Asian Religions in British Columbia

British Columbia is Canada’s most ethnically diverse province. Although the presence of Asian religions is felt and discussed in many regions, we know little about the religions that accompanied immigrants from Asia or how they are practised today.

Asian Religions in British Columbia brings together fourteen religious studies scholars who offer intimate portraits of local religious groups, including Hindus and Sikhs from South Asia; Buddhist organizations from Southeast Asia; and Tibetan, Japanese, and Chinese religions from East and Central Asia. Although the geographical focus is particular, the conceptual focus is broad – the authors explore each religious tradition in the larger context of Canadian multiculturalism.

As the first comprehensive and comparative examination of Asian religions in British Columbia, this book is 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.

Larry DeVries is an instructor in religious studies and Asian studies at Langara College. Don Baker is a professor in Asian studies at the University of British Columbia. Dan Overmyer is professor emeritus in Asian studies at the University of British Columbia.

Contributors: Ian G. Baird, Paul Crowe, Marc des Jardins, Derryl N. MacLean, Bandu Madanayake, Rastin Mehri, Kamala Elizabeth Nayar, Michael Newton, Cam Van Thi Phan (aka Thich nu Tri Kha), James Placzek, Li Yu

This wonderfully detailed and comprehensive volume provides the first study of Asian religions in BC through a series of portraits of specific religious communities. It brings together the work of a number of scholars who know intimately the religions they describe. They tell stories that are old and new.