Gregory Schopen, Professor of Asian Languages and Cultures and
one of the world's leading authorities on Buddhism, has
shattered many myths, notably the notion that Buddhist monks in
ancient India renounced money and property. Well-versed in
Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali and Tibetan, Schopen probably knows more
about classical Buddhism than the entire line of reincarnated
Dalai Lamas, and it's no wonder that his work has significantly
altered the way other religions are Partly because of popular
culture, it's hard to imagine the Buddha as anything other than
a great sage, "seated in what appears to be serene and deep
meditation," or surrounded by students craving enlightenment,
said Schopen. Neither image suggests that the Buddha, who taught
that "all things are impermanent," might, in fact, be "pondering
how to avoid paying custom duties and taxes" — or that he might
well be teaching his followers "how to write a loan contract and
not make unsecured loans." In his talk, Schopen illuminates a
little-known aspect of