The Author: John M. Thompson is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. He earned his Ph.D. in the historical and cultural study of religions from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Although specializing in Buddhism and Chinese traditions, Dr. Thompson has broad interests in the fields of religion, theology, and philosophy, and has published widely in both scholarly and popular venues. His most recent book, a basic introduction to Buddhism, is part of a six-volume set on the world’s religions.

The Author: John M. Thompson is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. He earned his Ph.D. in the historical and cultural study of religions from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Although specializing in Buddhism and Chinese traditions, Dr. Thompson has broad interests in the fields of religion, theology, and philosophy, and has published widely in both scholarly and popular venues. His most recent book, a basic introduction to Buddhism, is part of a six-volume set on the world’s religions.

The Author: John M. Thompson is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. He earned his Ph.D. in the historical and cultural study of religions from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Although specializing in Buddhism and Chinese traditions, Dr. Thompson has broad interests in the fields of religion, theology, and philosophy, and has published widely in both scholarly and popular venues. His most recent book, a basic introduction to Buddhism, is part of a six-volume set on the world’s religions.