Buddhism in Costa Rica
Encyclopedia
Costa Rica
has more Buddhists
than the other countries in Central America
with almost 100,000 (2.34% of total population), followed closely by Panama, with almost 70,000 (2.1% of total population). Buddhism was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrants during the earlier part of the 19th century. Nowadays, it is also driven by the very minor presence of Buddhist missionary groups, such as Soka Gakkai International
., which has establish a community center at San Jose. It is now also driven by the influence of the Japanese culture, especially manga and anime which sometimes have Buddhist-related stories.
But mostly, in recent years there has been a tendency for growing dissatisfaction with Catholicism
, the dominant religion. Some convert to other branches of Christianity
, most notably Protestantism
(with a growing number of Protestant centers throughout Costa Rica). But others stay as agnostics, atheists or "free thinker
s". It is these latter groups, especially if already interested or practicing some form of meditation
, that can become influenced or inspired by "exotic religions" (in Costa Rica) such as Buddhism and therefore convert to it, or adopt it as a philosophy
.
, Tenzin Gyatso in Latin America
. Years later, in 2004 CE the XIV Dalai Lama
revisited Costa Rica. He gave some discourses, including one in the University of Costa Rica.
There is also a Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Curridabat San José (Karma Kagyu lineage).
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
has more Buddhists
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
than the other countries in Central America
Buddhism in Central America
Buddhism in Central America was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrant workers in most of these countries during the earlier part of the 19th century...
with almost 100,000 (2.34% of total population), followed closely by Panama, with almost 70,000 (2.1% of total population). Buddhism was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrants during the earlier part of the 19th century. Nowadays, it is also driven by the very minor presence of Buddhist missionary groups, such as Soka Gakkai International
Soka Gakkai International
is a lay religious movement within Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism derived from the teachings of the thirteenth-century Japanese monk, Nichiren Daishonin....
., which has establish a community center at San Jose. It is now also driven by the influence of the Japanese culture, especially manga and anime which sometimes have Buddhist-related stories.
But mostly, in recent years there has been a tendency for growing dissatisfaction with Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
, the dominant religion. Some convert to other branches of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, most notably Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
(with a growing number of Protestant centers throughout Costa Rica). But others stay as agnostics, atheists or "free thinker
Freethought
Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or other dogmas...
s". It is these latter groups, especially if already interested or practicing some form of meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
, that can become influenced or inspired by "exotic religions" (in Costa Rica) such as Buddhism and therefore convert to it, or adopt it as a philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
.
Tibetan Buddhism
In Costa Rica there are a few centers of Tibetan Buddhism; the best known is the "Asociación Cultural Tibetano-Costarricense" (Tibetan-Costarrican Cultural Association), which was established in 1989 CE after the first visit of the XIV Dalai LamaDalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
, Tenzin Gyatso in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. Years later, in 2004 CE the XIV Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
revisited Costa Rica. He gave some discourses, including one in the University of Costa Rica.
There is also a Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Curridabat San José (Karma Kagyu lineage).