John Makransky

Associate Professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology, Boston College

John Makransky is associate professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College, senior academic advisor for Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s Centre for Buddhist Studies in Nepal, and the guiding meditation teacher of the Foundation for Active Compassion, a socially engaged organization that provides contemplative trainings for people in all areas of social service.   Makransky’s academic writings have focused on connections between concepts and practices in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, on adapting Buddhist contemplative practices for contemporary applications, and on theoretical issues in interfaith learning from a Buddhist perspective.  He has published numerous journal articles in Buddhist-Christian studies, as well as book articles, “Buddhist Inclusivism: Reflections Toward a Contemporary Buddhist Theology of Religions,” P. Schmidt-Leukel (ed.), Buddhist Attitudes to Other Religions 2008, and “Buddha and Christ as Mediations of Ultimate Reality: A Mahayana Buddhist Perspective,” and “Response to Dr. Schmidt-Leukel’s Theology of Religions,” in P. Schmidt-Leukel (ed.),  Buddhism and Christianity in Dialogue, 2005.  He is developing a book entitled Awakened Also by Religious Others:  A Buddhist Approach to Comparative Theology