The Faces of Buddhism in America

Book Overview

Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in the United States, with adherents estimated in the several millions. But what exactly defines a "Buddhist"? This has been a much-debated question in recent years, particularly in regard to the religion's bifurcation into two camps: the so-called "imported" or ethnic Buddhism of Asian immigrants and the "convert" Buddhism of a mostly middle-class, liberal, intellectual elite. In this timely collection Charles S. Prebish and Kenneth K. Tanaka bring together some of the leading voices in Buddhist studies to examine the debates surrounding contemporary Buddhism's many faces.

The contributors investigate newly Americanized Asian traditions such as Tibetan, Zen, Nichiren, Jodo Shinshu, and Theravada Buddhism and the changes they undergo to meet the expectations of a Western culture desperate for spiritual guidance. Race, feminism, homosexuality, psychology, environmentalism, and notions of authority are some of the issues confronting Buddhism for the first time in its three-thousand-year history and are powerfully addressed here.

In recent years American Buddhism has been featured as a major story on ABC television news, National Public Radio, and in other national media. A strong new Buddhist journalism is emerging in the United States, and American Buddhism has made its way onto the Internet. The faces of Buddhism in America are diverse, active, and growing, and this book will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding this vital religious movement.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520204603
• ISBN13: 9780520204607
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

The book for understanding American Buddhism in 1999

The book is offers an overview of the major type of Buddhism available in the US. It charts the conflicts, changes and continuity of American Buddhism looking at a major world religion meeting the late 20th century's dominate power.IMHO the best essays are "Who is a Buddhist" where the author explains "Elite, Ethnic and Evangelical" Buddhism. Rita Gross "Helping the Iron Lady Fly" she lays out her opinion on the state of current sexual morality and its intersection with the Mentor-Disciple relationship.I had hoped to read an essay from someone related to the Interracial Buddhist Council, with regard to Elite Buddhism relationship to ethnic minorities.