Converts to Buddhism

Revision with unchanged content. Psychology has historically failed to address matters of spirituality and cultural diversity. These voids are beginning to be addressed, but missing in the literature are descriptions of the experiences individuals involved in religions outside the Judeo-Christian traditions in the United States. This study examines the experiences of members of a small Buddhist center in the conservative, largely Christian context of the midwestern United States. Study questions examined were: What are the factors that influence an individual's decision to seek a minority religious tradition? What is the impact of minority religion membership in the larger, conservative religious culture? How does membership affect relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances? How might ideas about self, the world, and life experience change as individuals acculturate to a different worldview? This book would be of special interest to psychologists, sociologists, and religious studies professionals. It would also be useful for anyone interested in better understanding the experiences and well-being of Western Buddhists.