ProfessorJTan@gmail.com
Grading Policy
Religion: News Resources
Library Research Resources
All Things Religion Blog
Return to:
Course Portal Menu
FALL SEMESTER 2010
THEO 368-01 Mon, Wed & Fri 10:30-11:20 a.m. (Hailstones 3)
THEO 368-02 Mon, Wed & Fri 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. (Hailstones 3)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
|
THEO 368 Buddhism Syllabus
Grading Worksheet
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
BAVSI: Damien Keown, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction
BEAVSI: Damien Keown, Buddhist Ethics: A Very Short Introduction
EB: Ruben Habito, Experiencing Buddhism: Ways Of Wisdom And Compassion
HB: Ruben Habito, Healing Breath: Zen for Christians and Buddhists in a Wounded World
Hooked: Stephanie Kaza, Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume
ROADMAP: Summary of Principal Points in Buddhism
FOR FURTHER REFERENCE:
Buddhism: News & Multimedia Resources
New York Times Articles About Buddhism
-
Aug 25: Welcome & introduction to the course
No assigned readings for today's class. -
Aug 27: Introduction to Buddhism
REQUIRED READINGS: BAVSI, pp. 1-14; EB, pp. 1-4
We will be watching the video documentary, Footprint of the Buddha (from the acclaimed BBC Classics series, "The Long Search") in class today. This documentary is also available for loan from Xavier University Library: BL80.2.L64 2001 Disc 2 (DVD) -
Aug 30: Life of Buddha Sakyamuni
REQUIRED READINGS: BAVSI, pp. 15-28; EB, pp 7-34
POWERPOINT SLIDESHOW: The Life of Buddha Sakyamuni
FULLTEXTS OF ASVAGOSA'S BUDDHACARITA ("ACTS OF THE BUDDHA") [2nd century CE]:
English translation of the original Sanskrit version (cantos 1-13)
English translation of Dharmaraksa's Chinese translation (420 CE): Site #1 or Site #2
FULLTEXTS OF THE JATAKA TALES:
Jataka Vol. 1 of 6 (English translation of traditional version)
Jataka Vol. 2 of 6 (English translation of traditional version)
Retelling of selected popular stories from the Jataka in simple English
-
Sep 1: Four Ennobling Truths: Path to Well Being
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BAVSI, pp. 44-56
(2) EB, pp. 35-40
(3) HB, pp. 1-18
(4) The Suffering of Self (by Professor David Loy)
Class Outline: Suffering & its Causes
Class Outline: Path to Liberation
FOR FURTHER READING:
Lotus Therapy (New York Times, 27 May 2008)
FULLTEXTS OF SUTRAS:
Fulltext of the Four Noble Truths/Noble Eightfold Path
-
Sep 3: Karma and Rebirth
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BAVSI, pp. 29-43
(2) The Problem with Karma (by Professor David Loy)
Class Outline: Karma, No-Self, Rebirth
- Sep 6: Labor Day - No Class.
-
Sep 8: The Three Marks of the Dharma (Impermanence. Dissatisfactoriness. Selflessness). Interdependent Arising.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 40-55.
(2) King Milinda and his Chariot [NB: Click here to read the passage in its original scriptural context (first part of Book II, Chapter 1, 25-28)]
Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
Five Skandhas
DR. JILL BOLTE TAYLOR'S POWERFUL STROKE OF INSIGHT:
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's Official Website
FOR FURTHER READING:
The Three Poisons, Institutionalized (by Professor David Loy)
FULLTEXTS OF ANCIENT BUDDHIST WRITINGS:
Questions of King Milinda
-
Sep 10: The Sangha. Early Disciples. The Way of the Arhat.
REQUIRED READINGS: EB, pp. 68-71, 74-79 -
Sep 13: Theravada Buddhism
REQUIRED READINGS: EB, pp. 93-107 -
Sep 15: Mahayana Buddhism, I: Introduction
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BAVSI, pp. 57-69.
(2) EB, pp. 72-74.
(3) Class Outline: Mahayana Buddhism
(4) Three Types of Practitioners in Mahayana Thought
(5) Sevenfold Meditation On Compassion (Tibetan Buddhist Tradition)
FULLTEXT OF THE LOTUS SUTRA:
English Translation by Burton Watson
English Translation by the Buddhist Texts Translation Society
-
Sep 17: Mahayana Buddhism, II: Emptiness. The Path of the Bodhisattva. The Way of Compassion. Mahasiddhas. The Laity.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 55-66, 79-82, 85-88.
