Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs in America: A Short History (Religion in American Life)

Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs in America explores the challenges that Asian immigrants face when their religion--and consequently culture--is "remade in the U.S.A." Peppered with stories of individual people and how they actually live their religion, this informative book gives an overview of each religion's beliefs, a short history of immigration--and discrimination--for each group, and how immigrants have adapted their religious beliefs since they arrived. Along the way, the roles of men and women, views toward dating and marriage, the relationship to the homeland, the "brain drain" from Asia of scientists, engineers, physicians, and other professionals, and American offshoots of Asian religions, such as the Hare Krishnas and Transcendental Meditation (TM), are discussed. CONTENTS......Page 8 INTRODUCTION......Page 10 CHAPTER ONE: Buddhism Comes to America......Page 14 CHAPTER TWO: Buddhists Adapt and Explore......Page 30 CHAPTER THREE: Buddhism’s Growth and Popularity......Page 42 CHAPTER FOUR: Hindus Come to America......Page 56 CHAPTER FIVE: Hindus at Home......Page 75 CHAPTER SIX: Hindu Temples......Page 92 CHAPTER SEVEN: The Sikh Identity......Page 109 CHAPTER EIGHT: Sikhs Come to America......Page 121 CHAPTER NINE: American Sikhism Evolves......Page 134 CHRONOLOGY......Page 147 FURTHER READING......Page 150 B......Page 155 C......Page 156 H......Page 157 K......Page 158 P......Page 159 T......Page 160 Z......Page 161 Introduction. 1. Buddhism Comes to America. 2. Buddhists Adapt and Explore. 3. Buddhism's Growth and Popularity. 4. Hindus Come to America. 5. Hindus at Home. 6. Hindu Temples. 7. The Sikh Identity. 8. Sikhs Come to America. 9. American Sikhism Evolves. Chronology. Further Reading. Index. Presents the basic tenets of these three Asian religions and discusses the religious history and experience of their practitioners after immigration to the United States.