Cyber Zen ethnographically explores Buddhist practices in the online virtual world of Second Life. Does typing at a keyboard and moving avatars around the screen, however, count as real Buddhism? Cyber Zen explores how Second Life Buddhist enthusiasts form communities, identities, locations, and practices that are both a product of and authentic response to contemporary Network Consumer Society. Gregory Price illustrates that to some extent all religion has always been virtual and gives a glimpse of possible future alternative forms of religion.

Gregory Price Grieve is Professor and Head of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He researches and teaches at the intersection of digital media, Buddhism, and the theories and methods for the study of religion.

I. Introduction: "Logging on". Part One: "The Play between Creativity and Desire". II. Chapter One: "Liquid Salvation: A Walkthrough of Second Life Religion". III. Chapter Two: "Second Life Buddhism: The Desire for 'Real Buddhism in a Virtual World". Part Two: "Three Virtual Jewels: Self, Practice and Community". IV. Chapter Three:"Virtual Robes of Enlightenment: Fashioning a Buddhist Self in Second Life". V. Chapter Four: "Sitting on a Virtual Cushio: Second Life Buddhist Practice". VI. Chapter Five: "The Virtual Sangha: A Buddhist Cloud Community". VII. Conclusion: "Awakening in the Virtual World".