Dr. Toole was born in Tachikawa, Japan. He lived in the nearby town of Fusa before returning to the United States with his family. After living in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin his family settled in the Chicago area, which he considers to be his true “hometown.” Some of his recent public and/or invited talks include: “Before Fodors There Was Xuanzang: Pilgrimage to India By The Book,” “Socially Engaged Buddhists & Aboriginal Australians,” “Dharma, Karma, and Samsāra: An Examination of Ancient Indian Concepts,” “Toward a Further Understanding of Extreme Asceticism and Athleticism,” “Vedantic Philosophy and Inception,” and “What Would Buddha Do? Reflections on Blind Turtles, Hamster Wheels, and Washing Dishes.” Dr. Toole looks forward to leading an upcoming student study trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam as an extension of his scholarship. Toole also serves as faculty advisor for the HPU PRIDE student organization and the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. Dr. Toole lives in Greensboro, NC, along with his two daughters.
Areas of Specialization:
Rituals and Philosophies of Japan
China and India
Comparative Religious Studies
Pilgrimage
Buddhist and Daoist Conceptions of the Environment
Courses Taught at HPU:
Honors Senior Symposium
Buddhist Traditions: Zen & Pure Land
Religions of Japan
Contemporary Buddhist Developments
Introduction to Buddhism – Honors
Sacred Experiences and World Religions – Honors
Asian Thought and Global Concerns – Honors
Religions of East Asia
Religions of South Asia
Human Images in World Religions
Eastern Philosophies and World Religions
Sages, Monks, and Ascetics
What is Consciousness?
Comparative Religious Responses
Pilgrimage through the Buddha’s India