In this talk, I will offer some critical inquiry into the challenges of thinking about globalism and multiculturalism and map out the terrain of key issues and questions that must be asked when addressing women in a global multicultural world. I will also discuss the implications of globalization and the transmission of Buddhism from the context of American Buddhism to highlight the ways that this rich tradition can sometimes become commodified, objectified and racialized. Finally, I will move from the specific U.S. context to a more international context to address the larger thematic concerns of the conference.