Buddhism in the West

Over the last thirty-five years there has been an explosion of interest in Buddhism in Western countries. This is most obvious in the USA, where there are thousands of Buddhist centres and groups, and Buddhism is starting to have an effect on the mainstream of American society. However, Buddhism has also grown in the UK and across Europe. There are numerous Buddhist movements, not to speak of individual centres, each with its own teacher. There are many differences between countries, even within Western Europe, and there are tensions, disputes, and controversies within and between the various Buddhist schools. None the less it is clear that Buddhism has now arrived in the West and is here to stay.