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LEAD ARTICLE | EASTERN HORIZON 5

Buddha Dharma Association Sangha. From left to right: Gisele O’ttaviano (Lobsang Tsömo), Thais Maetsuka (Lobsang Tsering), Geovana Moretto
( Lobsang Sangmo), Fernanda Coelho (Lobsang Khandro), Nayara Costa (Lobsang Tsewang), Jonathan Raichart (Lobsang Chogni), Loyane
Ferreira (Lobsang Drolma), Estela Piccin (Lobsang Lhamo), Nirvana França (Lobsang Padma).

Benny Liow interviewed Cibele significantly expand the production have relatively good acceptance.
about her involvement in the of Dharma texts, with ongoing and There are Dharma centers and
Buddha Dharma and her thoughts accessible translations. Today, there temples, especially in large urban
on Buddhist concept of diet since is a sangha of monks and nuns with areas, in cities like São Paulo and
she is a qualified nutritionist and a international recognition. I am Rio de Janeiro in the Southeast and
Dharma practitioner. deeply grateful to be part of this other regions. However, it remains
process and to contribute to this unknown to many, particularly in
Benny: As Brazil is a history here in Brazil. rural areas or smaller towns.
predominantly Christian country,
how were you introduced to The Buddha-Dharma Association The resident population identifying
Buddhism? is home to two institutes: Pramāṇa as Buddhist is very small. The

and Tomasiano, which serve as 2010 Census indicated that Brazil
I had many questions about the platforms for interreligious dialogue had around 243,000 Buddhists,
human condition that Catholic between Buddhism and Catholicism. approximately 0.13% of the
theology could not fully address. Thanks to these initiatives, many population. Data from the 2022
Seeking answers that made more people are now able to study the Census on this subject has not yet
sense to me, I explored other Dharma through reliable sources been released.
philosophies and theologies. It while also exploring the theological
was then that my cousin, now my foundations of Catholicism. This The Zen and various branches
Kalyana Mitra Plinio Marcos Tsai, fosters dialogue, religious freedom, of the Tibetan tradition are the
invited me to attend a lecture given and peace in Brazil. most well-known. Zen became
by a Buddhist nun. After that class, I widely recognized due to Japanese
never looked back. How well accepted is Buddhism immigration to Brazil, which
in Brazil today, and which brought monks who established
Plinio Marcos Tsai founded the traditions or lineage are most centers and temples for the
Buddha-Dharma Association in popular in the country? immigrant community since the
2007-2008, and together with other early 20th century. Tibetan
co-founders, they made it possible to In Brazil, Buddhism can be said to Buddhism developed from the