(2) Class Outline: Nagarjuna and the Madhyamika School of Early Mahayana Buddhism
(3) Class Outline: Eight Consciousnesses in Yogacara Thought
FULLTEXTS OF THE HEART OF PRAJNA PARAMITA प्रज्ञापारमिताहृदय SUTRA (般若心經):
Buddhist Texts Translation Society: Site #1 Site #2
Longer Heart Sutra
Shorter Heart Sutra
English Translation by Edward Conze
Chinese-English Bilingual Version (Buddhist Texts Translation Society)
FULLTEXTS OF THE VIMALAKIRTI NIRDESA विमलकीर्ति-निर्देश-सूत्र SUTRA (維摩經):
English Translation by Robert Thurman: Site #1 Site #2
REMINDER: Please e-mail your Paper #1 (Compare and contrast the worldview and ethical teachings of Buddha Sakyamuni with your own ethical worldview) to ProfessorJTan@gmail.com by 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, 17 September 2010. -
Sep 20: Buddhism in Asia
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BAVSI, pp. 70-83
(2) Buddha's Caves (New York Times, 6 July 2008). Click here for the web version of this article.
(3) Slideshow: The Caves of Dunhuang (New York Times)
(4) Class Outline: Transmission of Buddhism into China
MORNING SERVICE:
EVENING SERVICE:
JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE (SHANGHAI):
FO GUANG SHAN MONASTERY (TAIWAN):
-
Sep 22: Tibetan Buddhism
REQUIRED READINGS: EB, pp. 131-150
THE 17TH GYALWANG KARMAPA, OGYEN TRINLEY DORJE SPEAKS ON TED:
His Holiness the Karmapa talks about how he was discovered to be the reincarnation of a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism. In telling his story, he urges us to work on not just technology and design, but the technology and design of the heart.
(Thanks to Paige Natoli for recommending this video) -
Sep 24: Pure Land Buddhism
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 151-171
(2) Smaller Pure Land Sutra (English translation only)
(3) Larger Pure Land Sutra (Bilingual: Chinese/English)
(4) FOR COMPARISON: Bhagavad Gita. Please read chapter 18 in its entirety and compare this chapter to both Pure Land Sutras.
(5) Class Outline: Pure Land Buddhism
(6) Class Outline: Japanese Pure Land Buddhism
Explanation of the Pure Land Mandala
SUTRA FULLTEXTS: PURE LAND BUDDHISM
Smaller Pure Land Sutra (English translation only)
Larger Pure Land Sutra (Bilingual: Chinese/English)
JODOSHINSHU IN THE U.S.: Buddhist Churches of America
FOR FURTHER RESEARCH:
Research Resources on Pure Land Buddhism
ICONS & CHANTING THE NAME OF THE BUDDHA AMITABHA:
-
Sep 27: Zen Buddhism, I: Introduction
REQUIRED READINGS: BAVSI, pp. 84-96
We will be watching the video documentary, The Land of the Disappearing Buddha (from the acclaimed BBC Classics series, "The Long Search") in class today. -
Sep 29: Zen Buddhism, II: The Zen Experience
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 108-130
(2) Class Outline: Chan (Zen) Buddhism
SUTRA FULLTEXTS: ZEN
Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (translated by Philip Yampolsky [1967])
THE ZEN MIND:
ZEN IN JAPAN:
SHAOLIN TEMPLE (CHAN BUDDHISM) WARRIOR MONKS:
FOR FURTHER RESEARCH:
Zensite: Research Resources on Zen (Chan) Buddhism
-
Oct 1: Zen Spirituality, I: Tasting & Seeing: The Zen Way of Life. Listening to the Breath.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) HB, pp. vii-x, 19-55
(2) Ruben L.F. Habito. In Memoriam: Yamada Koun Roshi (1907-1989) Buddhist-Christian Studies 10 (1990):231-237.
(3) Beginning Zen Meditation (courtesy of Maria Kannon Zen Center)
(4) Zazen: Zen Sitting Meditation and Posture (courtesy of Bodhizendo)
ZAZEN (SITTING MEDITATION):
RECOMMENDED READING:
Multiple Religious Belonging: Opportunities and Challenges for Theology and Church. By Peter C. Phan. Theological Studies 64 (2003): 495-519.
DHARMA HEIRS OF YAMADA KOUN ROSHI:
Bodhizendo & Amasamy Genu-ken Roshi.
Robert Aitken Gyoun-ken Roshi
David Loy Tetsuun-ken Roshi
Maria Kannon Zen Center & Ruben Habito Keiun-ken Roshi
-
Oct 4: Zen Spirituality, II: Awakening to the True Self. Embodying the Way.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) HB, pp. 57-89
(2) Ama Samy Genu-ken Roshi. Heart to Heart: Zen and religion: the roots and the shape
KYUDO (ZEN ARCHERY):
-
Oct 6: Zen Spirituality, III: This Is My Body. Coming Home. Spirituality for Healing Our Global Society.
