About Me

Welcome

Hello! I’m Andrew Burke, a graduate student in Buddhist Studies at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. My academic journey is rooted in exploring the rich traditions of Buddhism—especially Tibetan Buddhism—and sharing those insights with fellow seekers, scholars, and practitioners.

Why I built this site

Studying Buddhism at Harvard gives me access to world‑class faculty, vibrant lecture series, and a thriving community of scholars. At the same time, the Cambridge area hosts a lively network of meditation groups, dharma talks, and cultural events. I wanted a single place where I could:

• Document the courses I’m taking – syllabi highlights, key readings, and personal reflections.
• Track the public lectures and seminars I attend, with notes and recordings (when permitted).
• Map local Buddhist practices – weekly meditation sessions, study groups, and temple events in Cambridge and surrounding towns.
• Curate online resources – especially those focused on Tibetan Buddhism, such as digital libraries, podcasts, and scholarly databases.

The site is both a personal learning journal and a public resource for anyone interested in contemporary Buddhist scholarship and practice.

Academic focus

My research thus far has been broad, ranging from the Pali Canon of the Theravada School to Shingon Buddhism from Japan and the works of Kukai.   I have since settled on Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice, the study and transmission of tantric texts throughout Tibetan history, and the intersection of Buddhist philosophy with contemporary ethics. I’m particularly fascinated by how traditional teachings adapt to Western academic contexts and everyday life. Feel free to explore my “Classes” and “Lectures” pages for deeper dives into specific topics, course projects, and bibliographies.

Local Buddhist life (Cambridge & beyond)

Cambridge’s multicultural landscape offers a variety of Buddhist communities—from Tibetan sanghas to Zen meditation groups. On the “Local Practices” page you’ll find:

• Weekly meditation schedules (times, locations, and contact info).
• Upcoming dharma talks, workshops, and retreats.
• Short profiles of local teachers and centers.

I update this section regularly, drawing on announcements from university bulletin boards, temple newsletters, and community calendars.

Online resources – a Tibetan focus

Tibetan Buddhism boasts a wealth of digital material: translated scriptures, commentaries, audio teachings, and scholarly articles. My “Online Resources” hub gathers:

• Open‑access Tibetan text repositories (e.g., Buddhist Digital Resource Center).
• Podcasts and video series from renowned teachers.
• Academic databases and citation guides for research.

Each entry includes a brief description, relevance rating, and direct links.

Connect with me

• LinkedIn: Andrew Burke
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.burke.148553
• Email: dasipoint@proton.me

I welcome collaborations, questions about Buddhist studies, or suggestions for new resources.