Course Description

In this course we will explore the history, teachings, and practices of the main schools of Buddhism. We will do so by reading several works by pre-eminent teachers who have proven especially effective in introducing the religion to Westerners.

Schedule

Jan. 17 Preliminaries

Jan. 18 -31 Basic Buddhist Teachings

Yifa,Safeguarding the Heart: A Buddhist Response to Suffering and

September 11

Feb. 1-7 The Buddha and the Four Noble Truths

Donald Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, 19-27, 33-36, 37-59, 103-109, 206-213; “Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta” (Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Truth)

Feb. 9 Midterm 1

Feb. 10-28 South And Southeast Asian Buddhist Practice

“Bhaddekaratta Sutta” (A Single Excellent Night); “Vatthupama Sutta” (The Simile of the Cloth); “Satipatthana Sutta” (The Foundations of Mindfulness); “Upakkilesa Sutta” (Imperfections); Ven. Ajahn Tate, The Autobiography of a Forest Monk, pages 23-75, 170-175, 267-274; Sulak Sivaraksha, Seeds of Peace 57-92, 102-116

March 1-7Monastic and Lay Life

Donald Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, 130-165, 167-179, 194-204;

“ Bhikshu Pratimoksa”

March 9 Midterm 2

March 11-19 Spring Recess

March 21- April 6East Asian Traditions: Chan/Zen and Pureland

Donald Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, 27-33, 59-101, 117-128, 188-193, 230-252; “Heart Sutra”; “The Bodhisattva of Compassion”; “Lotus Sutra”; Master Hsu Yun's Discourses; Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind; “Vimalakirtinirdesa Sutra”

April 11 Midterm 3

April. 12--May 2 Tibetan Buddhism

Donald Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, 213-230; Buddha’s Lions; Autobiography of the Dalai Lama, 204-220; Ethics for the New Millennium, 161-199; Jarvis Masters, Finding Freedom

May 4Final Exam

Course Requirements

Attendance and Participation (10%)

Students are expected to come to class regularly and to display engagement with the material. Everyone will participate in full-class and small group discussions.” Students should miss no more than three classes.

Midterm Tests (3 X 20% each = 60%)

There will be three midterm tests given in this course: February 9, March 9, and April 11. Each test may incorporate take-home and/or in-class elements and may include multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and/or essay. There are no make-ups given for these tests except for verified family or medical emergencies.

Final Exam (30%)

The final exam for this course will take place May 4, 10:15-12:15. This test may include multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and/or essay. There are no make-ups given except for verified family or medical emergencies.

Grade Scale

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

<60 F

Required Texts

Lopez, Donald. The Story of Buddhism: A Concise Guide to Its History & Teachings

Masters, Jarvis Jay. Finding Freedom: Writings from Death Row

Yifa.Safeguarding the Heart: A Buddhist Response to Suffering and September 11

Chandler, Stuart. “RLST 220 Reader”