Buddhism in the US

Our nation is an angry nation. The practice of Buddhism is largely devoted to fostering tranquility. And Buddhism has come bigly to our shores. How so? What is it here? What might it, should it, become? Will it soothe our roiled emotions? To explore these questions, we will look at two American Theravada Buddhist demographics: Immigrants from Southeast Asia, born and raised in Theravada Buddhism and American-born converts to Theravada Buddhism. For in-class discussion, sharing what we already know about Buddhism including any experiences we have had with it, will be especially welcome.

Required Readings: Wendy Cadge, Heartwood, The First Generation of Theravada Buddhism in America, ISBN 978-0226089003. 

Steven Piker is an anthropologist who has done two years of field work in Buddhist Thailand as well as research on religious conversion in the US. He spent 44 years at Swarthmore College and has offered 35 or more courses at four of Maine’s senior colleges.