Description based upon print version of record.

Cover; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Glossary of terms; Introduction; 1 Australian Buddhism in context; The origins of Buddhism; Japanese Zen Buddhism; Buddhism in the West; Japanese Zen in the West; Buddhism in Australia; Japanese Zen in Australia; 2 Australia Buddhism in transition; Practical expressions; Sociological expressions; Ideological expressions; Characteristics of Western Buddhism; 3 Models of change; Issues in adaptation; Theories of change; 4 Breaking down the boundaries; Notes

Appendix A: Japanese Zen Buddhists groups in AustraliaAppendix B: Diamond Sangha affiliates world-wide; Appendix C: Agreements concerning the structure and function of the Diamond Sangha; Bibliography; Index

This book examines the adaptation of Buddhism to the Australian sociocultural context. To gain insight into this process of cross-cultural adaptation, issues arising in the development of Diamond Sangha Zen Buddhist groups (one of the largest Zen lineages in the West) in Australia are contextualised within the broader framework of the adaptations of Buddhist teachings and practices in other Westernised countries. The book also examines the methodological approaches currently used for studying this process and suggests a synthesis of the approaches used for studying convert and ethnic Buddhist.