John ChaFaculty

Associate Professor in Religion and Japanese Studies, and Department Chair in Sociology and Anthropology

Cha's teaching and research interests include Buddhist philosophy, Indian intellectual history, comparative philosophy, and inter-religious dialogue (primarily Buddhist/Christian dialogue).

Cha has recently presented the following papers: "Buddhist Intellectual History at the Crossroads of Theory" at the The International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities; "Reflecting Reality: Critical and Foundational Aspects of Indian Yogācāra Epistemology" at the American Academy of Religion annual meeting; "Causality and Its Cessation: The Process of Purification in Classical Indian Yogācāra Thought" at the 2nd Annual conference of the International Society for Buddhist Philosophy (ISBP); "The Problem of Identity and Difference in Indian Yogācāra Conceptions of Reality: Emptiness According to the Madhyanta-vibhaga and its Indic Commentaries" at the 1st Annual conference of the ISBP.

Cha's most recent publication is "Language Conceptualization and Awakening: On the Paradox of Discourse in Classical Indian Yogācāra", Journal of Cultural and Religious Theory, Vol 2 No. 3, 2001. At Gustavus since 1997.

Education

B.A., Quincy College, 1986; M.A., Ph.D., Northwestern, 1992, 1997


Courses Taught

REL-115 (World Religions), REL-235 (Zen and Japanese Culture), and REL-344 (ST:Yogic Philosophy in India)

Past
Synonym Title Times Taught Terms Taught
REL-115 World Religions 37 2022/FA, 2019/FA, 2019/SP, 2018/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/FA, 2002/SP, 2001/FA, 2000/FA, 2000/SP, 1999/FA, and 1999/SP
REL-235 Zen and Japanese Culture 18 2023/SP, 2022/SP, 2020/SP, 2019/SP, 2018/SP, 2017/SP, 2016/SP, 2015/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, 2008/FA, 2007/SP, 2002/FA, 2001/FA, and 1999/FA
REL-355 Buddhist Philosophy 18 2022/FA, 2021/FA, 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2016/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2011/FA, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2007/FA, 2004/FA, 2003/SP, and 2002/SP
JPN-399 Senior Thesis 10 2023/SP, 2022/FA, 2022/SP, 2021/FA, 2019/FA, 2019/SP, 2018/SP, 2017/SP, 2016/SP, and 2015/FA
REL-344 ST:Yogic Philosophy in India 9 2023/SP, 2022/SP, 2017/SP, 2016/SP, 2013/FA, 2012/SP, 2009/SP, 2000/SP, and 1999/SP
FTS-100 FTS:Interfaith Relatns 9 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2012/FA, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, 2001/FA, and 2000/FA
CUR-399 Senior Seminar 8 2023/SP, 2022/SP, 2021/FA, 2020/SP, 2018/SP, 2017/FA, 2015/SP, and 2014/FA
REL-244 ST:The Unseen God(s) 7 2022/JN, 2019/FA, 2015/FA, 2011/FA, 2008/SP, 2004/SP, and 2000/FA
NDL-200 Intercultural Issues 3 2006/SP, 2005/FA, and 2005/SP
REL-365 Hindu Philosophy 2 2020/SP and 2019/SP
REL-216 Buddhist Contemplation 2 2013/JN and 2009/JN
REL-125 Sanskrit I 2 2007/FA and 2003/FA
REL-117 Zen Martial Arts 1 2018/JN
PHI-344 ST:Hindu Philosophy 1 2016/SP
IDS-140 Martial Arts Phil/Prac 1 2012/JN
REL-135 Sanskrit II 1 2008/SP
REL-200 Indian Philosophy 1 2008/JN
IDS-247 Liberation Movements 1 2004/FA
IDS-246 Global Development 1 2004/FA
IDS-245 India Religion, Culture, and Society 1 2004/FA
IDS-243 Environment, Ecology, and Livelihood 1 2004/FA
REL-137 Sanskrit Language 1 2003/JN
REL-245 Mahayana Buddhism 1 2002/JN
REL-116 Japanese Shingon Buddhism 1 2000/JN
Courses prior to Spring semester 1999 are not displayed.