Robert Sharf

Robert Sharf was an influential scholar of Asian religious traditions, particularly Buddhism. He emphasized that understanding these traditions requires examining their historical and cultural contexts rather than relying solely on texts or oral teachings. Sharf argued that practices and beliefs are shaped by the social environments in which they develop, and that interpretations change over time. His approach encourages a nuanced study that considers lived experience and tradition's evolving nature, helping us better understand how religious ideas are formed, transmitted, and adapted across different societies.