This book investigates the extent to which Buddhist traditions in the United Kingdom have adapted to Western cultural contexts while maintaining their original Asian doctrinal roots. Robert Bluck, a scholar of religious studies, utilizes extensive fieldwork and qualitative research to examine the evolution of seven major Buddhist groups operating within Britain. The text provides a comparative analysis of how these organizations navigate the tension between traditional practice and the requirements of a modern, secularized society.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the sociological landscape of contemporary Buddhism in the West. Readers frequently note the clarity of the author's methodology and the value of his primary source interviews in documenting institutional change.