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 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.

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.