Glenn Wallis

I hold a Ph.D. in Buddhist studies from Harvard University. My training was mainly philological, concentrating on Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan Buddhist literature. For a long time, I have been concerned with how to make classical Buddhist literature, philosophy, and practice relevant to contemporary life. So, much of my work stems from that concern.

I have written books and articles on various aspects of continental philosophy, Buddhism, radical education theory, and anarchism. Some of this work is intended for the public, some is more specialized.

My recent work is best summed up in the title of my books: A Critique of Western Buddhism: Ruins of the Buddhist Real. (The book is open access, which means you can read it for free.) This critique draws from François Laruelle's non-philosophy. The blog I founded in 2011, Speculative Non-Buddhism, contains many essays, by me and others, that reflect this critical direction. My tract Non-Buddhist Mysticism: Performing Irreducible and Primitive Presence is an example of what I would like to see more of in the world: buddhofiction.

My book An Anarchist's Manifesto signals my intention of bringing anarchist values to bear more explicitly on my work.

Before leaving academia to be an independent scholar, I taught in the religion departments of several universities, including the University of Georgia (where I received tenure), Brown University, Bowdoin College, and the Rhode Island School of Design.

My most recent book, Nietzsche NOW! The Great Immoralist on the Vital Issues of Our Time is out now.