Buddhism in America
(Written by G.R. Lewis)
Updated in July 2008 to include the Pew Forum's U.S Religious Landscape Survey
For the last 18 years, all denominations of the Buddhist religion have experienced an unparalleled growth in the United States of America. From the years 1990 to 2001, Buddhism had grown 170% and transformed itself into the 4th most practiced religion in America. It was neck to neck with Islam losing a 3rd place position by a mere 22,000 people. Furthermore, in year 2001 the ARIS (American Religious Identity Survey) found that there were more Buddhists than Unitarian Universalists, Atheists, Hindus, Wiccans, New Agers or Bahais.