"The Buddhist Experience in America" explores how the world's
fourth-largest religion came to America and flourished here.
Although the percentage of Buddhists in America has always been,
and will probably remain, low, Buddhism has had a greater impact on
culture than its small numbers might indicate. Concepts such as
Nirvana and practices such as meditation have entered the
mainstream of American life. Zen has turned into a commonplace
adjective, and everybody knows who the Dalai Lama is. But Buddhism
is a much more complex and powerful phenomenon than is indicated a
catchy phrase, a political cause, or devotion to a charismatic
personality. This book provides an accessible introduction to the
religion, as well as to how Buddhists follow their beliefs in the
United States.
Just as the teachings of Jesus gave birth to Orthodoxy,
Catholicism, and hundreds of different Protestant sects, the
teachings of the historical Buddha developed into many different
traditions. "The Buddhist Experience in America" examines how these
traditions are practiced: Theravada Buddhism, oldest of Buddhist
sects, was the last to have a substantial presence in this country;
the Mahayana tradition, with particular attention to Pure Land
Buddhism, the Buddhism of most Japanese- and Chinese-Americans; the
special case of Zen Buddhism, which, while a distinctly minority
religion is Japan, has been historically the greatest Buddhist
influence in America; and Vajrayana, or Tibetan Buddhism, currently
the fastest growing school of Buddhism in America. The book
includes a discussion of the historical Buddha and an examination
of how contemporary Buddhism has responded to current issues and
concerns. Appendices include a glossary, a who's who of Buddhism, a
timeline, and a list of resources for further information.
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