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Mapping the American Buddhist Terrain: Paths Taken and Possible Itineraries
Author(s) -
Wilson Jeff
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
religion compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.113
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 1749-8171
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-8171.2009.00173.x
Subject(s) - buddhism , terrain , regionalism (politics) , focus (optics) , psychology , task (project management) , geography , cartography , political science , archaeology , engineering , law , physics , optics , systems engineering , politics , democracy
Many different approaches have been taken to the task of analyzing how many kinds of Buddhism exist within the United States. A topographical approach which draws on Thomas Tweed’s crossing and dwelling theory of religion provides a useful interpretative tool to understand the many Buddhisms in America. While ‘maps’ such as two Buddhisms, three Buddhisms, night‐stand Buddhists, and others will likely continue to prove useful, they are also incomplete and further approaches are needed. One important area that has been overlooked is regionalism within American Buddhism, a lens that comes into focus when Tweed’s sense of mapping religion and theoretical itineraries is applied.