Heartwood : the first generation of Theravada Buddhism in America / Wendy Cadge.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cadge, Wendy.

Series:

Morality and society.

Morality and society series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Theravāda Buddhism--United States--History--20th century.

Theravāda Buddhism.

Southeast Asian Americans--Religious life.

Southeast Asian Americans.

Buddhist converts--Religious life--United States.

Buddhist converts.

Buddhist centers--United States--History.

Buddhist centers.

Southeast Asia--Religion.

Southeast Asia.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (279 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Chicago ; London : University of Chicago Press, 2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Theravada is one of the three main branches of Buddhism. In Asia it is practiced widely in Thailand, Laos, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. This fascinating ethnography opens a window onto two communities of Theravada Buddhists in contemporary America: one outside Philadelphia that is composed largely of Thai immigrants and one outside Boston that consists mainly of white converts. Wendy Cadge first provides a historical overview of Theravada Buddhism and considers its specific origins here in the United States. She then brings her findings to bear on issues of personal identity, immigration, cultural assimilation, and the nature of religion in everyday life. Her work is the first systematic comparison of the ways in which immigrant and convert Buddhists understand, practice, and adapt the Buddhist tradition in America. The men and women whom Cadge meets and observes speak directly to us in this work, both in their personal testimonials and as they meditate, pray, and practice Buddhism. Creative and insightful, Heartwood will be of enormous value to sociologists of religion and anyone wishing to understand the rise of Buddhism in the Western world.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Note on Terminology

Acknowledgments

1. Arrivals and a Map of the Journey

2. The History of Theravada Buddhism in America

3. New Organizations:Wat Mongkoltepmunee (Wat Phila) and the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center (cimc)

4. Lived Buddhism: The Construction of Teaching and Practice at Wat Phila and cimc

5. Refuge in the Sangha: The Shape of Buddhist Communities

6. Ascribed and Achieved Buddhist Identities

7. Observations through a Gendered Lens

8. Taking Stock, Looking Forward

Appendix A. Research Methods

Appendix B. Refuges and Precepts

Notes

Reference List

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [246]-262) and index.

ISBN:

9786612426209

9781282426207

1282426206

9780226089010

0226089010

OCLC:

527729874