Buddhism in Canada: Difference between revisions
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[[Buddhism]] is among the smallest minority-religions in [[Canada]], with a very slowly-growing population in the country, partly the result of conversion, with only 4.6% of new immigrants identifying themselves as Buddhist.<ref>1991 & 2001 Canadian Census data, summarized and displayed as a bar-chart at the following blog: http://a-bas-le-ciel.blogspot.ca/2012/08/religious-identity-in-canadian-census.html</ref> As of 2001, the census recorded 300,345 Canadian Buddhists<ref name="stats">[http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/demo30a-eng.htm Population by religion, by province and territory (2001 Census)]</ref> (about 1% of the population). |
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Buddhism has been practised in Canada for more than a century and in recent years has grown dramatically. Buddhism arrived in Canada with the arrival of Chinese labourers in the territories during the 19th century.<ref name="encyc">[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001082 The Canadian Encyclopedia: Buddhism]</ref> Modern Buddhism in Canada traces to Japanese immigration during the late 19th century.<ref name="encyc"/> The first Japanese Buddhist temple in Canada was built at the Ishikawa Hotel in [[Vancouver, British Columbia|Vancouver]] in 1905.<ref>[http://www.faithandmedia.org/cms/uploads/files/8_guide-buddhism.pdf A Journalist's Guide to Buddhism]</ref> Over time, the Japanese [[Jōdo Shinshū]] branch of Buddhism became the prevalent form of Buddhism in Canada<ref name="encyc"/> and established the largest Buddhist organization in Canada.<ref name="encyc"/> |
Buddhism has been practised in Canada for more than a century and in recent years has grown dramatically. Buddhism arrived in Canada with the arrival of Chinese labourers in the territories during the 19th century.<ref name="encyc">[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001082 The Canadian Encyclopedia: Buddhism]</ref> Modern Buddhism in Canada traces to Japanese immigration during the late 19th century.<ref name="encyc"/> The first Japanese Buddhist temple in Canada was built at the Ishikawa Hotel in [[Vancouver, British Columbia|Vancouver]] in 1905.<ref>[http://www.faithandmedia.org/cms/uploads/files/8_guide-buddhism.pdf A Journalist's Guide to Buddhism]</ref> Over time, the Japanese [[Jōdo Shinshū]] branch of Buddhism became the prevalent form of Buddhism in Canada<ref name="encyc"/> and established the largest Buddhist organization in Canada.<ref name="encyc"/> |
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Revision as of 07:28, 9 October 2012
Buddhism is among the smallest minority-religions in Canada, with a very slowly-growing population in the country, partly the result of conversion, with only 4.6% of new immigrants identifying themselves as Buddhist.[1] As of 2001, the census recorded 300,345 Canadian Buddhists[2] (about 1% of the population).
Buddhism has been practised in Canada for more than a century and in recent years has grown dramatically. Buddhism arrived in Canada with the arrival of Chinese labourers in the territories during the 19th century.[3] Modern Buddhism in Canada traces to Japanese immigration during the late 19th century.[3] The first Japanese Buddhist temple in Canada was built at the Ishikawa Hotel in Vancouver in 1905.[4] Over time, the Japanese Jōdo Shinshū branch of Buddhism became the prevalent form of Buddhism in Canada[3] and established the largest Buddhist organization in Canada.[3]
A substantial expansion of Buddhism in Canada began in the last half of the 20th century. Changes in Canadian immigration pattern saw a massive influx of immigrants from Sri Lanka, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations, all of which have strong Buddhist histories and demographics. In addition, the immense popularity and goodwill ushered in by Tibet's Dalai Lama (who has been made honorary Canadian citizen) put Buddhism in a favourable light. Many non-Asian Canadians (Namgyal Rinpoche, Glenn H. Mullin, and Richard Barron for instance) have embraced Buddhism in various traditions and some have become leaders in their respective sanghas.
There are now more than 500 Buddhist organizations in Canada, including temples, centres, associations, retreats, charities, businesses, etc. All lineages (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Novayana newer schools) are represented. Several universities offer extensive programs in Buddhist Studies.
Immigrant communities construct temples in Canada’s urban centres, and Buddhist ideas and practices such as meditation, vegetarianism, and non-violence are increasingly a part of mainstream culture. Chinese, Tibetan, Lao, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese Buddhisms flourish while increasingly some native-born Canadians are turning to Buddhism.[5]
It has been estimated that some 600,000 Canadians will count themselves Buddhist on the 2011 census.[6]
Buddhist population
The Buddhist Population in Canada according to the 2001 Census.[2]
| Province | Buddhists |
|---|---|
 Ontario
|
128,320 |
 British Columbia
|
85,540 |
 Quebec
|
41,380 |
 Alberta
|
33,410 |
 Manitoba
|
5,745 |
 Saskatchewan
|
3,050 |
 Nova Scotia
|
1,730 |
 New Brunswick
|
545 |
 Newfoundland and Labrador
|
185 |
 Northwest Territories
|
155 |
 Prince Edward Island
|
140 |
 Yukon
|
130 |
 Nunavut
|
15 |
 Canada
|
300,345 |
See also
- Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery
- Chögyam Trungpa
- Gaden Relief Projects
- Gampo Abbey
- Glenn H. Mullin
- HUMUH: Transcendental Buddhism
- International Buddhist Temple
- Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada
- Ling Yen Mountain Temple
- Montreal Zen Center
- Pema Chödrön
- Raymond Buddhist Church
- Richard Hayes (professor)
- Samu Sunim
Further reading
- Harding, John, Victor Sogen Hori and Alexander Soucy, Eds. Wild Geese: Buddhism in Canada (2010)
- Matthews, Bruce, Ed. Buddhism in Canada (2006)
- McLellan, Janet Many Petals of the Lotus: Five Asian Buddhist Communities in Toronto (1999)
References
- ^ 1991 & 2001 Canadian Census data, summarized and displayed as a bar-chart at the following blog: http://a-bas-le-ciel.blogspot.ca/2012/08/religious-identity-in-canadian-census.html
- ^ a b Population by religion, by province and territory (2001 Census)
- ^ a b c d The Canadian Encyclopedia: Buddhism
- ^ A Journalist's Guide to Buddhism
- ^ John S. Harding, Victor Sogen Hori and Alexander Soucy (2010). Wild Geese: Buddhism in Canada. McGill-Queen's University Press. ISBN 0-7735-3666-3.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ 'Nice' Buddhism growing in Canada, with rivalry
External links
- canadianbuddhism.info 2012 edition of the Sumeru directory of Canadian Buddhist organizations
- Sumeru Canadian Buddhist news blog
- Early history of Japanese in Canada
- Buddhactivity Dharma Centres database
- Toronto's Yoga, Meditation and Wellness Community
- Buddhist Education Foundation for Canada
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