For those interested in the various forms of Buddhism currently represented in America, Richard Seager's book provides a good introduction to Buddhist groups, their American context, and certain issues that are shaping these groups. Seager was commissioned by Columbia University Press to write a book on Buddhism in America for a general audience; therefore, readers will be pleased to find introductory material on "very basic" Buddhism, a glossary, and a list of further reading suggestions.

Seager's book is most helpful for those instructors and students that are interested in examining Buddhism as it has developed and continues to develop in America. It can act as an introduction to the various Buddhist schools and select individual groups, but more precisely, it explores the structure and dynamics of these groups in an American context.

He divides his work into three parts: background, major traditions, and selected issues. The first part allows readers unfamiliar with Buddhism to become acquainted with the tradition and to consider how it was introduced to America. The second part is a discussion of select Buddhist groups in America, such as Jodo Shinshu, Korean Zen, and Tibetan groups. The final part covers issues that are currently being discussed in various Buddhist circles, such as gender equity, socially engaged Buddhism, inter- and intrareligious dialogue, and Americanization.

For those already familiar with basic Asian Buddhism, the chapter on "The American Setting" provides readers with a sense of the historical context of Buddhism in America. Seager explains that Buddhism was being discussed in America as early as the mid-nineteenth century, by figures such as Thoreau and Emerson. He goes on to discuss the significance of the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893 and how it marked "the formal debut" of Asian religions in America. From there he moves to the Beat writers who popularized Zen, such as Kerouac and Watts, and finally mentions the role that Asian immigration has played in shaping Buddhism in America. The section on immigration is unfortunately brief, and may reflect the fact that scholars have only recently begun to recognize how the 1965 immigration act and the Vietnam War have influenced the development of Buddhism in America.

In looking at the chapters on individual groups, the chapter on Tibetan Buddhism in America is a fair representation of Seager's approach. He begins with issues specific to Tibetan Buddhism, such as the relationship between Hollywood and the Tibetan community in exile and the important text preservation and dissemination projects Tibetans are involved with in America. Next, he discusses certain teachers within Tibetan Buddhism, using the Kagyu school as a case study. Finally, he discusses certain rituals and other forms of practice and belief within this group, something he does at the end of each group chapter. While this chapter is not representative of Tibetan Buddhism in America in its entirety, it is an engaging and useful introduction to the group.

As a general text on Buddhism in America, Seager's work is useful in the sense that it can serve as a springboard for discussion on issues such as the role of "imported" religions in American society, religion and ethnicity in America, and the acculturation process that transplanted traditions face here. However, this text is perhaps best used within a broader discussion of Buddhism, and reading an introduction to Asian Buddhism beforehand is recommended.

This book, however, does present some drawbacks. Although Seager does attempt to present a comprehensive picture, the Buddhism practiced by European American converts is privileged over ethnic/immigrant Buddhism in his discussion. Also, the issues he includes (which he admits are selective) are issues that pertain more to predominantly Euro-American groups. This book should not be taken as a truly comprehensive portrait of Buddhism in America.

Overall, this can be an effective text for instructors and students beginning their study of Buddhism to examine how this tradition is growing and changing in their own country.

review © 2000 Amanda Blohm and RSiSS 2000

Amanda Blohn
Indiana University 

Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series

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