Reli
30533 Buddhism: Thought and
Practice
Andrew O. Fort TBH 214 Office hours: M-F 11-12 or
by appointment
Contact: 257-6448, a.fort@tcu.edu Web:
personal.tcu.edu/~afort2
Julius N. Tsai TBH 110 Office hours MMTuh 2-3 and by appointment
Contact: 257-6442, j.tsai@tcu.edu
CLASS
OVERVIEW
This course will introduce
the religious tradition called Buddhism. We shall begin with its development in
India, then investigate some
particularly instructive moments as it moved through Central and East Asia, and
into North America. We will
observe and analyze Buddhist thought and practice, looking at sacred texts,
art, ritiual and scholarly descriptions. Our aim will be to outline how Buddhism has manifested
in various cultures, and to understand some Buddhist ways of thinking and
acting. We shall thereby explore
some of the diversity of human experience and better understand other cultures
and peoples. Such understandings
will necessarily
entail some "self"-exploration; thus, existential inquiry is an
inevitable component of this course.
Our exploration will, of course, use the concepts and modes of inquiry
common in the academic study of religion.
Thus, this course will increase
your ability to read critically, think analytically, and write effectively
through the description, analysis and evaluation of Buddhist ideas, practices,
and social organization.
You are expected to attend
all classes (come on time, but come even if late), and to read (and think about) the assignments before
class. Both are necessary to gain
a full understanding; they also help you to get a good grade. If you miss four or more classes, your
grade can be lowered automatically unless you have a legitimate and documented excuse. The
reading load is generally not heavy, but does take time and commitment. Bring the relevant books to class; we
will analyze the readings. Be
ready to listen, think, question, and speak. All topics are open, but civil and respectful discourse is
required.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
There will be two short
(4-5 pg.) papers (25% of grade each); short
reflections on Buddhist art, ritual, and monastic life (10%)[AF1]; participatory exercises practicing basic
meditation and following precepts
(required but not graded), and a final 7-8 page course review and analysis (350%). [JT2]Further handouts will
provide more information. Papers
will cover material from lectures and readings, and are intended to bring out both
academic information and personal
reactions to what you are learning.
Unless you contact one of us beforehand, late papers or exam absence will be permitted
only for officially excused absences.
Your presence and participation in class are also part of the grade
(5%). We will visit a Buddhist temple as
well. Course grades are in ten
point increments; TCU does not allow pluses or minuses.
If you have a problem
affecting your course participation, or must miss class, let one of us
know. Also, if you have a
disability that may affect
your class performance, please inform me during the first week of class. For
information about attendance, disabilities and/or academic misconduct, refer to
the appropriate sections under www.studentaffairs.tcu.edu. Feel free to see us, after class or by appointment. Finally, a Buddhist hint to help
you in the course: do not cling to your ideas.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Required books (#1 and , 2, 4
available at TCU Bookstore):
1.
Damien Keown, Buddhism:
A Very Short Introduction
(Oxford, 2000)
2.
Roderick Whitfield,
Cave Temples of Mogao: Art
and History on the Silk Road
(Getty, 2000) – please see separate
handout for purchasing information
3.
Lama A. Govinda, The
Way of the White Clouds (through
Frog Prints)
4.
Robert Buswell, The
Zen Monastic Experience (Princeton, 1992)
5.
There will also be a variety of copied readings in a
reader (through Frog Prints)
RESOURCES
FOR STUDENTS[AF3]
Campus Life (257-7926,
Sadler Hall 101); TCU Library
(257-7117); Center for Academic Services (257-7486, Sadler Hall 11); Writing
Center (257-7221,
Rickel Bldg. 244); Student Development Services (257-7855, Student Center Rm.
220); University Ministries (257-7830, Student Center Rm. 111).
