Richard S. Cohen

Richard S. Cohen is Associate Professor of South Asian Religious Literatures at the University of California San Diego, where he has been affiliated with the Department of Literature since completing his PhD in Buddhist Studies at the University of Michigan in 1995. His academic journey began with BA and MA in Religious Studies from Wesleyan University.

His research focuses on:

• Buddhist Scriptural Analysis: Particularly examining authority articulations in 5th-century CE texts like The Splendid Vision in which One Observes Living Beings and Reveals Buddha Fields through the Empowerment of All Tathagatas
• Wisdom Theory: Developing frameworks for analyzing wisdom-claims through Buddhist concepts like the Four Immeasurables to create non-theological political wisdom models
• Religious Authority Critique: Challenging traditional power structures in South Asian religious contexts

His publications reveal trends in:

• Buddhist textual evolution across South Asia
• Artistic-religious interplay at sites like Ajanta
• Dynastic religious community formation
• Modern reinterpretations of ancient religious concepts

Scientific Recognition:

• Hellman Fellowship: UCSD's prestigious early-career award

While currently without formal student advisors listed, his work bridges religious studies with critical theory, influencing both academic and public understandings of Buddhist modernity and institutionalization processes.