Scott A. Mitchell

Scott A. Mitchell, Dean at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, discusses his groundbreaking book on American Buddhism. He reveals how second-generation Japanese Americans, the Nisei, shaped this religion's identity in the U.S. post-World War II. Mitchell highlights the significance of the Berkeley Bussei magazine and the roles of figures like Kanmo and Jane Imamura in establishing community and resilience. He also encourages a shift from traditional lineage metaphors to networked approaches in understanding Buddhist connections and calls for a hopeful future in scholarly work.