Buddhism In America Essay

Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in the world, having been founded circa 500 BCE. Although many Buddhists honor many gods, the religion is nontheistic as it does not dedicate itself to any god or gods. The ultimate goal of Buddhists is to achieve nirvana, or enlightenment. To reach nirvana is to rid one’s self of samsara, also known as suffering. Like most other religions, the key to Buddhism’s survival is the ability to adapt throughout time and locality. Although Buddhism was originally an eastern religion, today it is present in America and all over the world. The changes that have been made in Buddhism have allowed the religion to survive for so long in so many different cultures. Buddhism was first introduced to the United States in the 1840’s, when Americans first began to notice the religion. “In 1844, the Dial, a favorite magazine of the group of American intellectuals greatly interested in Eastern religions, published an English translation of a Buddhist sacred text” (Mann, Numrich, and Williams 4). In the years to come, many Americans became interested in the “strange” religion, and some even fully converted. Once the newness of Buddhism to America …show more content…
These new Buddhists are interested in Buddhism as more of a lifestyle than as a religion. Instead of searching for enlightenment through priests and temples, American Buddhists are living spiritually throughout their everyday lives and not just during times of worship, as many people of Christian and Jewish faiths do (Van Biema and McDowell). Buddhism is already an individualistic faith, and the individualistic culture of America is making it even more so. Instead of relying on a Buddhist monk at a Buddhist temple to guide them to nirvana, American Buddhists can meditate on their own, whenever and wherever they would like, effectively living more spiritually in doing