Buddhism in Australia ― Traditions in Change

The number of Buddhists in Australia has grown dramatically in recent years. In 2006, Buddhists accounted for 2.1 per cent of Australia's population, almost doubling the 1996 figures, and making it the fastest growing religion in the country. This book analyses the arrival and localisation of Buddhism in Australia in the context of the globalisation of Buddhism.

Australia's close geographical proximity to Asia has encouraged an intense flow of people, ideas, practices and commodities from its neighbouring countries, while at the same time allowing the development of the religion to be somewhat different to its growth in other Western countries. The book seeks to explore the Buddhist experience in Australia, looking at the similarities and particularities of this experience in relation to other Western countries.

The inception of Buddhism in Australia is investigated, and a voice is provided to people on the ground who have been fundamental in making this process possible. For the first time, academic analysis and practitioners' experience are juxtaposed to show the adaptations and challenges of Buddhism in Australia from above and below. This book is a unique and valuable contribution to the study of Buddhism in the West, globalization of religion, and studies in Asian Religion.

Cristina Rocha is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Cultural Research, University of Western Sydney, Australia. She is the editor of the Journal of Global Buddhism. Her research interests are Buddhism in the West, globalisation, religion and migration studies. Her previous publications include Zen in Brazil: The Quest for Cosmopolitan Modernity (2006).

Michelle Barker is a former academic in the field of Buddhism in Australia, and her research interests remain in this field. Her writings include Developments in Australian Buddhism: Facets of the Diamond (Routledge, 2002).