North American Buddhists in Social Context (Religion and the Social Order)

This volume marks an important milestone in the growing literature on North American Buddhists--the first multi-author collection of social scientific scholarship on the topic. Chapters examine the current state of research and key aspects of Buddhist life and experience in social context, including group identity and status, religious practices, organizational structures, generational dynamics, relations with non-Buddhist groups and the larger society, and migratory and adaptive processes. Case studies feature Southeast Asian, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, meditation-oriented, and socially engaged Buddhists. For social scientists, this volume provides a convenient overview of scholarship heretofore available only piecemeal. All readers will discover how social scientific perspectives and approaches helpfully inform the study of North American Buddhists. This Volume Marks A Milestone In The Growing Literature On North American Buddhists - The First Multi-author Collection Of Social Scientific Scholarship On The Topic. Chapters Examine The Current State Of Research And Key Aspects Of Buddhist Life And Experience In Social Context, Including Group Identity And Status, Religious Practices, Organizational Structures, Generational Dynamics, Relations With Non-buddhist Groups And The Larger Society, And Migratory And Adaptive Processes. Case Studies Feature Southeast Asian, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, Meditation-oriented, And Socially Engaged Buddhists. For Social Scientists, This Volume Provides A Convenient Overview Of Scholarship Heretofore Available Only Piecemeal.--book Cover. North American Buddhists : A Field Of Study? / Paul David Numrich -- Themes And Issues In The Study Of North American Buddhists And Buddhism / Janet Mclellan -- Temple And Society In The New World : Theravada Buddhism And Social Order In North America / Carl L. Bankston Iii And Danielle Antoinette Hidalgo -- The Buddhist Mission Of North America, 1898-1942 : Religion And Its Social Functions In An Ethnic Community / Arthur Nishimura -- Japanese American Religiosity : A Contemporary Perspective / Tetsuden Kashima -- True Buddhism Is Not Chinese: Taiwanese Immigrants Defining Buddhist Identity In The United States / Carolyn Chen -- A Religious Minority Within An Ethnic Minority : Korean American Buddhists / Karen Chai Kim -- The Emergence Of A New Buddhism : Continuity And Change / James William Coleman -- Soka Gakkai : Engaged Buddhism In North America / Constance Lynn Geekie. Edited By Paul David Numrich. Includes Bibliographical References. Frontmatter Preface: On the Being of Not Being (William H. Swatos, Jr., page vii) 1. North American Buddhists: A Field of Study? (Paul David Numrich, page 1) 2. Themes and Issues in the Study of North American Buddhists and Buddhism (Janet McLellan, page 19) 3. Temple and Society in the New World: Theravada Buddhism and Social Order in North America (Carl L. Bankston III and Danielle Antoinette Hidalgo, page 51) 4. The Buddhist Mission of North America 1898-1942: Religion and Its Social Functions in an Ethnic Community (Arthur Nishimura, page 87) 5. Japanese American Religiosity: A Contemporary Perspective (Tetsuden Kashima, page 107) 6. "True Buddhism is Not Chinese": Taiwanese Immigrants Defining Buddhist Identity in the United States (Carolyn Chen, page 145) 7. A Religious Minority within an Ethnic Minority: Korean American Buddhists (Karen Chai Kim, page 163) 8. The Emergence of a New Buddhism: Continuity and Change (James William Coleman, page 185) 9. Soka Gakkai: Engaged Buddhism in North America (Constance Lynn Geekie, page 203) Afterword: Modernization, Globalization, and Buddhism (Joseph B. Tamney, page 225) Contributors (page 243) This volume marks an important milestone in the growing literature on North American Buddhists - the first multi-author collection of social scientific scholarship on the topic. Chapters examine the current state of research and key aspects of Buddhist life and experience in social context, including group identity and status, religious practices, organizational structures, generational dynamics, relations with non-Buddhist groups and the larger society, and migratory and adaptive processes. Case studies feature Southeast Asian, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, meditation-oriented, and socially en