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Buddhism in New Zealand

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Buddhism is New Zealand's third-largest religion after Christianity and Hinduism standing at 1.5% of the population of New Zealand.[1] Buddhism originates in Asia and was introduced to New Zealand by immigrants from East Asia.[2]

History

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The first Buddhists in New Zealand were Chinese diggers in the Otago goldfields in the mid-1860s.[3] Their numbers were small, and the 1926 census, the first to include Buddhism, recorded only 169.[citation needed] Buddhism grew significantly as a religion in New Zealand during the 1970s and 1980s with the arrival of Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees, coinciding with increased interest in Buddhist teaching from Western communities.[3] Buddhist associations began forming, such as the Zen Society of New Zealand in 1972 (originally known as the Denkyo-ji Society), often fundraising to organise

In the 1970s travel to Asian countries and visits by Buddhist teachers sparked an interest in the religious traditions of Asia, and significant numbers of New Zealanders adopted Buddhist practices and teachings.

Since the 1980s Asian migrants and refugees have established their varied forms of Buddhism in New Zealand. In the 2010s more than 50 groups, mostly in the Auckland region, offered different Buddhist traditions at temples, centres, monasteries and retreat centres. Many migrant communities brought priests or religious specialists from their own countries and their temples and centres have acted as focal points for a particular ethnic community, offering language and religious instruction. National and international groups.

In 2008 the Sixth Global Conference on Buddhism brought leading teachers and scholars to Auckland under the auspices of the New Zealand Buddhist Foundation. The New Zealand Buddhist Council was established in 2007 and was composed of 15 Buddhist organisations. As of 2020 there are 32 member organizations.[4] They engage with local and national government over issues of concern to Buddhist communities, support their members administratively and promote dialogue and understanding between the rich diversity of traditions in the country.[5]

Demographics

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According to the 2006 Census, Buddhism constituted 1.4% of the population of New Zealand. It slightly increased to 1.5% in the 2013 census. Most of the Buddhists in New Zealand are migrants from Asia with significant New Zealanders converted to Buddhism ranging from 15,000[6]-20,000.[5] According to the 2013 census, there are about 58,440 Buddhists in New Zealand.[7] The converts to Buddhism is estimated to constitute between 25%[8]–35%[5] of the total Buddhist population in New Zealand. The 2018 census counted 52,779 Buddhists in New Zealand.[9]

Year Percent Increase
2006 1.40% +0.20%
2013 1.50%[7] +0.10%
2018 1.13%[9] -0.37%

Contemporary Society

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According to a Survey done by Victoria University of Wellington in 2019, it was found that New Zealanders believe that Buddhists are the most trusted religious group in New Zealand. About 35 per cent of New Zealanders have complete or substantial trust in Buddhists.[10]

Buddhist temples

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There are many Buddhist temples and centres in New Zealand for New Zealand Buddhists to practice their religion, the largest being Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand in Auckland. Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple South Island in Christchurch's Riccarton Road opened in 2007; it was designed by Warren and Mahoney.[11][12] Closed after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the temple reopened in August 2016.[13]

The Bodhinyanarama Monastery in Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt was established in the 1980s,[14] with the monastery complex constructed in 1992.[15] Vimutti Buddhist Monastery was established near Bombay and Ararimu in rural southern Auckland Region in early 2000.[16] Both monasteries belong to the Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah.[17][18]

Wat Lao Buddharam in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, was constructed by Laotian refugees in 1989,[3] and Ratanadipa Buddhist Temple, a Burmese community temple, was established in 2002 by the Auckland Myanmar Buddhist Association.[19] As of 2021, there are nine Thai Buddhist temples across the country.[20]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Where to practise your religion | NauMai NZ". naumainz.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  2. ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Buddhists". teara.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  3. ^ a b c McAra, Sally; Mullins, Mark R. (8 December 2022). "Buddhism in Aotearoa New Zealand: Multiple Sources and Diverse Forms". Journal of Global Buddhism. 23 (2): 161–184. doi:10.26034/LU.JGB.2022.1996. ISSN 1527-6457. Wikidata Q123422786.
  4. ^ "Members | NZ Buddhist Council". www.buddhistcouncil.org.nz. Archived from the original on 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  5. ^ a b c Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Buddhists". teara.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  6. ^ Walker, Vanessa (July 21, 2007). "The Buddha Boom". Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2018 – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
  7. ^ a b Table 28, 2013 Census Data – QuickStats About Culture and Identity – Tables Archived 2017-11-22 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ "The 2013 Census and Religion" (PDF). royalsociety.org.nz. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  9. ^ a b "2018 Census totals by topic national highlights". Statistics New Zealand. Table 26. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  10. ^ "New survey reveals which religions New Zealanders trust most - and least - after Christchurch shootings". Stuff. August 7, 2019. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  11. ^ "International Buddhist Centre". Warren and Mahoney. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. ^ "NZ 'paradise on Earth'". The Press. 3 October 2007. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Go Guide August 5–12". The Press. 5 August 2016. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  14. ^ Wilton, Caren (5 May 2011). "Communes and communities - Religious and spiritual communities". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Bodhinyanarama Buddhist Monastery (1992)". Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  16. ^ Karunarathne, K.A.B. (23 February 2022). "Vimutti Monastery in Paparata". SriLankaNZ. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Bodhinyanarama Monastery". Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Vimutti Buddhist Monastery". Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Our History". Ratanadipa Buddhist Temple. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  20. ^ "กิจกรรมสวดมนต์ข้ามปี ณ วัดไทยในนิวซีแลนด์". Royal Thai Embassy, Wellington (in Thai). 13 January 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
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