Constance Kassor Ph.D. is an assistant professor of Religious Studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she teaches courses on Buddhist thought and Asian religious traditions, with a special interest in how Buddhism relates to questions of social justice and gender. She is the creator and voice of Religious Lessons from Asia to the World, a ten-part program on Audible. For more information visit constancekassor.net
Constance Kassor
Recent Articles
Breathing Mindfulness: Discovering the Riches at the Heart of the Buddhist Path
Read a review of Sarah Shaw’s Breathing Mindfulness: Discovering the Riches at the Heart of the Buddhist Path, published by Shambhala Publications.
Buddhist Masters of Modern China: The Lives and Legacies of Eight Eminent Teachers
Read a review of Buddhist Masters of Modern China: The Lives and Legacies of Eight Eminent Teachers edited by Benjamin Brose, published by Shambhala Publications.
Orient: Two Walks at the Edge of the Human
Read a review of Orient: Two Walks at the Edge of the Human, by David Hinton, published by Shambhala Publications.
The Roots of Goodness: Zen Master Dōgen’s Teaching on the Eight Qualities of a Good Person
Read a review of The Roots of Goodness: Zen Master Dogen’s Teaching on the Eight Qualities of a Good Person by y Eihei Dogen Zenji, commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi, translated with an introduction by Daitsu Tom Wright, plus an excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Shambhala Publications.
Readings of the Gateless Barrier
Read a review of Readings of The Gateless Barrier, the new book by of Jimmy Yu (Guo Gu), plus "What Is a Gong-an?", excerpted and shared courtesy of its publisher, Columbia University Press.
From Eternity to Eternity: Memoirs of a Korean Buddhist Nun
Read Constance Kassor's review of Bulpil Sunim's From Eternity to Eternity: Memoirs of a Korean Buddhist Nun.
Diligence: The Joyful Endeavor of the Buddhist Path
Read a review of the new book by Dzigar Kongtrul, and an excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Shambhala Publications.
The Buddha’s Gift to the World: A Practitioner’s Guide to the Roots of Mindfulness
Read a review of Martina Draszczyk's new book, plus an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Shambhala Publications.
Tsongkhapa: The Legacy of Tibet’s Great Philosopher-Saint
Constance Kassor reviews a new collection of perspectives on Tsongkhapa's contributions to Buddhist thought. Included is an excerpt by Thubten Chodron, courtesy of the book's publisher.
Storehouse of Treasures: Recovering the Riches of Chan and Zen
Read a brief of Storehouse of Treasures: Recovering the Riches of Chan and Zen by Nelson Foster, and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Shambhala Publications.
Paranormal States: Psychic Abilities in Buddhist Convert Communities
Read a brief of Paranormal States: Psychic Abilities in Buddhist Convert Communities by D.E. Osto, and an exclusive excerpt courtesy of its publisher, Columbia University Press.
Buddhadharma on Books: Summer 2024
Constance Kassor reviews the latest in Buddhist books, including The Jhanas, Buddhism Between Religion and Philosophy, and more.
Buddhadharma on Books: Spring 2024
Constance Kassor reviews "The Sound of Vulture’s Wings" by Jeffrey W. Cupchik, "The Kalachakra Mandala" by Edward Henning, "Xuedou’s 100 Odes to Old Cases" by Steven Heine, and more.
Buddhadharma on Books: Winter 2023
Constance Kassor reviews “Notebooks of a Wandering Monk” by Matthieu Ricard, “Illumination” by Rebecca Li, “The Buddhist Tantras” by David B. Gray, and more.
Can We Know Others’ Worlds?
Constance Kassor reviews "Other Lives: Mind and World in Indian Buddhism," by Sonam Kachru.
Patience Isn’t Passive
Constance Kassor explains why patience isn’t a passive tolerance of harm. Instead, patience requires a recognition of the deep interconnectedness of the world and an active engagement with it.