There is a curious diversity in religion across America, with the overwhelming majority following the Christian faith. In many areas of the country, icons such as the cross or depictions of Christ are seen often, ranging from the front lawns of many Christian households to decorative touches found on some older public institutions. With this prominence represented so frequently in our daily lives through artwork and public display, it’s not a bad assumption to anticipate an under-representation of Buddhist icons in comparison to Christian ones.
The total number of Buddhists in North America is approximately four million, a very minute statistic, when compared to the total number of citizens who practice a particular religion, according to the Pew Research Institute. In the United States, the Buddhism hot-beds mainly reside in California, where many teaching centers of Buddhism exist. In other places, the practice of Buddhism is significant but less prominent, such as in Washington state. Buddhist icons are rarely seen there, even though the Pacific Northwest is one of the most diverse regions in the nation.
As I began my search for these icons in Washington, my recollection initially led me to businesses, such as restaurants and spas. Many spas used Buddhist iconography to imply a sense of serenity associated with meditation, often practiced by Buddhists. Within Thai restaurants, it’s common to see images of Buddha, since there is a strong representation of Thai Buddhism globally. After a couple days of scouring the Eastside of the Puget Sound region, which is, by no means, a conclusive investigation, a recurring theme of Buddhism became prominent. It became clear that the image of Buddha is not usually associated with religion but rather Buddhism’s emphasis on serenity.
Darren Yuet is a 17-year-old high school senior-to-be from Bellevue, Wash., with a passion for writing.
Finding Buddha: The Search for Local Buddhist Icons in Washington State
By Darren Yuet
Buddha located in spa section of Paule Attar Salon in Bellevue
Buddhist temple located in Redmond
image of Guan Yin, representative of Buddhist tradition