Okay here is an attempt at outlining a possible timeline.
Step 1. The Lights of Asia (OTL)
The Light of Asia, subtitled The Great Renunciation, is a book by Sir Edwin Arnold. The first edition of the book was published in London in July 1879. In the form of a narrative poem, the book endeavors to describe the life and time of Prince Gautama Siddhartha, who after attaining enlightenment became The Buddha, The Awakened One. The book presents his life, character, and philosophy, in a series of verses. It is a free adaptation of the Lalitavistara. The book became immensely popular in the United States, going through eighty editions and selling more than 500,000 copies.
Step 2. Early Zen Buddhist Teachers (OTL)
In 1893, Soyen Shaku was invited to speak at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago. In 1905, Shaku was invited to stay in the United States by a wealthy American couple. He lived for nine months near San Francisco, where he established a small zendo in the Alexander and Ida Russell home and gave regular zazen lessons, making him the first Zen Buddhist priest to teach in North America. Shaku was followed by Nyogen Senzaki, a young monk from Shaku's home temple in Japan.
Step 3. Replace “Birth of a Nation” with “The Lights of Asia” (POD)
Reliance-Majestic Studios was an early American movie studio in Hollywood, California, originally built around 1914 at 4516 Sunset Boulevard. Within a few years, it became the home of D. W. Griffith and Mutual Film Corporation. Some rich patron impressed by the teachings of Soyen Shaku comes up with the idea to filming „The Lights of Asia“ and helps finance the project. It becomes a groundbreaking silent epic drama film directed and co-produced by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish and released in 1915s America. Over two hours long, the film was originally presented in two parts separated by an intermission; it was the first 12-reel film in America. It depicts the the life of Prince Gautama Siddhartha. The film was a commercial success, thanks to Griffith exploration of new cinematic techniques as well as tapping into people thirst for exotic, oriental wonders on screen…..
From here we should have a much better basis to make Buddhism more common in America’s households.