Christopher Ives is Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College. Zen on the Trail draws from his love of hiking, eight years in Japan, interest in pilgrimage traditions around the world, and living in New England.
In his scholarship Chris focuses on ethics in Zen Buddhism, and currently he is working on Buddhist approaches to nature and environmental issues. His academic publications include “Resources for Buddhist Environmental Ethics” (Journal of Buddhist Ethics, 2013); Imperial-Way Zen: Ichikawa Hakugen’s Critique and Lingering Questions for Buddhist Ethics (2009); Zen Awakening and Society (1992); a translation of philosopher Nishida Kitarō’s An Inquiry into the Good (co-translated with Abe Masao, 1990); a translation of Hisamatsu Shin’ichi’s Critical Sermons of the Zen Tradition (co-translated with Tokiwa Gishin, 2002); The Emptying God (co-edited with John B. Cobb, Jr., 1990); Divine Emptiness and Historical Fullness (edited volume, 1995); and book chapters and articles in the Journal of Buddhist Ethics, the Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, the Eastern Buddhist, and elsewhere.
Originally from Litchfield, Connecticut, Chris received his B.A. in Psychology from Williams College and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from Claremont Graduate School. He currently resides in Watertown, Massachusetts.