Buddhism has had a significant presence in Australia since the late nineteenth century. Yet until recently, relatively little research has focused on Buddhism in this continent, compared with the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
The first national survey of Buddhism in Australia shows the rich diversity of Buddhist traditions and practices, both off and online, and particularly high levels of wellbeing and belonging reported among respondents.
2,317 adults living in Australia (all aged over eighteen) completed the survey, investigating the experiences, beliefs, and rituals of Buddhists, and those who engage in Buddhist practices and ideas. The survey was available in seven languages: English, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Sinhalese, Thai and Vietnamese. Recruitment occurred through Buddhist temples, centres, organisations, community networks and social media across Australia.
Who are Australian Buddhists?
Almost three-quarters of respondents (73 per cent) were born overseas, with 27 per cent born in Australia. Respondents born overseas came from a wide range of countries from Asia, the UK and New Zealand, with Sri Lanka the most common. Indeed, large Sri Lankan, Japanese and Chinese communities first brought Buddhist symbols and practices with them to Australia in the mid-to-late 1800s, working in pearling, mining and agricultural industries, and the first Buddhist temple in Australia was established by a Sri Lankan community on Thursday Island in the 1880s.
The survey also reflects diversity in the Buddhist traditions represented. Theravāda was the largest tradition represented (45 per cent), followed by Mahāyāna (21 per cent) and Vajrayāna (11 per cent), alongside smaller groups, including secular Buddhists.
How does Buddhism shape their lives?
The overwhelming majority of respondents (88 per cent) both identify as Buddhist and engage with Buddhist ideas and practices, while much smaller percentages engage in Buddhism but are unsure (6 per cent) or do not identify as Buddhist (4 per cent).
The vast majority (83 per cent) had formally taken refuge, indicating a strong commitment to Buddhism. At the same time, just under two-thirds of respondents (63 per cent) describe Buddhism as their religion or faith, and just over one-third as part of their cultural identity (36 per cent), with far more viewing it as a guiding philosophy or worldview (74 per cent).
A strong theme emerging from an open-ended qualitative survey question is that Buddhism is seen as compatible with modern science, and that secular Buddhist practices, such as mindfulness, can benefit Australian adults and young people.
Meditation (65 per cent) and chanting or mantra repetition (63 per cent) are the most common practices undertaken weekly or more often, followed by reading Buddhist scripture (53 per cent) and contemporary Buddhist teachers (51 per cent). Around one-third (31 per cent) attend a Buddhist temple or centre weekly or more.
Given meditation’s prominence, we also examined how respondents learned to meditate. 84 per cent have received meditation instruction from a monk or nun. Still, many also learn through videos or podcasts (61 per cent), lay Buddhist teachers (56 per cent), contemporary books (56 per cent) and canonical Buddhist texts (42 per cent), suggesting that meditation is increasingly learned through a combination of traditional, digital and self-directed pathways.
Digital engagement extends beyond learning meditation to participation in Buddhist communities: 45 per cent participate in online Buddhist forums or communities daily or weekly, and 90 per cent find online platforms helpful for feeling connected to the Buddhist community.
The survey also examined how respondents were faring more broadly, including their wellbeing and sense of belonging in Australia. Respondents also completed the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, an internationally recognised measure of personal wellbeing over the previous two weeks. 87 per cent of respondents report wellbeing levels well above the WHO threshold of 50 per cent worldwide. High levels of wellbeing were accompanied by a strong sense of belonging in Australia, although many respondents also disturbingly report experiences of discrimination.
Most respondents report a strong sense of belonging in Australia (78 per cent), but experiences of ethnic discrimination are, unfortunately, also common, with only one-third (34 per cent) reporting they have never experienced discrimination because of their ethnicity. By contrast, two-thirds (65 per cent) report they have never experienced discrimination because of their religion.
Together, these findings suggest that respondents are more likely to encounter discrimination based on ethnicity than on their Buddhist identity.
Our survey findings, interviews and historical research uncover some common trends within Australia’s earliest and contemporary Buddhist communities. A diversity of traditions and cultural heritages from many Asian societies is evident. Buddhism has helped these migrant communities settle in Australia and maintain a connection with their traditions, which has positively affected their wellbeing.
Buddhists have shared their traditions with the broader Australian community — including celebration of festivals, practices of meditation and mindfulness, and in compassionate responsiveness to benefit others. They are also adaptable, embracing new media sharing of Buddhist teachings and practices.
Finally, Asian communities in Australia are facing issues of ongoing discrimination against them, yet their sense of belonging and wellbeing, supported by their Buddhist practices, remains strong in the face of these challenges.
Contrary to the myth of a “white Christian nation” and calls for assimilation, our project’s data shows the true worldview diversity of Australia, beginning with First Nations cultures, and then subsequent waves of migration from Asia, Europe and the rest of the world. Buddhism has sustained generations and continues to make a positive contribution to Australian society at large.
Source: ABC Religion & Ethics