 Flag of Spain | |
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 300,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| ThroughoutSpain | |
| Religions | |
| Buddhism (Tibetan,Zen,Theravada) | |
| Languages | |
| Spanish andother languages |
Buddhism (Spanish:Budismo) is the fourth-largest religion inSpain.[2] The presence of Buddhism in Spain began in the late 1970s, brought from other parts ofEurope, especiallyFrance. Despite its short history in the country, Buddhism was recognized as a deep-rooted religious confession in 2007, under official consideration. This recognition implies its equivalence in recognition with most other established religions for legal, political, and administrative purposes. Much of the Buddhist tradition in Spain has grown out of the Buddhist Union of Spain, the Federation of Buddhist Organizations of Spain (Spanish:Unión Budista de España-Federación de Entidades Budistas de España; UBE-FEBE), which was established in 1990. The first schools in Spain were Zen (ofMahayana Buddhism) andKagyu (lineage ofTibetan Buddhism), and they have the largest community in the country today. There are dozens of Buddhist practising centers in the country. According to an estimation from 2018, there are around 90,000 followers ofBuddhism in Spain, with a total number of around 300,000 adherents if sympathizers are included.[1]
In Spain, the first study center for Buddhism was opened inBarcelona in 1977 and belongs to theKarma Kagyu school, propagated byAkong Rinpoche. In 1977, lamasThubten Yeshe andZopa Rinpoche came toIbiza, where they promoted the creation of a network of centers in theGelug school ofTibetan Buddhism.[1] In the spring of that year, a Buddhistdojo was founded inSeville byTaisen Deshimaru.[2] Later, more monasteries, temples, and retreat centers were built in selected locations, usually far from the big cities, such asDag Shang Kagyü.[1] This temple, founded byKalu Rinpoche, is one of the most important in Spain and is the center on which more than ten centers founded inHuesca in 1984.[1][2]
Sakya Tashi Ling is a monastery located near Barcelona, associated with theSakya school and founded in 1996. The Samye Dechi Ling monastery inCatalonia operates as a center for long-term retreats.[1]
In 2003 theEnlightenment Stupa was built as the final project of TeacherLopon Tsechu Rinpoche. At 33 m (108 feet) tall, it is the largest stupa in the West.[3]
International Centre for Buddhist Studies nearPedreguer in theAlicante region of Spain, is aSakya Buddhist monastery. It is managed by the Sakya Foundation and was formerly led bySakya Trizin. The resident teacher at the monastery isNgawang Lekshe Rinchen Gyaltsen [es].[4][5][6]
It was estimated in 2018 that inSpain there were about 100,000 Buddhists registered in study centers,[7] and 300,000 total adherents in the country including those who sympathize with Buddhism.[1]
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