Buddhist accept as the basic foundation of their life the “three jewels,”

A person is considered to have become a Buddhist when they accept as the basic foundation of their life the “three jewels,” referring to the Buddha (the fully awakened person), the dharma (the Buddhist teachings), and the sangha (the community of fellow Buddhists)

there lies within each one of us an inner jewel, waiting to shine forth to help us realize Buddhism’s aim of awakening, overcoming suffering and manifesting joy, satisfaction, peace of mind, and gratitude—its aim, in other words, of achieving happiness.

Four groups

1) older Asian American Buddhist communities. 

2) newer Asian American Buddhist communities have formed in the United States as more people have immigrated from Cambodia, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and elsewhere. 

3) converted to Buddhism as adults and whose main practice is sitting meditation. They are predominately of European descent

4) The fourth group is made up of convert Buddhists whose main practice is chanting. The majority of this group are affiliated with Soka Gakkai International

Surveys have shown that Americans have in increasing numbers become more attracted to spirituality than to what is often called “organized religion,” meaning religion as centered on membership in institutions such as synagogues, temples, and mosques. The phrase “spiritual but not religious” is often used to describe such people.

The American sociologist of religion Wade Clark Roof describes spirituality as “personal experience tailored to the individual’s own quests.” Spirituality, he writes, is associated with five key terms: connectedness, unity, peace, harmony, and centeredness.

Buddhism sees difficulties such as sickness, loss, disappointment, and death as a natural part of life and not something to try to deny. Suffering is something that needs to be understood, accepted, and turned into a springboard for living a fuller and more meaningful life.

The Land of Many Dharmas Rev. Dr. Kenneth Tanaka

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Tanaka is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist priest and professor emeritus of Buddhist Studies at Musashino University in Tokyo, Japan. He is also the former president of the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies. His book Jewels: An Introduction to American Buddhism for Youth, Scouts, and the Young at Heart is available for free download at bdkamerica.org.