ABSTRACT
Atlantic Canada is comprised of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Of the four provinces, Nova Scotia has the most substantial Buddhist representation, but the number of practicing Buddhists in the Atlantic region in 2004 would still only be about 2000 or 0.5 per cent of the total population (for sake of comparison, the Jewish population is about the same).1 Buddhism in Atlantic Canada is a relatively new phenomenon. It is largely associated with Shambhala International and some smaller Zen meditation centres. Ethnic Buddhism is present among Chinese, Vietnamese and Sri Lankan communities, but is not found outside of the principal metropolis of Halifax. By way of method, this chapter first reviews the background and continuing significance of ethnic Buddhism. It then focuses on Buddhist organizations that have Eastern roots but which cater almost entirely to Western devotees.
