Fabio Rambelli
Papers
1
Total Citations
41
H-Index
1
About
Fabio Rambelli is a leading scholar of Japanese Buddhism and intellectual history, whose work bridges material culture, media theory, and religious studies. His research centers on the intersections of Buddhism with technology, economics, and non-human agency, challenging conventional understandings of ritual practice. Rambelli’s most-cited paper, “Dharma Devices, Non-Hermeneutical Libraries, and Robot-Monks: Prayer Machines in Japanese Buddhism” (2018, 41 citations), illuminates the long history of mechanical devices—from prayer wheels to automated sutra-copying machines—within Japanese Buddhist traditions. He argues that these “dharma devices” function as non-hermeneutical tools for producing spiritual efficacy, reframing debates about technology and religion. His broader contributions include pioneering work on Buddhist materiality, the role of animals and objects in religious contexts, and the political economy of temples. A professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Rambelli has authored or edited over a dozen books, including *Buddhist Materiality* and *Zen Anarchism*. His interdisciplinary approach has reshaped how scholars understand premodern and modern Japanese religion, earning him recognition as a vital voice in global Buddhist studies.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1