Two buddhisms further considered

Abstract

Over the past century and a half, many observers have recognized a ‘two Buddhisms’ dichotomy, framed in broad ethnic terms, that characterizes the Buddhist presence in the West. Two types of Buddhists pursue substantively different perspectives and practices of Buddhism — ethnic Asians born into a Buddhist cultural heritage, and non-Asian converts to Buddhism. Critical reflection on this two Buddhisms dichotomy dates only to the early 1990s, but since then it has exercised the field of contemporary Buddhist studies. This essay presents an analytical history and critical assessment of the two Buddhisms notion. I will recommend that advocates and critics alike acknowledge the value of the notion, and that they direct their energies toward advancing the field in creative ways, both within and outside the two Buddhisms paradigm. First, a clarification of how the related concepts of ethnicity, race, and religion will be used in this essay (see Stout 1975; Burkey 1978; Smith 1978; Abramson 1980; Becker 1988; Conzen et al. 1992; Hammond and Warner 1993). Ethnicity, or ethnic group identity, is based on perceived shared origins and cultural characteristics, a collective sense of peoplehood and belonging, a mutual acknowledgement that ‘we’ and ‘they’ differ in substantive ways. Ethnic identity is socially constructed rather than primordial, dynamic rather than static, continually negotiated and reconfigured through interaction among dominant and minority groups in society. Ethnic identities are often created, enhanced, or submerged under larger categories through the migration process as groups find their place in a new society. In the case of ethno-racial groups, ethnic identity is linked primarily to physical characteristics; for ethno-religious groups, ethnic identity is linked primarily to religion. Particular ethnic-Asian Buddhist populations, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Vietnamese Buddhists, and the general category of ethnic-Asian Buddhists combine both racial and religious identifying characteristics. In the context of this essay, the term ‘ethnic Asians’ and its adjectival form ‘ethnic-Asian’ refer to Asian Buddhist minority populations in the West.