Cambodian Buddhism in the United States

__The first comprehensive anthropological description of the Khmer Buddhism practiced by Cambodian refugees in the United States over the past four decades.__ Cambodian Buddhism in the United States is the first comprehensive anthropological study of Khmer Buddhism as practiced by Khmer refugees in the United States. Based on research conducted at Khmer temples and sites throughout the country over a period of three and a half decades, Carol A. Mortland uses participant observation, open-ended interviews, life histories, and dialogues with Khmer monks and laypeople to explore the everyday practice of Khmer religion, including spirit beliefs and healing rituals. This ethnography is enriched and supplemented by the use of historical accounts, reports, memoirs, unpublished life histories, and family memorabilia painstakingly preserved by refugees. Mortland also traces the changes that Cambodians have made to religion as they struggle with the challenges of living in a new country, learning English, and supporting themselves. The beliefs and practices of Khmer Muslims and Khmer Christians in the United States are also reviewed. Book jacket Influences on Temple Participation -- Pilgrimages -- Changing Composition of Congregations -- Chapter 11 Temple Contributions -- Education -- Counseling -- Social Services -- Cultural Contributions -- Health Care -- Chapter 12 Temple Difficulties -- American Neighbors -- Temple Control and Ownership -- Taking Conflicts to Court -- Lowell, Massachusetts -- Oakland, California -- Long Beach, California -- Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks -- Khmer Krom Buddhists -- Chapter 13 Additional Difficulties -- Reactions to Conflict -- Areas of Conflict -- Affiliations with the Homeland -- Temple Purpose -- Folk Rituals -- Monastic Discipline -- Relationship between Monks and Laity -- Increased Resources -- Disposition of Maha Ghosananda's Body -- Chapter 14 Epilogue -- New Movements -- Tapas' -- Lay Teacher Classes -- Buddha Relics -- The Future -- Appendix Khmer Buddhist Temples in the United States -- Glossary -- Bibliography -- Index