Buddhism in Alaska (Russian America)

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Buddhism ☀Russian: буддизм) is the third largest religion in Alaska making up approximately 10% of the population. Until the 1950's Tibetan Lamanism was the prominent school of Buddhism in the country. Unique to Alaska, New World Buddhism has developed an equally visible presence. The Chan school is also a reality in Chinese Alaskan enclaves. Geographically Buddhists are distributed throughout Alaska the largest concentrations are in Validkakady and Ross.

History

See History of Alaskan Buddhism

The Kalmyk people originally brought Buddhism in Alaska after the Spanish-Russo War, eventually sowing the seeds for the dawn of New World Buddhism. The remainder of the 19th century saw Kalmyks solidify Buddhism as the structure for their new world communities living in Sonoma side by side with their Orthodox Neighbors. In the mid 1800's Kalmyks canonized certain sites in the mountains of Oregon which remain sacred to this day which are the only truly Buddhist holy sites in the Americas. After the Gold Rush some of the remaining Chinese settlers set up Chan fraternities. Later Japanese and other Asian groups would follow. The developments in Alaska were of great interest to 19th century scholars in Buddhism. By 1900 Buddhism was firmly planted in the then Russian American Territories.

Russia's war with Japan brought change to Alaska's emerging Buddhism. Many Asian Alaskan Buddhists born to Alaska went to Manchuria for the first time and met with teachers there. Bringing back manuscripts Buddhism enjoyed a period of stimulated creativity until the onset of the Alaskan Wars. The Alaskan Wars were collectively the darkest period in Alaskan Buddhist History. Buddhists faced discrimination from all factions and outright destruction from the Soviet supported Alaskan Socialist Republic. However Alaskan Buddhists emerged in the reunited Alaska as an increasingly influential minority.

The second half of the 20th century brought massive structural and ethnic changes to Alaskan Buddhists. Buddhism became an increasingly present sight in mainstream culture and many whites converted to the religion. While being constructive in advancing Buddhism's principals such success threatened the vitality of the religious minority. Asian Alaskans increasingly looked to Buddhism to preserve their heritage while many Europeans found Buddhism to be a vehicle for experimentation. In the long term these differences found an uneasy resolution.

The present time sees Buddhism influential in Alaskan life and Alaskan Buddhism is becoming more noticeable on the global stage as an example of Buddhism's adaption to a region far away from its original South Asian origins. Due to globalization and communication technology however Alaskan Buddhism still distinct is currently experiencing renewed influence from the old world.

Variants

Within Alaskan Buddhism is great diversity relating to practice, teachings and organization. Despite these differences the majority of laymen from all of the major schools have acknowledged each other as fellow Buddhists since the late 1980's. Regardless of their differences all of Alaska's variants agree with the four noble truths and acknowledge meditation being a vehicle to enlightenment.

Lamaism

A school Based out of Tibet, Lamaism has historically been the primary faith of the Mongol, Buryat, Manchurian and other Siberian-Mongolic Alaskans. In contrast to Lamaism in Asia Lamaism in Alaska has begun to use Mongol as well as Tibetan as holy languages. Due to early Kalmyk inroads into Alaska a certain portion of Native Americans are also affiliated with Lamaism. While other schools have emerged in recent years the Geluge school was traditionally the prominent Lamanist School and still holds prominence. Lamanists in Alaska have their own spiritual head independent from the spiritual head of the Tibet. However Lamanists in Alaska still give official acknowledgment to the Tibetan Dali Lama as the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva of compassion but not as a political leader. Recently with the rise of globalization the Alaskan Lamanists are working on forging closer spiritual ties with Tibet to enrich study and debate in Alaska.

Chan and Zen

Chan and Zen are the most prominent variant of Buddhism for Chinese and Japanese Alaskans respectively. Until present times this kind of Buddhism was rarely seen outside of ethnic neighborhoods in coastal Alaskan cities. While previously exclusive to ethnicity in Alaska both Chan and Zen has been attracting interest from Russian Alaskans since the 1960's In beliefs both Chan and Zen prescribe meditation and enlightenment, both are famous for their riddles, some of which have become debated questions at public Alaskan universities. In recent years half Japanese half Russian Zen Priest Andrei Hashimoto has become a world renowned teacher for his instance on finding peace through extreme concentration and awareness. Cultural elements of Chan and Zen are found in Alaskan Tea and Karate.

