American Buddhism
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PBS Learning Media
American Buddhism
This video from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly examines the differences that have emerged between Asian-American Buddhists and European-American converts since Buddhism first reached America's shores in the 1840s. Asian immigrants to the United States brought their traditions and belief systems with them, giving Buddhism a foothold in the West as new immigrants found comfort in their native faith tradition. At the same time, Americans new to Buddhism discovered value and contentment in Buddhist ideas and ideals.