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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
Hindu Tantra envisions ultimate reality as intertwined aspects of Shiva and Shakti. We study contemplative theory and practices from Tantric texts and commentaries, including sacred ritual, deity forms, mantra, yantra (sacred geometry), nyasa (sacred energetic placements), chakras and visualizations. We also explore Kashmir Shaivism, a nondualistic monism, and the Srividya Goddess tradition. Tantric influences in Indian poetry, art and dance-music forms are shared whenever possible. The last class features a culminating class worship ritual (puja) incorporating many Tantric contemplative tools studied all semester.
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3.00 Credits
Tracing the Buddha's early discoveries about mind and emotion, this course follows the pedagogy of meditative investigation. The curriculum, called the Abhidharma, the school of refined investigation, follows the Abhidharma sources of several Buddhist traditions, especially those foundational to Vipassana meditation of the Theravada school and Shamatha-vipashyana meditation of Tibetan Buddhism. The course integrates elements from traditional monastic training adapted to a contemporary setting: weekly memorization of a passage of scripture, guided contemplations and the reading of Buddhist scripture in translation. Relevant parallels with contemporary psychology and cognitive science are also indicated.
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3.00 Credits
Providing a basic introduction to the ideas, perspectives and practices of Buddhism, this course looks at the life and cultural context of Buddha Shakyamuni, founder of Buddhism. Students then examine the core teachings of Buddhism as found in the four noble truths. Discussions include a reflection on the importance of recognizing suffering as the first step on the spiritual path; the role of karma in human bondage and liberation; the reality of a state beyond the chaos and confusion of the human condition; and the effectiveness of the Buddhist path based on ethical behavior and meditation.
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3.00 Credits
The course explores various aspects of Zen Buddhism, starting with instruction on Zen meditation and meditation techniques including koan study (Zen "logical paradoxes") and shikantaza ("just sitting"). Then we study the lives and teachings of important Zen masters as gateways into some of the approaches to Zen and as signposts for living our own lives. Prerequisite: Instructor approval required. Students are asked to email the instructor a short spiritual biography of themselves.
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3.00 Credits
An examination of Buddhism's historical and contemporary views and responses to social issues and on the emerging movement of engaged Buddhism within the larger context of engaged spirituality. While using traditional and contemporary texts, this class also explores the nature of the individual journey one makes in order to engage social action from a contemplative ground. Community-based volunteer work anchors this ground, allowing us to experience our individual understanding of "sacred view" through a personal path of action.
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3.00 Credits
The history, basic meditation forms and Zen writings are studied as signposts for living our lives. Each class period includes a period of zazen (Zen meditation) and each student must attend a weekend sesshin (Zen retreat) at the Great Mountain Zen Center (additional cost is approximately $80). In the class, we are introduced to the enigmatic Zen koans and study the Zen approach to the Heart Sutra plus select writings of Bodhidharma, the Third Zen Patriarch, Zen Masters of the Golden Age of Zen in China, Dogen and Hakuin.
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3.00 Credits
Mahayana Buddhism presents an ideal of the spiritual path that is grounded in love for all beings. This course examines the basic teachings and practices of the Mahayana path including the notion of emptiness, its inseparability with compassion, the bodhisattva vow, the cultivation of the awakened heart and the six paramitas or transcendent actions in the benefit of others. Readings are taken from the literature of both sutra (Buddha's word) and shastra (commentaries) and includes writings of contemporary teachers.
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3.00 Credits
One of Buddhism's most important teachings is the doctrine of tathagatagarbha, or buddha nature, which proclaims the natural enlightenment of all beings, and the importance of uncovering this already present enlightenment through penetrating insight and meditation practice. The philosophy propounded in the Uttaratantra underlies the teachings of the Mahamudra tradition, one of the most profound Buddhist lineages of practice and accomplishment. This course examines the relationship of these two traditions through a close study of a landmark treatise by G Lotsawa (1392-1481 A.D.) and provides a rare opportunity to study the basis of the Mahamudra teachings in the Buddhist sutra tradition. Prerequisite: Several courses in Buddhist studies.
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3.00 Credits
This course surveys the variety of ways in which Buddhism continues to influence contemporary American culture, and in turn be influenced by it. In particular, we explore the ways in which Buddhism has changed and adapted in the different American Buddhist communities. Our scope includes spirituality and religion, literature, social activism, pluralism and dialogue. Student projects focus on specific Buddhist communities that have joined facets of Buddhist and American culture. Grading criteria includes short writing assignments, final exam and term paper. Prerequisite: REL 160, REL 240 or REL 245.
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3.00 Credits
This course introduces Buddhism as it flowered in the Tibetan cultural region, with emphasis on the traditional cosmology of Tibet; its religious history; its exoteric teachings and practices (Hinayana and Mahayana); and its esoteric teachings and practices (Vajrayana). Special attention is paid to the meditative traditions of Tibet and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Prerequisite: REL 160, REL 240 or REL 245.
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