Anne Mackenzie Pearson lived part of her childhood in India, where she acquired an interest in Indian culture and religions. She holds a PhD in religious studies from McMaster University, in Ontario, specializing in Hindu religious history, and taught for over two decades at McMaster and other universities in southern Ontario. Her areas of expertise include South Asian religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism); Gandhi and modern India; gender and religion; and the theory and practice of nonviolence. She was also a faculty member at the Wilmette Institute for many years, co-teaching courses on Hinduism and Buddhism (for ‘deepening and dialogue’), Gender Equality, and Interfaith dialogue and collaboration. A member of the Bahá’í Faith for much of her adult life, she has been active with organizations promoting interfaith dialogue and education. She has also served on many non-profit boards, and has been honored with several awards, including the 2024 YMCA Peace Medal. She lives in Dundas, Ontario with her husband, and enjoy visits with their adult daughters and grandchild.
2026 Courses
Interfaith Dialogue and Collaboration, Sept. 28-Nov. 22 with Ted Brownstein
2025 Courses
Introduction to Buddhism in Comparative and Baha’i Perspectives