Asian Religions in British Columbia

The first comprehensive and comparative study of Asian groups and the religions they practise in British Columbia today.

This path-breaking book offers the first comprehensive, comparative examination of Asian religions in British Columbia. Its insightful and accessible community accounts offer intimate portraits of local religious groups, including Hindus and Sikhs from South Asia; Buddhist organizations from Southeast Asia; and Tibetan, Japanese, and Chinese religions from East and Central Asia.

British Columbia is Canada’s most ethnically diverse province. Although the presence of Asian religions is felt and discussed in many regions, we know little about the religions that accompanied immigrants from Asia or how they are practised today.

Asian Religions in British Columbia brings together fourteen religious studies scholars who offer intimate portraits of local religious groups, including Hindus and Sikhs from South Asia; Buddhist organizations from Southeast Asia; and Tibetan, Japanese, and Chinese religions from East and Central Asia. Although the geographical focus is particular, the conceptual focus is broad – the authors explore each religious tradition in the larger context of Canadian multiculturalism.

As the first comprehensive and comparative examination of Asian religions in British Columbia, this book is mandatory reading for teachers, policy makers, scholars of British Columbia history and Asian Canadian studies, or anyone who wants to be well informed about this province and nation.