CLASS SCHEDULE
EARLY BUDDHISM
Jan 17 Introduction to Course:
ÒReligionÓ in Light of Buddhist Categories
Jan 19 Indian Thought at the Time
of Buddha's Birth
Reading: Keown, 1-15
Jan 24 Life and Teachings of the
Buddha
Reading: Keown, 16-45; Strong, 106-110
Jan 26 The Four Noble Truths
Reading: Keown, 46-58, Strong, 106-110
Jan 31 Buddhist
Meditation
Reading: Keown, 88-101; Strong, 118-128
Feb 2 The Buddha and the
Self
Reading: Gethin, 133-62; Strong, 28-31
Feb 7 Mahayana Buddhism
Reading: Keown, 59-72
Paper Due: Reflections On
The Buddha's Life
Feb
9 Madhyamika
and Buddhist Discourse on Emptiness [AF4]
Reading: Keown, 113-15
Feb 14 Soteriology and Pantheon in
Mahayana Buddhism
Reading: _______[JT5][AF6]Strong, 161-166; 179-182; 1894-190
BUDDHISM ON THE SILK ROAD[JT7]
Feb 16 The Cultural Worlds of the
Silk Road
Reading: Whitfield, pp.
1-29
Introduction to Meditation ProjectExercise and Buddhist
Art Reflection intro?
Feb 21 Chinese Buddhism Through Its Art (1)
Reading: Whitfield, pp.
51-70
Feb 23 Chinese Buddhism Through
Its Art (2)
Pure Land Buddhism
Reading: Whitfield, pp.
71-91; Beyer, 116-24
Buddhist Art Reflection Due
Feb 28 The ÒDiscoveryÓ of Dunhuang
and Buddhist Studies in the West
Reading: Whitfield, pp.
31-49; 121-131[JT8][AF9]
BUDDHISM IN TIBET
Mar 2
Discussion on Meditation Exercise (due today)
BUDDHISM IN TIBET
Mar 7 Tibet and Tantra
Reading: Keown, 84-87
Reading: The Way of the White Clouds. to p. 92
Mar
9 Tibet
Reading:
The Way of the White
Clouds, p.
93-194 video
Mar
14 and 16: Spring Break
THE GHOST FESTIVAL AND CHINESE BUDDHISM
Mar 21 Tibet
Reading: The Way of the White
Clouds, p.
93-194
In-class
video
THE GHOST FESTIVAL AND
CHINESE BUDDHISM
Mar 23 The
Family and Buddhism in China
Reading: Thompson, 31-44
(Family); 101-110 (Buddhist
Tradition)
Paper Due: Review Of Way Of The White Clouds
Mar 28 Mar 23 Ancestors and Ghosts
Reading: Lowe, Adventures of Wu, 94-130; 232-239
In-class field videos
Introduction to Primary
Text Reflection
Mar 30Mar 28 The Ghost Festival and the
Myth of Mulian (1)
Reading: Mair, trans.,
ÒMaudgalyayana,Ó 87-103
Apr 4
Mar 30 The
Ghost Festival and the Myth of Mulian (2)
Reading: ÒMaudgalyayana,Ó
103-121
Primary Text Reflection Due
ZEN MONASTIC LIFE IN KOREA
Apr 6 Apr 4
Zen/Son in KoreaThe Living
Practice of Zen Buddhism
Reading: Buswell, 3-20; 37-48
Introduction to Precepts
Exercise
Apr 11
Apr 6 Daily Life in a Zen
MonasteryThe Life of a Zen Monk
Reading: Buswell, 649-106; 107-128
Apr 13 Apr 11
The Practice of Meditation
Reading: Buswell, 107-48, 217-28149-202
Apr 18 Apr 13
Meditation
and Zen ThoughtA Fresh Look at Zen
Reading: Buswell, 217-228147-202
Precepts Exercise Due
BUDDHISM COMES WEST
Apr 20 Apr 18
Buddhism comes West: ÒCradleÓ v. ÒConvertÓ
Buddhism
Readings: Keown, 116-25; Nattier article
Apr 25
Apr 20 Buddhism in the West Buddhism and psychology
Readings: Aronson
reading, ____[JT11]; Keown, 125-32
Apr 27[JT12]Apr 25 Buddhism
in the West Buddhism and social
action, women
Reading: Thich Nhat Hanh article; Strong, 340-342, 356-360
May 2 Reflections on the Buddhist
Tradition
May 9 Course
Review/Analysis Due 3 pm