Publication Date

2023

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Ledgerwood, Judy

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Anthropology

Abstract

Theravada Buddhism has been practiced among Cambodian refugees in the United States since the mid-1970s. In Chicago, the Cambodian community built a temple in which to practice their religion after founding the Cambodian Association in 1976. There have been two temples in the Chicagoland suburbs and metropolitan area. They have demonstrated respect for and embodied the preservation of their traditions and identity in a new environment through the accomplishments and ideals they uphold today. My research topic is “Buddhism and its role in Khmer Chicagoland: To be Khmer is to be Buddhist.” My research questions are: why do Cambodians in the U.S. strive to re-establish their identity and Buddhist temples while they could decide to live as Americans? How does religion play an important role in confirming their identities? To what extent can The Buddhist institutions spread that knowledge, and what measures are taking place to maintain and preserve Cambodian identities and traditions?The significance of Buddhism for Cambodian Americans is examined in this study. I explore the rationale behind the beliefs and demonstrated how their religious affiliation is a significant indication of their Khmer identity. I also collect opinions from Cambodians of all generations and the monks in the temples to hypothesize on the viability of these customs. To address those research questions, I employ a qualitative methodology that includes participant observation, and formal and informal interviews with various generations of Cambodians in Chicago. I interview monks, Achar (lay officiants), temple workers, and members of the temple association. Ethnographic data enables me to demonstrate how meaningful Buddhism is to Cambodian Americans. Finally, I conclude that Cambodian Buddhism can be maintained by Cambodian monks and practitioners, adapting to the American cultural context.

Extent

163 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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