Buddhism has been steadily growing in the United States since its introduction by Asian immigrants in the 19th century. Today, it is estimated that there are over 3 million Buddhists in the country, with the largest populations found in Thailand and Japan. However, the practice of Buddhism in the United States is not limited to those of Asian descent. In fact, there are a diverse range of Buddhist groups and lineages represented in the country, making it a melting pot of Buddhist traditions from all over the world. One of the earliest waves of Buddhist immigrants to the United States came from China in the early 1800s, with a significant increase after the California Gold Rush of 1849. These immigrants brought with them their Buddhist faith and established temples and congregations on the west coast.
However, due to racism and discrimination, these temples were often viewed with suspicion and contempt by the rest of the population. The Immigration Act of 1965 brought an influx of immigrants from China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries that practiced Theravada Buddhism. This led to a growth in Buddhist communities and congregations throughout the country. The first Buddhist temple in the United States was built in 1853 in San Francisco by the Sze Yap Company, a Chinese-American fraternal society. By 1900, there were approximately 400 Chinese temples on the west coast, most of which incorporated some elements of Buddhism. As Buddhism continued to spread throughout the country, it faced challenges such as declining participation from ethnic communities and a lack of understanding from the general population.
In response, some American intellectuals began to study Buddhism based on information from British colonies in India and East Asia. This led to a greater interest in Buddhism among non-Asian Americans. In 1900, six white San Franciscans established the Buddha Dharma Sangha and published a bimonthly magazine called The Light of Dharma. Other intellectuals, such as Paul Carus, wrote books on Buddhism and even incorporated Buddhist scriptures into Western classical music. Zen Buddhism was introduced to the United States by Japanese priests who were sent to serve local immigrant groups.
A small group also came to study American culture and way of life. One of the most influential figures in the growth of Buddhism in the United States was Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. Through his essays and books in English, he became a prominent expositor of Zen Buddhism and its unofficial ambassador to Western readers. In 1951, Suzuki returned to the United States to hold a visiting chair at Columbia University, where his lectures attracted many members of the literary, artistic, and cultural elite. Another significant lineage that had a disproportionate impact on the West compared to its size in Japan is Sanbo Kyodan. This lineage was rooted in the reformist teachings of Harada Daiun Sogaku and his disciple Yasutani Hakuun, who believed that existing Zen institutions in Japan had become complacent and were unable to transmit the true Dharma.
The first American member of Sanbo Kyodan was Philip Kapleau, who published a book called The Three Pillars of Zen in 1965. He later established the Rochester Zen Center in New York. Other influential Zen masters who have contributed to the growth of Buddhism in the United States include Robert Aitken, who founded the Diamond Sangha in Honolulu, Hawaii, and John Tarrant, who leads the Zen Institute of the Pacific. There are also masters from other Buddhist traditions such as Chinese Chan, Korean Seon, and Vietnamese Thien. In addition to these lineages, there are also teachers who have brought their own unique perspectives and teachings to the United States. One such teacher is Hsuan Hua, who moved to San Francisco's Chinatown in 1962 and taught various forms of Chinese Buddhism. Another is Seung Sahn, who founded the Kwan Um School of Zen in 1972 and has over 100 centers worldwide. Today, Buddhism continues to thrive in the United States, with a diverse range of lineages and traditions represented.
It has become a part of American culture and has influenced various aspects of society, from literature and art to mindfulness practices and meditation techniques. As more and more people discover the benefits of Buddhism, its growth in the United States shows no signs of slowing down.
