Asian Religions in British Columbia

British Columbia is one of Canada's most ethnically diverse provinces. Although the presence of Asian religions is felt and discussed in many regions of the province, in general we need to know more about the religions that accompanied immigrants from Asia and how they are practised today.

Asian Religions in British Columbia brings together fourteen local scholars of religion who draw on published histories, archival records, temple brochures, personal experience, and interviews to paint intimate portraits of local religious groups. These include Hindus and Sikhs from South Asia; Buddhist organizations from Southeast Asia; and Tibetan, Japanese, and Chinese religions from East and Central Asia. The geographical focus on British Columbia allows each author to highlight the experiences of individuals with different ethnic backgrounds and their family or community histories. Yet the conceptual focus is broad - the authors explore each religious tradition not only in its local and historical context but also in the larger context of Canadian multiculturalism.

This path-breaking book offers the first comprehensive and comparative examination of Asian religions in British Columbia. Its insightful and accessible community portraits are 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.