Buddhism is a religion with millions of followers in the United States, including traditionally Buddhist Asian Americans as well as non-Asian converts. While in the large history of Buddhism it is relatively new to the United States, it's introduction to the U.S. is interesting because is a new and different environment for Buddhists. Because it is relatively new to the United States, it developed an already interesting history and continues to do so as America and Buddhism come to grips with each other. While western interaction with Buddhism has happened, it has developed quite differently in America. Aside from sprouting various followings, it has rooted itself in American culture through schools and Universities. This essay will trace Buddhism's interactions with the West, specifically America, and describe the three types of modern American Buddhism: immigrant Buddhism, import Buddhism, including Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and Vipassana, and export Buddhism.
Western civilization and the Buddhist world have been interacting for thousands of years, but only rarely. The most significant began in 334 BC, early in the history of Buddhism, when Alexander the Great conquered most of Central Asia. An important influence in the area was made, which interacted with the Buddhism that had been introduced from India creating Greco-Buddhism. This significantly affected Mahayana Buddhism, but it has not made the same influence on Western thought. The Middle East also provided a way for Buddhist thoughts to infiltrate Europe during the Christian era. One example is the story of Barlaam and Josaphat. This story of folk heroes is believed to be a changed account of the life of Siddhartha Gautama. &nb ...