Christopher Thane Callahan

Christopher Thane Callahan is a scholar of Japanese religions and Buddhism affiliated with the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies at the University of Illinois, where he serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Religious Studies, Harvard University
• M.A. in Asian Religions, University of Hawaii
• M.A. in Japanese Literature, University of Hawaii
• B.A. in Philosophy, Washington and Lee University

His research focuses on Japanese religious traditions, particularly Pure Land Buddhism, and explores intersections of doctrine, ritual, and visual culture. He teaches courses on Japanese religion in media, introduction to Japanese culture, and advanced topics in Buddhism.

Callahan’s recent publications examine the historical and doctrinal evolution of Pure Land practices, including analyses of foundational texts like Kakunyo’s Hōon kōshiki and the Pure Land section of the Qixinlun. These works reflect his broader interest in how Buddhist traditions adapt across cultural and historical contexts.

Contact:

• Email: ctc@illinois.edu
• Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30-5:30pm in LCLB 2047
• Address: 707 S Mathews Ave, 2090 FLB, MC-173, Urbana, IL 61801
• Phone: 217-244-1432