education. Based on ethnographic research in Diagnostic institute Ark there are examined practices and techniques shaping gender roles and contents, which are rooted in the so-called helping professions discourses. Psychology, special education, social work, pedagogy, education and health education are specializations that converge are under the roof of the institutes and create a discursive field for the exercise of power-colored procedures disciplining the children who are placed (cf. Laan, 1998). These procedures are directly linked to the concepts of socially desirable sex-gender order. The research objective was to capture the processes which have been neglected by the Czech professional community so far and which may become potential disciplination instruments in the hands of professionals in a wide range of helping professions, including social and special pedagogy.
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