Shayne Clarke

Shayne Clarke’s research interests focus on Indian Buddhist monasticism, with particular reference to Buddhist monastic law codes (vinaya) preserved in Sanskrit, Pāli, Tibetan, and Chinese. His dissertation (UCLA, 2006), "Family Matters in Indian Buddhist Monasticism," reconsiders the role of the family in monastic Buddhism: relationships between monks and nuns, their families, children, marriages, and celibacy. Dr. Clarke has published on monastic codes and practice in ancient India and Tibet, as well as Tokugawa Japan. He is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at McMaster University and working on a number of projects related to the ordination of women (nuns) according to Buddhist monastic law codes and various Sanskrit fragments from the Mūlasarvāstivāda-vinaya. Recent publications include: “When and Where is a Monk No Longer a Monk? On Communion and Communities in Indian Buddhist Monastic Law Codes.” Indo-Iranian Journal (2009) 52/2-3, 115-141; “Locating Humour in Indian Buddhist Monastic Law Codes: A Comparative Approach.” Journal of Indian Philosophy (2009) 37/4, 311-330; “Monks Who Have Sex: Pārājika Penance in Indian Buddhist Monasticisms.” Journal of Indian Philosophy (2009) 37/1, 1-43.