Introduction To Buddhism (RELB 2100)

Class location and time: Nau Hall 101 TuTh 11:00AM - 12:15PM

Instructor: KAREN LANG, 436 Gibson Hall; Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10-11, 1-2pm and by appointment. Phone: 924-0846; Email:

klang@virginia.edu

Teaching assistants: Rinchen Dorje (xr4yu@virginia.edu) and Michelle Walsh mw5qf@virginia.edu 

Course description: The goal of courses in religious studies is to promote sensitivity to religious ideas, personalities, and

institutions. Such courses are not intended to persuade you toward or away from any particular religious tradition. This course is an

introduction to Buddhism, beginning with its origins in India, its spread throughout Asia to the West. The course will examine the

historical and cultural contexts in which Buddhist beliefs and practices developed and are still developing. We will explore a wide

variety of sources to understand the many ways in which Buddhists speak about the Buddha, what he and his followers say about

karma and rebirth, the practice of meditation and the pursuit of enlightenment. We will also examine the views of contemporary

Buddhist teachers and on the challenges Buddhism faces in the modern world.

 

Course objectives: 1.To understand the basic teachings of Buddhism on (a) ethics, (b) meditation, and (c) the concept of a self and

the nature of reality. 2. To examine Buddhism as a religious tradition in its diverse cultural and historical settings. 3. To consider

Buddhism's adaptation to Western culture.

 

Discussion sections and Attendance Policy: We meet twice weekly as a group for lecture and viewing video clips and once a week

in small discussion sections. Sections are forums for discussing issues related to class readings and lectures as well as those of

interest to the class. You are expected to be an active participant, respect the views of other students, and to do your part to make

the section worthwhile. Please note that aside from these general expectations, individual TAs might have extra requirements or

expectations for their sections. Also note that your TA (in consultation with the Instructor) will be the person assigning your final grade

for this course. If you are absent for more than FOUR discussion section meetings without a good excuse, you will receive an

automatic F for the section grade. There are, of course, good reasons for missing discussion section (illness, family emergency, etc.).

Let us know if you have to miss class for such a reason--in advance if you can.

 

Grading policy

You will be tested on material covered in lectures, assigned readings, films, and class discussions. There are two in class

examinations (midterm and final: Oct 2nd, Dec 8: 9am-12pm) and one short paper due on or before Nov 11th, which count for 75% of

your grade (midterm: 20%; paper 30%; last exam: 25 %) and the discussion grade makes up the final 25%.

 

TEXTS

deBary, William ed. The Buddhist Tradition

Brown, Sid, The Journey of One Buddhist Nun.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, What Makes You Not a Buddhist

Kapstein, Matthew, Tibetan Buddhism

Morinaga, Soka. Novice to Master

 

*Articles on class web site, click on "resources "

 

WEEKLY TOPICS AND READINGS

8/26 Introduction

The Buddha and his Community

8/28 The Life of the Buddha

9/2 The Buddha and the formation of his community

Readings: *Conze, Buddha’s Previous Lives”, pp.1-7; de Bary, chap 1 (Historical Setting) pp. 3-9, chap. 2, pp.  55-72

The Buddha’s Teachings

9/ 4 Karma and Rebirth

9/9 Four Noble Truths and the doctrine of no-soul

Readings: de Bary, pp chap 1 pp. 9-54

9/11 Meditation

Readings *Shaw, Buddhist Meditation (read chapters 1, 2, 5 and 10) “Introduction”, “Meditation” ,“The Four Foundations of Mindfulness” and “The Four Divine Abidings” )

Theravada Buddhism in South East Asia

9/16 Theravada Buddhism in SE Asia

9/18 Nuns and monks in Thailand

Readings: Brown (all of it) and *Mitchell, “The Way of the Elders”.

Mahayana Buddhism in India

9/23 Rise of Mahayana Buddhism

9/25: Bodhisattvas and Celestial Buddhas

Readings: de Bary, chap 3 (through faith in emptiness) pp 73-98; *Mitchell, “The Great Vehicle” and *Shantideva, “Guide to Bodhisattva’s Way.”

9/30 The Philosophical teachings of the Mahayana Schools: Middle Way (Madhyamaka)

Readings: *Strong, “Philosophical Formulations”, parts 1 and 2

10/2 First exam (in class)-- covers everything up through Sept 30th  No discussion sections this week.

Vajrayana Buddhism

10/7 Vajrayana Buddhism in India

10/ 9 the introduction of Buddhism into Tibet and Bhutan

Readings: de Bary, pp. 118-122, Kapstein, pp. 1-28, and *Conze, "Quietist Controversy".

10/14 Fall break

10/ 16 The second spread of Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan

Readings: Kapstein, chaps 2-4, pp. 12-61 *Lawless, “Milarepa

10/21 The Dalai Lamas in Tibet and Mongolia

10/23 Philosophical disputes

Readings: Kapstein,chaps.5-8 pp. 62-116 and *Dalai Lama, “Deity Yoga”

Tibetan Buddhism in the US

10/28 Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche on essential Buddhist teachings

10/30 Tibetan Buddhist practice in the west: adaptation and changes

Readings: D K Rinpoche, What Makes You Not a Buddhist (all of it); and *Willis, "A Baptist-Buddhist."

Mahayana Buddhism in China, Korea, and Japan

11/4 Pure Land Buddhism in China and Korea.

11/6 Pure Land and Nichiren Buddhism in Japan

Readings: de Bary, chaps. 5, 7, 11, pp. 125-138,197-207; 314-354

11/11 Chan

11/13  Zen

Readings: de Bary, pp. 207-240; de Bary, pp. 355-373

11/18 Short Paper due by 11:59 pm in your TA’s email box

Pure Land and Zen Buddhism in the West

11/18 Immigrant Communities in the US

11/20 Western Zen

Readings: Readings: Morinaga, (all of it); *Selections from Kerouac's Dharma Bums; *Unno, "Other-Power." 

11/24-26 Thanksgiving break

Socially Engaged Buddhism

12/4 Reinterpreting the Precepts

12/ 6 New venues for meditation and practice: prisons, hospices, and hospitals

readings : *Gross, “When the Iron Bird Flies, *Thich Nhat Hanh, "Diet for a Mindful Society” , *F. Maull, “Letting Go of Depression;" and *R. Purser and D. Loy, "Beyond McMindfulness."

 

12/8 in class final exam 9am-12pm

This course is an introduction to Buddhism, beginning with its origins in India, its spread throughout Asia to the West. The course will examine the

historical and cultural contexts in which Buddhist beliefs and practices developed and are still developing. We will explore a wide

variety of sources to understand the many ways in which Buddhists speak about the Buddha, what he and his followers say about

karma and rebirth, the practice of meditation and the pursuit of enlightenment. We will also examine the views of contemporary

Buddhist teachers and on the challenges Buddhism faces in the modern world.