New World Buddhism

New World Buddhism is a unique result of cultural fusing and characterizes many beliefs and ideas native to Alaska. Arising from the 19th century writings of European, Asians and native Americans that met each other in Alaska. New World Buddhism emphasizes the western hemisphere. New World Buddhists believe there is innocence in the Americas because it is more pristine and untarnished, and was cared for by natives prior to colonization. As a result New World Buddhists believe nature must be kept as pure as possible and lean toward environmentalism. Teachings prescribe the merging between human and the wild as a facilitator for the reduction of suffering. Rivers and trees are particularly sacred in accomplishing personal peace. In contrast to other sects New World Buddhists are not as interested in elaborate temples but favor open spaces where laymen can reach consciousness. New World architecture tends to be minimalist and seeks to match any sacred structures with the surrounding environment. This is the case with Little Step meditation center in Oregon which is built in stream to existing river flow. New World Buddhism has been classified as "westernized" by Buddhist and secular intellectuals because of its public nature encouraging congregations of followers and preaching like Christianity. The prominent Enlightenment Church has a looser form of the Orthodox style organization without a patriarch. Controversially some major priests have suggested the Buddha hood of Jesus Christ. However most major New World Buddhist organizations reject this or do not make a position on the issue

Organizations

Major Congregations

Enlightenment Church,

The Enlightenment Church is the largest organization supporting New World Buddhism thought and belief. Founded in 1955, the church claims to have 120,000 members in Alaska and 150,000 total world wide. Beginning as a youth movement the Enlightenment Church opposed hierarchy in principal but has sense developed central organization to maintain cohesion. The Enlightenment Church is currently active in 30 countries and is present in every other country in North America.

Assembly of the Eastern Lama

The Assembly of the Lama, formally known as Yellow Hat Dharama is the central organization for Lamnists in Alaska. Founded in 1885 as a linking of Kalmyk and other immigrant communities. Centered around the "Eastern Lama" , or the lama east of Tibet. Traditionally until the turn of the century most Mongol, Buryat and Kalmyak newborns were registered with the Assembly. In times of domestic crisis the Assembly takes part in disaster relief for all Alaskans. The Assembly holds a chain of schools, monasteries, temples, libraries a university and many charities. With 100,000 active members and 400,000 non active members the Assembly has been one of the most visible images of Buddhist and Asian Alaskans to general mainstream. The Eastern Lama, simply called Lama Nasu is one of the most influential of Asian Alaskans today appearing regularly by the televised media to give the "Buddhist" or mistakenly the "Asiatic" view on major events.

Gusku Society

Named after "Gusku" an old Pomo deity, the word "society" refers to loose organization of holy men among many native American tribes in Southern Alaska, The Gusku society emerged after early contact between natives and Kalmyk people. In recent years the Gusku Society has become more of a functioning organization among native elders, adapting certain Buddhist beliefs to their existing religion. From at least 1900 many of the Pomo have identified Gusku as being a god that had attained enlightenment. Old precolonial rites are still practiced under the guise of Buddhism. Almost all of the members are native Americans with the exception of a few Kalmyks.

Schools

University of Nemev

Founded in 1980 the University of Nemev is a private non for profit university in Ross,Sonoma. The first accredited Buddhist institution of higher learning in Alaska. Formed out of a desire to facilitate a richer traditional Buddhist community and to equip that community for the modern economy. The University of Nemev has developed a reputation of being a strong school for Asian foreign languages and for technology as well as Buddhist Divinity. Largest programs include Computer Science, Buddhist Theology, Medicine, Eurasian History and Northeast Asian languages. The University of Nemev is home to the largest library of eastern literature and history in the Americas. Today the university is considered to be the most prestigious vehicle into entering the Buddhist Clergy. 7,000 students strong, 15% of the student body are international students. Attached to the University is a monastery hosting several hundred monks. The University is named out of Teacher Nemev was one of the first Buddhists to come to Alaska during colonial times.

Demography

As of 2007 federal Alaskan Census 9.7% of the Alaskan people (5,456,864) claimed to profess affiliation to Buddhism. Of these 63% stated they were of "Asian origin", 30% stated they were of "white" origin, 4% of "Native American" origin and 3% stated "other". A solid majority Buddhist Alaskans (69%) had at least a bachelors or equivalent college degree.

According to a study by the Kuzkin think tank Buddhists were solid evergreen supporters until the 1960's on account of anticommunism. Since the election of Vasily Kardash Buddhists have gradually leaned towards the movement for Peace and Freedom.