Joseph Walser

Joseph Walser is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Tufts University, located in the School of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD from Northwestern University (1997), an MTS from Emory University (1991), and a BA from Carleton College (1989). His research focuses on Mahayana Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and religious traditions in early South Asia, with particular attention to Chinese religions and the anthropology, philosophy, and sociology of religion.

Walser’s teaching portfolio includes courses on Buddhism, yoga history, Tibetan Buddhism, and independent studies. His publications span monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles addressing topics like Mahayana origins, Nagarjuna’s philosophy, and the socio-cultural context of early Indian religions. Notable works include Genealogies of Mahāyāna Buddhism (2018) and Nagarjuna in Context (2005).

His research methodologies emphasize textual analysis, comparative religious studies, and historical contextualization. Walser has contributed to debates on Buddhist anti-Brahmanical tendencies, the classification of religious traditions, and the interplay between scriptural authority and cultural practice. He maintains active engagement with academic discourse through conference presentations and peer-reviewed contributions.