Resumen

MAY MAY, Ezer R.. Why did I convert? Why did they convert? Soka Gakkai Buddhists in Mérida, Yucatán. Relac. Estud. hist. soc. [online]. 2016, vol.37, n.148bis, pp.205-241. ISSN 2448-7554.

The study of the presence of Buddhism in Mexico is still in its infancy, but one of the diverse forms of this religion is called Soka Gakkai (SG). The objective of this article is to elucidate the motives that led people in the city of Mérida, Yucatán, to convert to SG. To achieve this, it adopts a perspective both subjectivist and objectivist. Based on the study model developed by Marzal, we inquired into the forms of contact between converts and the organization, while also exploring the personal reasons that lie behind conversion, uncovered through socio-anthropological analysis. This allows us to comprehend the forms of integration of different Buddhisms in societies far from their land of origin.

Palabras llave : conversion; Buddhism; new religious movements; Soka Gakkai.