30% of U.S. population Buddhist

[JimmyJimJam]

What PoDs could we have in the 19th century that would cause 30% of the US population to convert to Buddhism? What would this change in religion mean for the course of US history?

[Tyr]

Somehow tone down the racism to allow for more oriental immigration?
That could get you a few percent...
Beyond that though...You really need a earlier media to prove that buddhism is the only true 'religion'. Damaging people's faith in christianity would help too... Some big plague killing lots followed by a population boom?

[Straha]

In my in progress CSA TL due to more asian immigration I've got a 40% asian UJS in 2006... Dunno how to get 1/3 buddist..

[Max Sinister]

Some people of the counter-culture converted to Buddhism (since it's got the image of a peaceful religion, or because of the Dalai-Lama). Maybe if more of them did that step... though I can't see how, unless the US government makes a law that you can't be drafted if your religion forbids service in the armed forces.

If not, the only way is getting a lot of Buddhist immigrants - from China, Japan, SE Asia (in India, only very few people are Buddhist today).