Buddhism has spread in Europe and America for about 150 years. But Europeans' initial understanding of Buddhism can be traced back to 329 BC, when Alexander the Great of Greece invaded the Indus Valley. In 259 BC, King Ashoka of the Indian Peacock Dynasty sent a Buddhist mission to Greece to preach. In the Middle Ages, the original story of the Buddha was introduced to Europe by Muslim scholars in Central Asia, and it was widely popular in many places in Western and Eastern Europe. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia 1982, there are more than 2 10000 Buddhists in Europe, close to 19000 in North America and more than 500000 in South America. Most of them are descendants or expatriates of Asian immigrants, belonging to many factions of Mahayana Buddhism spreading from south to north. After Buddhism spread to Europe and America, in order to adapt to the local social life, there have been many changes in precepts and rituals.
From 65438 to 0826, French scholar Bunov and German Larsen co-authored Pali Grammar, which started the trend of studying Pali in the west. 1903, the first German monk, Sanjiezhi, became a monk in Yangon, Myanmar. Later, I went to Sri Lanka, studied Buddhism in the south, and paid attention to true knowledge and practice. He translated many Buddhist works, which were highly praised in language and literature.
During the period of 1893, the World Religious Conference was held in Chicago, attended by British Buddhist scholar Davis, Sri Lankan David Hewawitarne and Japanese Buddhist master Sejong. They introduced Zen and Buddhism to the throne.
It was not until 1965 that the first Buddhist temple in the United States, the Washington Buddhist Association, appeared to guide meditation, teach Pali and Sanskrit, publish books and periodicals, and set up a library. 1974, the second temple, the Tai Temple in Los Angeles, was born.
At the beginning of the 20th century, there were Buddhists in Britain, and the first monk was Beinert (known as Ananda Maitreya). 1898 went to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Myanmar to study Buddhism, and established an international Buddhist society in Myanmar. 1908, he sent a mission to England to preach, but failed.
1924, Judge Hong Feisi established a Buddhist center in the English spiritual order; Publishing "British Buddhism"; 1926 separated from the spiritual wisdom society, traded separately with the London Buddhist society, established branches in Denver, Edinburgh and other places, and changed the name of British Buddhism to the Middle Road. This association advocates the parallel of Mahayana and Mahayana, with many participants, which still has an important influence. 1926 David Hewawitarne of Ceylon went to London to preach and founded the London branch of Mahabodhi Society. This organization mainly promotes Buddhism from the south to the throne.