Throughout this presentation, we will turn to Buddhism in both the Asian immigrant and American convert communities to illustrate the concepts of religious identity and the role of religious community. We will first question whether religious identity is primarily inherited, chosen, or some combination of the two. By understanding how individuals construct their religious identities, we can more fully comprehend what religion represents to adherents and thus better understand religion's scope in America. We will then explore the need for a supportive community in order to reinforce these religious identities. An analysis of the interplay between social and religious functions in different communities will inform our discussion on how Americans maintain different religious identities within a pluralistic society