REQUIRED READINGS: HB, pp. 91-141
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A ZEN MONK
-
Oct 8: Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 172-189.
(2) In Japan, Buddhism May Be Dying Out (New York Times, 14 July 2008)
FULLTEXT OF THE LOTUS SUTRA:
English Translation by Burton Watson
English Translation by the Buddhist Texts Translation Society
OFFICIAL WEBSITES:
Nichiren Shu
Nichiren Soshu
Nichiren Soshu in the United States
Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
Soka Gakkai International United States
Rissho Kosei-kai International
Rissho Kosei-kai International of North America
Rissho Kosei-kai Hawaii
-
Oct 11: Buddhism in the West
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BAVSI, pp. 110-125
(2) ZEN and the art of lawyering: Legal eagles find meditation a stress solution (San Francisco Chronicle, 30 July 2007).
(3) A Very Old Zen Master and His Art of Tough Love (New York Times, 9 December 2007).
(4) Excerpts From Interview With Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi (New York Times, 9 December 2007).
(5) In Buddha's Path on the Streets of San Francisco (New York Times, 10 October 2008).
(6) Theravada Bhikkhu Sangha in the United States
Dharma Center of Cincinnati (Northside, Cincinnati)
FOR FURTHER REFERENCE: BUDDHISM IN THE U.S.
Socially Engaged Buddhism in the U.S.:
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Theravada Buddhism in the U.S.:
Wat Mettavanaram (Metta Forest Monastery) (Valley Center, California)
Bhavana Society (West Virginia)
Japanese Pure Land (Jodoshinshu) in the U.S.:
Buddhist Churches of America
Humanistic Buddhism (Fo Guang Shan) in the U.S.:
Background Information: Humanistic Buddhism (Wikipedia)
Hsi Lai Temple (Hacienda Heights, California)
University of the West (Click here for information about the Founder, Master Hsing Yun).
Zen in the U.S.:
San Francisco Zen Center (San Francisco, CA)
Berkeley Zen Center (Berkeley, CA)
Diamond Sangha
Robert Aitken Gyoun-ken Roshi
David Loy Tetsuun-ken Roshi
Maria Kannon Zen Center & Ruben Habito Keiun-ken Roshi
Nichiren/Soka Gakkai in the U.S.:
Nichiren Shu
Nichiren Soshu in the United States
Soka Gakkai International United States
Tibetan Buddhism in the U.S.:
Shambhala (established by Chongyam Trungpa)
Naropa University (Boulder, CO)
-
Oct 13: Buddhist Personal Ethics, I: Introduction. Desire, Delusion, and DVDs. How We Get Hooked, How We Get Unhooked.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 1-33. - Oct 15: Fall Holiday - No Class
-
Oct 18: Buddhist Personal Ethics, II: The Inner Pursuit of Happiness. Young Buddhists in Shopping Shangri-la.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 34-62. -
Oct 20: Buddhist Personal Ethics, III: Marketing the Dharma. You Are What You Download.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 63-85. -
Oct 22: Buddhist Personal Ethics, IV: Cultivating the Wisdom Gaze. No River Bigger than Tanha.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 89-121. -
Oct 25: Buddhist Personal Ethics, V: Taming the "I Want" Mind. Penetrating the Tangle.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 122-151. -
Oct 27: Buddhist Personal Ethics, VI: Form and Elegance with Just Enough. Consuming Time.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 152-179. - Oct 29 & Nov 1: No Class - Instructor at the American Academy of Religion Conference
-
Nov 3: Buddhist Personal Ethics, VII: Three Robes is Enough. Practicing Generosity in a Consumer World.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 183-213. -
Nov 5: Buddhist Personal Ethics, VIII: Wash Your Bowls. Green Power in Contemporary Japan. Mutual Correction.
REQUIRED READINGS: Hooked, pp. 214-249. -
Nov 8: Buddhist Social Ethics, I: Introduction
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BAVSI, pp. 97-100, 104-109
(2) BEAVSI, pp. 3-38
REMINDER: Please e-mail your book report on Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume to ProfessorJTan@gmail.com by 5:00 p.m. today, 8 November 2010. -
Nov 12: Buddhist Social Ethics, III: Buddhism, Women and Gender Relations
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 82-85, 194-195
(2) Buddhist Women's Issues in Contemporary North American Buddhism (by Professor Rita Gross)
(3) Why Me? Methodological-Autobiographical Reflections of a Wisconsin Farm Girl Who Became a Buddhist Theologian When She Grew Up (by Professor Rita Gross)
(4) The Karma of Women (by Professor David Loy)
-
Nov 15: Buddhist Social Ethics, IV: Animals, Environment & Ecology
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BEAVSI, pp. 39-52
(2) Toward a Buddhist Environmental Ethic (by Professor Rita Gross)
HEALING ECOLOGY: A NEW SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE:
-
Nov 17: Buddhist Social Ethics, V: Buddhism and Sexuality
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BEAVSI, pp. 53-68
(2) Coming Out in the Sangha: Queer Community in American Buddhism by Roger Corless
FOR FURTHER READING:
Towards A Queer Dharmalogy of Sex by Roger Corless. Click here for a summary of this groundbreaking essay.
