Buddhism in Australia: Wellbeing, Belonging, and Social Engagement

This research project aims to undertake the first nation-wide, comprehensive study of Buddhism in Australia, from the 19th century to the present day, to provide new knowledge of this previously under-researched religion in Australia. In doing so, it also aims to decentre studies of Buddhism in Western societies from Europe and North America. It will employ mixed methods, including digital oral history interviews, cultural heritage case studies, and the first large-scale survey of Australian Buddhists. The findings of this study will be disseminated in academic outputs, scholarly and community events, and in a digital mapping educational resource, linked to the Australian curriculum. The project has five objectives, to:
1. Document the presence of Buddhism in Australia and the religious lives and activities of Australia's Buddhist migrants from the 1800s;
2. Identify the factors that enable or impede a sense of belonging of Buddhists in Australian society;
3. Analyse individual and organisational Buddhist contributions to health, wellbeing and social engagement in Australia;
4. Investigate the ongoing relationships that have been established between Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Buddhists in Australia;
5. Raise the profile of Buddhism in Australia, and increase religious literacy of Australians through the production of educational resources on Buddhism in Australia.