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Costa Rica has moreBuddhists than the other countries inCentral America with almost 100,000[1] (2.34% of total population), followed closely byPanama, with almost 70,000 (2.1% of total population).
Buddhism was introduced in the country for the first time byChinese immigrants during the early 19th and 20th century, but an important part of these migrants later became --at least nominally--Roman Catholics due to the then veryConservativeCatholic-lead society. But there is evidence that some of them practiced their Buddhist beliefs discreetly, for example, the testimony of writerJorge Cardona of Buddhist altars among Chinese merchants in the early 20 centuryPuntarenas.[2] Another source of Buddhism in the country was theTheosophical Society, popular among important members of the economic and intellectual elite. Among the poets and theosophists that wrote Buddhist-influenced poetry areRoberto Brenes Mesén and José Basileo Acuña Zeledón. However one of the first Buddhist temples made in the country was the Casa Zen (Zen House) of Costa Rica created in 1974 with support of theJapanese government,[3][4] followed by the firstDharma Center ofTibetan Buddhism of the Gelug tradition founded in 1989 after theDalai Lama's first visit to the country.[citation needed]
In recent years there has been a tendency for growing dissatisfaction withCatholicism, the dominant religion. Some convert to other branches ofChristianity, most notablyProtestantism (with a growing number of Protestant churches throughout Costa Rica). But others stay asagnostics,atheists or "free thinkers". It is these latter groups, especially if already interested or practicing some form ofmeditation, that can become influenced or inspired by "exotic religions" (in Costa Rica) such as Buddhism and therefore convert to it, or adopt it as aphilosophy.
The fourtraditional schools ofTibetan Buddhism are present in Costa Rica.[2]
The best known and first group is the "Asociación Cultural Tibetano-Costarricense"[5] (Tibetan-Costarrican Cultural Association), which was established in 1989 CE after the first visit of the XIVDalai Lama,Tenzin Gyatso inLatin America. Years later, in 2004 CE, the XIVDalai Lama revisited Costa Rica.[6] He gave some discourses, including one in theUniversity of Costa Rica and took part in ecumenical activities that included Costa Rica's archbishop. The Dalai Lama's third visit planned for 2008 was cancelled after the Costa Rican government underOscar Arias Sánchez renewed relations with thePeople's Republic of China overTaiwan, resulting in soured relationships with the Buddhist community and criticism from the opposition. Opposition leaderOttón Solís publicly supported the Dalai Lama and promise to name the National Stadium in his honor in case he won the presidency.[7]
The ACTC runs theThousand Eyes Compassive Buddha Dharma Center located in Barrio Amón,San José City. This center is of theGelug tradition.
There is also a Lingmincha Center of theNyingma-Bon tradition.[8][9]
There is aSoka Gakkai center[10] operating in Costa Rica.
There are twoDiamond Way centers in Costa Rica, part of the group founded byOle Nydahl.[11] One was founded San José in 2010. The other was founded in 2022 and is located inSan Mateo, Orotina.[12]
The Casa Zen of Costa Rica center is located inSanto Domingo,Heredia.[13]
There are also temples ofTheravada Buddhism,[14]Shaolin[15] and aChinese BuddhistPagoda.[2]
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