Buddhism
Groups that practice Buddhism in the United States include the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai immigrants. According to a 2007 poll conducted by the CIA, Budhism is the fourth largest religion in the United States. Buddhism started in the United States in the 19th century when the first Buddhist immigrants arrived from Asia. The first Buddhist temple was built by Chinese Americans in San Francisco in 1853.
This Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, CA is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the United States.
According to a list of Buddhist temples in the United States, most of them are located in California, Texas, Illinois, and Florida.
Zen Buddhism
Zen Buddism is Buddhism that is praticed mostly in China. Using some of Buddhism's ideas, Zen Buddhism is somewhat different than Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is divided into five houses or schools.
Most Zen lineages throughout Asia and the rest of the world originally grew from or were heavily influenced by the original five houses of Zen. These Five houses were: Guiyang, Linji, Caodong, Yumen, and Fayan. Zen Buddhism focuses on meditation. Zen Buddhism says all humans can become enlightend.
