Benjamin Wood, PhD

My research considers Tibetan Buddhist narrative literature and Buddhist monastic history in Tibet. I am especially interested depictions of monastic life within sacred life writing, and my published work has focused on portrayals of childhood, economy, violence, and sexual misconduct.

My teaching covers a range of undergraduate courses, including world religions, Buddhism, method and theory in the study of religion, religious life writing, and Sanskrit.

Education

PhD, University of Toronto, The Study of Religion (focus: Tibetan Buddhism)

MA, SOAS, University of London, Buddhist Studies

BA, McGill University, Religious Studies

Recent Teaching

Instructor, Langara College, Vancouver B.C. (2017-present)

Instructor, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey B.C. (2018-present)

Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, St. Francis College, Brooklyn, New York (2013-2017) resigned voluntarily in good standing

Selected Publications

Translation: A Teaching on Dreams. 84000. Co-translated.

Article: “Coming to Terms with a Monk’s Seduction: Speculations on the Conduct of Sgra tshad pa Rin chen rnam rgyal (1318–1388).” Journal of Indian Philosophy, pp. 1–28.

Article: “The Childhood of Dorjé Sangwatsel (b. 1814) and the Theme of the Deficient Parent in Tibetan Hagiography.” Journal of Global Buddhism, vol. 16, pp. 157–179.

Article: “The Scrupulous Use of Gifts for the Saṅgha: Self-Ennoblement Through the Ledger in Tibetan Autobiography.” Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines, vol. 26, April 2013, pp. 35–55.

Study, Translation, and Critical Edition: “Misbehaviour and Punishment in a Paper Inscription at Zha lu Monastery: A Preliminary Report.” In C. Scherrer-Schaub and K. Tropper (eds.) Tibetan Inscriptions: Proceedings of XII Seminar of IATS. Leiden: Brill (Tibetan Library Studies Series), pp. 107–138.

Review: “Tibet on Fire: Buddhism, Protest, and the Rhetoric of Self-Immolation, by John Whalen-Bridge.” Journal of Global Buddhism, vol. 17, pp. 22–24.