BUDDHIST LGBT COMMUNITIES IN THE U.S.:
Gay Buddhist Fellowship (San Francisco)
Queer Dharma
Gay Men's Buddhist Sangha
Listing of Gay Buddhist Groups by City
-
Nov 19: Buddhist Social Ethics, VI: War and Terrorism
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BEAVSI, pp. 69-83
(2) The New Holy War Between Good and Evil Tikkun 22 no. 6 (2007):16-18
(3) Buddhist Reflections on the New Gulf War
FOR FURTHER READING:
Pentagon Digs In Deeper (Asia Times, 20 November 2010)
Kabul Gets Its Own Stimulus Package (Asia Times, 18 November 2010)
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE:
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
-
Nov 22: Buddhist Social Ethics, VII: Abortion
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BAVSI, pp. 100-104
(2) BEAVSI, pp. 84-99
(3) Thai Police Finds 2,000 Illegally Aborted Fetuses. (New York Times, 19 November 2010)
(4) Thailand Confronts Its Issues With Abortion (New York Times, 21 November 2010)
(5) Foetus Horror Widens (The Nation, 20 November 2010)
(6) Meditation Centre To Be Built (The Nation, 22 November 2010)
- Nov 24 & 26: Thanksgiving Holiday - No Class
-
Nov 29: Buddhist Social Ethics, VIII: Suicide and Euthanasia
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BEAVSI, 100-115 -
Dec 1: Buddhist Social Ethics, IX: Cloning
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) BEAVSI, pp. 116-131 -
Dec 3: Buddhist Social Ethics, XI: Buddhism & the Criminal Justice System
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) How to Reform a Serial Killer: The Buddhist Approach to Restorative Justice (by Professor David Loy)
-
Dec 6: Buddhist Social Ethics, XI: Buddhism, Capitalism & the Market Economy
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) The Religion of the Market (by Professor David Loy)
(2) Pave the Planet or Wear Shoes? (by Professor David Loy)
(3) Can Corporations Become Enlightened? A Buddhist Critique of Transnational Corporations (by Professor David Loy)
(4) The Three Poisons, Institutionalized (by Professor David Loy)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & READINGS:
Fighting America's 'Financial Oligarchy' (NPR Fresh Air, 15 April 2009)
The Quiet Coup. By Simon Johnson (The Atlantic, May 2009).
-
Dec 8: Prospects and Challenges for Buddhism in the Twenty-first Century
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 195-201
(2) Buddhism in the West: Self Realization or Self Indulgence? (by Maria Reis Habito)
(3) Remaking the World, or Remaking Ourselves? Buddhist Reflections on Technology (by Professor David Loy)
(4) Lotus Therapy (New York Times, 27 May 2008)
ATTENTION DEFICIT SOCIETY:
-
Dec 10: Conclusion. Review and Student Feedback.
REMINDER: Please e-mail your Paper #2 ("What is the relevance of Buddhism today in the United States?") to ProfessorJTan@gmail.com by 5:00 p.m. today, 10 December 2010.
Diamond Sutra (868 C.E.) (World's oldest printed work) (Mahayana Buddhism)
Buddha Amitabha (Amida)'s Pure Land (Sukhavati)
Nov 10: Buddhist Social Ethics, II: A Buddhist Social Theory?
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) EB, pp. 190-194
(2)
Buddhist Social Theory? (by Professor David Loy)
Humorous student evaluations at a foreign (non-U.S.) university... Enjoy!!!
|
STATEMENT OF FAIR USE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES A good faith effort has been made to comply with US copyright law. This does not mean that none of the materials used in this course website is copyright protected, but that the "fair use" clause of US Copyright Law has been adhered to. In particular, any copyright material used here is (a) not used for commercial gain and used exclusively for educational purposes; and (b) used in limited amounts in comparison to the published source. The relevant provision (section 107) of the U.S. Copyright Act is reproduced below:
|
Designed, created and maintained by: Jonathan Y. Tan. © Copyright Jonathan Y. Tan, 2008-2010. All rights reserved.
TEXTBOOKS:
