Buddhism in Cuba

Elements of Buddhism were introduced in Cuba along with the arrival of the Chinese since the mid-nineteenth century and the Japanese during the first half of the twentieth century. However, their religious traditions most generally remained inside the ethnic minorities.

From the 1990s, several Buddhist groups have been developing without any links to these communities but rather under the supervision of masters from Europe and the Americas. In this respect, there are two Soto Zen groups (Havana and Artemisa) which are connected to the International Sangha of Kosen Thibaut, a French follower of the Japanese master Deshimaru. A network of Vipassana sympathizers meets at Havana and occasionally offers courses and retreats on meditation. Eduardo Pimentel, a nationally renowned yoga instructor, promotes the Vipassana method according to the Burmese-Indian teacher, S.N. Goenka, and has connected Cuban practitioners with Buddhists from the Americas. Tibetan Buddhism is represented by a group...