The faces of Buddhism in America

Bibliographic Information

The faces of Buddhism in America

edited by Charles S. Prebish and Kenneth K. Tanaka

University of California Press, c1998

  • : pbk

Available at  / 22 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 343-347) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

ISBN 9780520204607

Description

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.
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780520213012

Description

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.

Table of Contents

In Memoriam: Reverend Dr. Yehan Numata (1897-1994) Introduction Charles S. Prebish Part One: American Buddhist Traditions in Transition 1. Chinese Buddhism in America: Identity and Practice Stuart Chandler 2. Shin Buddhism in America: A Social Perspective Alfred Bloom 3* Japanese Zen in America: Americanizing the Face in the Mirror G. Victor Sagen Hori 4* Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai in America: The Pioneer Spirit Jane Hurst 5* Tibetan Buddhism in America: The Development of American Vajrayana Amy Lavine 6. Korean Buddhism in America: A New Style of Zen Mu Soeng 7* Vietnamese Buddhism in North America: Tradition and Acculturation Cuong Tu Nguyen and A. W. Barber 8. Theravada Buddhism in America: Prospects for the Sangha Paul David Numrich g. Insight Meditation in the United States: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Gil Fronsdal Part Two: Issues in American Buddhism 10. Who Is a Buddhist? Charting the Landscape of Buddhist America Jan Nattier 11. Divided Dharma: White Buddhists, Ethnic Buddhists, and Racism Rick Fields 12. Americanizing the Buddha: Paul Carus and the Transformation of Asian Thought Martin J Verhoeven 13. Buddhist and Western Psychotherapies: An Asian American Perspective Ryolmamura 14. Helping the Iron Bird Fly: Western Buddhist Women and Issues of Authority in the Late 1ggos Rita M. Gross 15. Coming Out in the Sangha: Queer Community in American Buddhism Roger Corless 16. Responding to the Cries of the World: Socially Engaged Buddhism in North America Donald Rothberg Epilogue: The Colors and Contours of American Buddhism Kenneth K. Tanaka Notes Selected Bibliography List of Illustrations Contributors Index

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Details

  • NCID
    BA39369104
  • ISBN
    • 0520204603
    • 0520213017
  • LCCN
    97038769
  • Country Code
    us
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Berkeley
  • Pages/Volumes
    viii, 370 p.
  • Size
    23 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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