The rise of Buddhism in American culture is a simple stroke of popularity and understanding stemming from its initial breakthrough in 1893 during the World's Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago (Smith 1). America has traditionally been considered a monotheistic nation, but has mostly accepted all points of view. Because America is built on religious freedom, Buddhism has managed to find a home among communities across the United States. The founder of Buddhism was a man named Siddhartha Gautama. He was born as the prince of a small kingdom located near modern-day Nepal, around 500 BC (Gurinder 1). According to legends, Siddhartha grew up in the lap of luxury. He was given the finest clothes, riches, and a mansion for every season (Fisher 136). Although he had everything his imagination could conjure up, he was not convinced of their value (136). As the story continues, he was presented with the four visions that were kept from him (136). These visions included death, illness, old age, and a monk who sought lasting happiness rather than material possessions (136). After these visions, Sidhharta began his long journey towards enlightenment. After six years of searching, he had achieved his goal of an ultimate consciousness called Nirvana, or enlightenment that is above ordinary human mental states (Gurinder, Numrich, Williams 1-2). After the discovery of ultimate consciousness, he was given the title Buhhda, meaning "Enlightened One" (2). Centuries after the Buddha's death, his teachings spread throughout Asia and dominated (2). Around 1500, Western powers began to enter Buddhist-controlled areas of Asia and set up colonies, which persisted until the mid-... middle of paper ......en, Tendai, Nichiren, and Jodo Shinshu (1 ) Buddhism continued to expand after this event. In an article published almost a year later, in Atlantic Monthly, one author observed that of all the Eastern religions, Buddhism was the best known and most popular (Gurinder, Numrich, Williams 5). Buddhist centers for interested whites began opening in cities from New York to San Francisco in early 1897 (6). Buddhism continued its expansion into the 20th century and saw continued bursts of influence in the decades that followed. In 1993, the World Parliament of Religions chose to hold their ceremony in the same city, Chicago, 100 years later (40). From its earliest roots in America during the 1893 World Parliament of Religions, one estimate placed approximately three million Buddhists in America at the end of the 20th century. (40).

Topic > The rise of Buddhism in American culture is a simple stroke of popularity and understanding stemming from its initial breakthrough in 1893 during the World's Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago (Smith 1). America has traditionally been considered a monotheistic nation, but has mostly accepted all points of view. Because America is built on religious freedom, Buddhism has managed to find a home among communities across the United States. The founder of Buddhism was a man named Siddhartha Gautama. He was born as the prince of a small kingdom located near modern-day Nepal, around 500 BC (Gurinder 1). According to legends, Siddhartha grew up in the lap of luxury. He was given the finest clothes, riches, and a mansion for every season (Fisher 136). Although he had everything his imagination could conjure up, he was not convinced of their value (136). As the story continues, he was presented with the four visions that were kept from him (136). These visions included death, illness, old age, and a monk who sought lasting happiness rather than material possessions (136). After these visions, Sidhharta began his long journey towards enlightenment. After six years of searching, he had achieved his goal of an ultimate consciousness called Nirvana, or enlightenment that is above ordinary human mental states (Gurinder, Numrich, Williams 1-2). After the discovery of ultimate consciousness, he was given the title Buhhda, meaning "Enlightened One" (2). Centuries after the Buddha's death, his teachings spread throughout Asia and dominated (2). Around 1500, Western powers began to enter Buddhist-controlled areas of Asia and set up colonies, which persisted until the mid-... middle of paper ......en, Tendai, Nichiren, and Jodo Shinshu (1 ) Buddhism continued to expand after this event. In an article published almost a year later, in Atlantic Monthly, one author observed that of all the Eastern religions, Buddhism was the best known and most popular (Gurinder, Numrich, Williams 5). Buddhist centers for interested whites began opening in cities from New York to San Francisco in early 1897 (6). Buddhism continued its expansion into the 20th century and saw continued bursts of influence in the decades that followed. In 1993, the World Parliament of Religions chose to hold their ceremony in the same city, Chicago, 100 years later (40). From its earliest roots in America during the 1893 World Parliament of Religions, one estimate placed approximately three million Buddhists in America at the end of the 20th century. (40).