The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Dr. Helen J. Baroni and Ms. Jane E. F. Tam

University of Hawai'i at Manoa and independent researcher
Zen in Hawai'i: From Ethnic Communities to American Innovations – islands of Oahu, Maui, Kaui, Molokai

While Buddhism remains a marginal religion on the mainland of the United States, in Hawai'i it is regarded as a mainstream religion accounting for at least 20% of the population. This makes Hawai'i an ideal location to study patterns of ethnic membership and denominational affiliation within the diverse religion of Buddhism. The present study concentrates on the Zen churches (as they are locally known). Membership in Zen churches cuts across several ethnic boundaries, and includes some of the oldest and the newest immigrant groups to settle in Hawai'i.

Zen churches in the islands can be divided into two basic categories: those established by ethnic immigrant communities from Asia and those established by American Zen teachers. The present study investigates both categories of Zen churches to determine their patterns of development, adaptation and change.

We focus on the following: the tendency to Americanize and adopt practices from Christian models; the more recent trend in older institutions to reassert their Asian roots; evidence of influence on ethnic churches from popular American constructions of Zen Buddhism. The five primary areas of concern are: ritual offerings and services, training of clergy and lay leadership, membership trends, participation in local ecumenical councils, and involvement in "Engaged Buddhism."

Currently, we have assembled a group of student interviewers/translators to assist us in our interviews with ethnic immigrant churches. We have contacted approximately 20-25 churches located throughout the islands and will soon begin the formal interviewing process.