Southern dharma: outlines of Buddhism in Argentina

Abstract

This article offers an overview of the Buddhist groups created in Argentina in recent decades as a contribution to the study of pluralization within the national religious scene and as a way of comprehending the spread of Buddhism in the West. The first part of the paper examines the early textual appropriation of Buddhism by certain Orientalist literati and intellectuals. The second part describes the history and main features of the Buddhist groups linked to Asian immigration from China, Korea, Japan, and Laos. The third part focuses on exploring the history and main sociocultural features of groups whose membership is mostly composed of Argentine converts who have no Oriental ancestors. The crossing of paths and the encounters between Argentine Buddhist groups are then described along with the appropriation of their ideas and practices by different alternative institutions having no links with official Buddhism, and the broader impact of this religion on national society. Finally, the conclusions reflect on the global decentralization process Buddhism is undergoing and the challenges this religious minority must face locally.