David Kittay
David Kittay
David Kittay is a professor of philosophy, religion and technology at Columbia University whose courses have been described as “life-altering”. Additionally, he translates exoteric and esoteric Buddhist texts.
He serves on the board of Tibet House US and as President of the Tibetan Classics Translators Guild of New York. Additionally, he founded and directs Harlem Clemente Course for Humanities – an educational initiative that brings humanities education to underprivileged residents of Harlem.
Early Life and Education
Kittay was born in White Plains, New York and raised in Briarcliff Manor. She is the daughter of David and Mary Kittay; she has two brothers and one sister.
Kittay holds a degree in psychology and early education. Additionally, she has studied Buddhist philosophy and tantra, hermeneutic yoga, as well as consciousness studies.
Kittay has been teaching Eastern and Western philosophy, Buddhism, and religion at Columbia University since 2012. Her classes cover technology, religion, and the future; hermeneutic yoga; law and religion; as well as Tibet House US, Menla Retreat, and Dewa Spa.
Professional Career
Kittay is a trial and civil rights lawyer by profession, as well as serving as Federal Bankruptcy Trustee and receiver for the US Securities Exchange Commission. He holds an advanced diploma in translation studies and co-authored The Vajra Rosary Tantra – the first book to translate Tibet’s Book of Dead into English using hybrid technology that combines machine learning with linguistic algorithms.
Professor David Kittay is a Professor of Philosophy, Religion and Technology at Columbia University who has the distinction of translating some of the world’s most renowned exoteric and esoteric Buddhist texts. A specialist in legal ethics and compassionate lawyering, his works include The Harlem Clemente: New York’s Best Kept Secret for Good People; The Power of Compassionate Lawyering: Inspiring Change in the Law; as well as Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts about Contemporary Buddhism–which many consider to be the best book on Buddhism for kids.
Achievements and Honors
At Adelphi University, he pursued a business major and Spanish minor while captaining the men’s lacrosse team, joining Sigma Delta Pi, and acting in University theatre productions. Additionally, his strong work ethic was further developed through service on the campus police force.
He was able to seize opportunities that came his way, whether they were international business or political ventures, or an unexpected conversation with Ernest Hemingway. His ability to turn adversity into triumph has made him both a successful entrepreneur and esteemed member of Stony Brook University’s faculty.
He currently teaches philosophy and religion at Columbia, translating exoteric and esoteric Buddhist texts, as well as serving on the board of Tibet House US. Additionally, he is the author of Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts and The Vajra Rosary Tantra – both published by Wisdom Publications.
Personal Life
David Kittay is a professor of philosophy, religion and technology at Columbia University who also translates exoteric and esoteric Buddhist texts. Additionally, he founded The Harlem Clemente Course for Humanities and serves on the board of directors for Tibet House US.
He is an “inner-science adventurer” and the author of numerous books, such as The Vajra Rosary Tantra (Wisdom Publications). He currently teaches Religion courses at Boston University and Columbia University, such as “Technology, Religion, Future,” “Interpreting Buddhist Yoga: Hermeneutics East and West,” “Law and Religion,” and “Contemporary Civilization.” Additionally, he works as a trial and civil rights lawyer when not practicing law. In his free moments he loves writing poetry while playing tennis; reading books avidly; plus having two daughters – one with disabilities – to name just one!