Buddhism in Poland

Buddhism in Poland has its roots in the early 20th century, with connecting lines to countries of origin of Buddhism, namely China, Korea and Japan. After the Second World War, there were mostly Poles abroad in the U.S. and Europe, who had joined different Buddhist groups. Since the political changes of 1989, the Buddhism can develop in a somewhat more liberal climate.

Today in Poland, many of the main directions of both the Theravada, Mahayana (Zen, Shin ), and of Tibetan Buddhism are represented. Even Western forms, such as the FWBO, operating in Poland.

Umbrella organizations such as the "Buddhist Mission " ( Misja Buddyjska ) and the Buddhist Union of Poland, bringing more than two dozen Buddhist groups in contact with each other. In addition to communities of Vietnamese and Japanese Zen numerous groups of Korean Zen are active in many Polish cities. By far the most widely used (about 40 groups) find the Diamond Way centers of Lama Ole Nydahl.

In May 2000, a Buddhist department in the Pomeranian Library in Szczecin was opened by the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gytso. The end of 2005 involved the "Buddhist Mission " a major new center in Szczecin. The Buddhist Mission 2005 was also the host of the annual congress of the European Buddhist Union and the BTE Meeting ( Buddhist Teachers in Europe).

Despite government recognition of Buddhist groups as religious organizations, there are no exact figures on the number of Buddhists in Poland. It is estimated by well over 10,000.