As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism who studies how and why deities transform over time, I see the Laughing Buddha as a key figure that shows how people have adapted Buddhism to different cultural ...

With his delighted expression, round belly, bald head and monastic robes, the“Laughing Buddha” is instantly identifiable. However, astute observers ...

In total, one-third of Asian Americans express at least some connection to Buddhism. 8 Asian Americans of Southeast Asian origin are the most likely to actually identify as Buddhist. This includes 37% ...

Firecrackers. TikTok. Anime. K-pop. Two of the largest world economies. Some of the longest-lasting civilizations. A quarter of the world population. East Asia is confronting some of the world’s most ...

By some measures, East Asia seems like one of the least religious regions in the world. Relatively few East Asian adults pray daily or say religion is very important in their lives.And rates of ...

(UPDATED) Pew survey of more than 10,000 adults in Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam examines Christians’ and Buddhists’ beliefs, practices, and affinity to other traditions.