Enlightened identities: Buddhism and Japanese Americans of California, 1924-1941

Buddhism enabled the second-generation Buddhist Japanese Americans of California, also called Bussei, to construct their identities as Japanese Americans during the years 1924-1941. Buddhist temples and affiliated organizations provided Bussei with avenues for community involvement. They promoted ethnic solidarity and helped Bussei cope with racial prejudices. As a survival strategy, Bussei selectively modified Buddhist terms and forms to make them mirror Protestant Christianity. The resulting Japanese American Buddhism which emerged from this offered the Bussei meaning and support.