Buddhalainen

Buddhalainen is a Finnish term used to describe Buddhism-related things and people. It functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, buddhalainen describes beliefs, practices, or institutions connected to Buddhism, such as buddhalainen meditaatio (Buddhist meditation) or buddhalainen yhteisö (Buddhist community). As a noun, buddhalainen can refer to a Buddhist person: Hän on buddhalainen. The corresponding noun for the religion is buddhalaisuus. The word is formed from Buddha plus the Finnish suffix -lainen, in the same way as other religious descriptors such as kristillinen (Christian) or islamilainen (Islamic).

Buddhism in Finland is practiced by a minority and is represented by several traditions, including Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Zen and Tibetan lineages. There are meditation centers, temples, and study groups across major cities, and communities often participate in interfaith events and education. The Finnish Buddhist landscape has grown since the late 20th century through immigration and broader interest in meditation and mindfulness. The term buddhalainen is commonly used in Finnish media, academic writing, and everyday speech to refer to a Buddhist person or to things related to Buddhism.