Buddhism in Sweden

Many practicing Buddhists in Sweden have Asian (mostly Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese) heritage.

History

Evidence of Buddhism in Sweden dates back to the Viking era. A 6th century Buddha statue made of bronze and presumed to have been made in Kashmir was found at Helgö in Sweden.

One of the first texts in Swedish concerning Buddhism was Victor Pfeiff's translation of Edwin Arnold's Light of Asia, published in 1888 with the title Asiens ljus. The book is a story in verse about the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. The Swedish edition contained an introduction by Viktor Rydberg.

Among the first in Sweden who developed an interest in Buddhism were August Strindberg, Dan Andersson, Karin Boye, Harry Martinson and Kata Dahlström.