Svenska buddhismbilden : En kvalitativ innehållsanalys av buddhism i läroböcker för Religionskunskap 1

Western scholars have long sought to grasp the essence of and explain Buddhism. Western representation of Buddhism has been in a manner that reflects their concerns and interests. In addition to this it is also known that Buddhism in Sweden is seen in a favorable way. This study tries to locate where this positive attitude toward Buddhism stems from and if it is represented in this manner in Swedish textbooks. Therefore three textbooks of upper secondary class of religion are to be examined, not only to see if there is a positive attitude towards it, but to see in what manner Buddhism is depicted in Swedish schools on the whole. To achieve this, a content analysis that contains two different methods are conducted to approach the matter. The analysis shows that the chapters which regard Buddhism is depicted in an all together favorable way, with a focus on the life of the Buddha and his discipline, the doctrine. The authors try to de-emphasize aspects of the mythical and narrative dimension which can be conceived as strange in the west. Theravada is portrayed as “pure” Buddhism. Furthermore monks are mentioned in a more comprising way in comparison to nuns. To conclude Buddhism is depicted in a manner that reflects western values and interests