Buddhism in Scotland
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
2001 | 6,830 | — |
2011 | 12,795 | +87.3% |
Religious Affiliation was not recorded prior to 2001. |
Buddhism in Scotland is a relatively recent phenomenon. In Scotland Buddhists represent 0.24% of the population or around 13,000 people.[1]
History of Buddhism in Scotland
The earliest Buddhist influence on Scotland came through its imperial connections with
Burma, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. To begin with, 150 years ago, this response was primarily scholarly, and a tradition of study grew up that eventually resulted in the foundation of the Pali Text Society, which undertook the huge task of translating the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhist texts into English
.
The rate of growth was slow but steady through the century, and the 1950s saw the development of interest in
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Akong Rinpoche. It is in Eskdalemuir, in south west Scotland and is the largest Tibetan Buddhist centre in Western Europe, and part of the Karma Kagyu
tradition.
As well there are other Buddhism-based
Sōka Gakkai International. The Triratna community maintains a retreat centre at Balquhidder in the Trossachs
.
Demographics
In 2001 census, the Buddhism constituted 0.1% or 6,830 people of the Scotland.[2] It increased to 0.2% or 12,795 people in 2011 census.[3]
Samyé Ling
16th Karmapa's second visit to Samye Ling, he assured Akong Rinpoche about the longer-term future of Buddhism in the West and at Samye Ling. It is from this encounter that the Samye Project[5]
was born.
There is an associated community on
Holy Isle which is owned by Samyé Ling The settlements on the island include the Centre for World Peace and Health and a traditional retreat centre for nuns. Samyé Ling has also established centres in more than 20 countries, including Belgium, Ireland, Poland, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland.[6]
Notable Scottish Buddhists
See also
- Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde
- Buddhism in the United Kingdom
- Buddhism in England
- Buddhism in Wales
- Buddhism by country
- Demographics of Scotland
- British Asian
- Asian-Scots
- New Scots
External links
- Edinburgh Drikung Kagyu Sangha
- Edinburgh Buddhist Centre (Triratna)
- Fife Buddhist Group (Triratna)
- Dhanakosa Buddhist Retreat Centre (Triratna)
- Scotland - List of Buddhist groups in Scotland
- Portobello Buddhist Priory (OBC)
- Edinburgh Theravadan Buddhists
- Scottish Wild Geese Sangha (COI)
- Diamond Way Buddhism
- Aberdeen Buddhist Group (Triratna)
- Glasgow Zen Group
References
- ^ "2011 Census: Key Results from Releases 2A to 2D" (PDF).
- ^ "Analysis of Religion in the 2001 Census".
- ^ "2011 Census: Key Results from Releases 2A to 2D" (PDF).
- ^ Kate Rew (2010-01-15). "Scotland's Buddhist retreat". The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
- ^ ”Akong Rinpoché Establishing Buddha-Dharma: The Samye Project, http://www.akong.eu/dharma_8.htm
- ^ "Affiliated Centres | SamyeLing.org".