Asian Research Area
Asian Research Area
Our research explores various topics across Buddhist studies and the study of East Asian Religions. We also encourage a variety of approaches and methodologies.
Buddhism
We study Buddhist literature in Chinese, Japanese, Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan; Modern and Contemporary Buddhism in Japan; Medieval Chinese Buddhism; Buddhist thought; doctrine and practice in East Asian Buddhism. Various approaches and methodologies are encouraged, including textual, literary, social historical, art historical, sociological and anthropological.
East Asian Religions
Research covers a wide range of topics, including: Taoist canonical literature, the construction of Shinto, Chinese science, alchemy and medicine, the New Religions of Japan, the relationship of Buddhism with indigenous East Asian traditions (Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto), religion and modernity in East Asia and popular religion in East Asia as seen in literary works.
Researchers
James Benn
PhD
Professor, Religious Studies
Director, McMaster Centre for Buddhist Studies
Chair of Graduate Affairs, Religious Studies
