| The 1970s were a particularly fertile time for Eastern conversion. What was the experience of the young people in the post-countercultural, post-Vietnam War era that drew them to Eastern gurus and Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi and Sikh initiation? What was their experience as converts? What values and lifestyle changes did they make? What was their relationship to the teachers and "imported" religious traditions?;The thesis chronicles the history and evolution of seven Minnesota groups of Eastern persuasion through the 1970s and early 1980s. The groups are: the Sufis, Divine Light Mission, Satsang, Meditation Center, East West Macrobiotics, Tibetan Buddhist Center, and Minnesota Zen Center.;The thesis describes the converts, what they learned and participated in, the beliefs and values they were exposed to, and the behaviors and values the teachers offered by way of example. The thesis also describes the deconversion process and the converts who made lasting commitments to the teacher and tradition. It also explores the impact of Eastern religions on the cultural and religious life of the Twin Cities.;The thesis places Eastern conversion in the context of the Vietnam War decade and the 19th and early 20th Century backgrounds of Eastern religions in America and outlines the process by which they became viable religious options. The framework of analysis is provided by the essential ingredients of Eastern religious: Buddha or Guru (teacher), Dharma (scripture and/or doctrine), and Sangha (community or inner group). The thesis demonstrates that it was not until the late 1960s and early 1970s that all three ingredients were in place, because until then sustained communities had not been organized in the Twin Cities.;Primary research included anthropological participant observation, interviews of group leaders and converts, and the gathering and study of literature used by the groups. Secondary resources included the literature on the psychology of conversion, historical backgrounds on Eastern religious traditions, and Religious Studies literature on experiential religions. Interviews provided access to oral history as well as psychological insight into the relationships between converts, groups and leaders. Thirty-eight transcripts of interviews are included. |
