Plaza Cam

Sharon R. Wesoky, Ph.D has been practicing Buddhist meditation for over 15 years. Born and raised in a Reform Jewish tradition, she regards Buddhist practice as a way to connect with an open heart as well as to consider how spiritual practice can help address questions of daily meaning as well as social and political belonging across different faith traditions. She holds a B.A. in Politics from Brandeis University, a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University, and is Professor of Political Science at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Her research and teaching center on Chinese feminism and comparative political philosophy, and she is the editor and chief translator of Chinese Modernity and Socialist Feminist Theory, a collection of writings by contemporary Chinese feminist theorist Song Shaopeng.

A Dharma student of Lodro Rinzler since 2014, Sharon has been a long-time member of his Buddhist Community as well as a graduate of his Mindfulness and Lovingkindness Teacher Trainings. Sharon graduated from Upaya Zen Center’s Buddhist chaplaincy training in March 2025, a program that combines academic study, Zen Buddhist practice, and socially-engaged activity. She is a volunteer meditation teacher at the Pennsylvania state women’s prison SCI-Cambridge Springs. Sharon looks forward to leading meditation at Chautauqua centered on the teachings and practices of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasizes the cultivation of compassion and wisdom both on and off the cushion.

Department of Religion