Introduction to Buddhism

Transcription

1 Introduction to Buddhism (A EAS 265/A REL 265) University at Albany, SUNY: Fall 2016 Meeting Times and Location: MWF 11:30-12:25pm, ED120 Professor: Aaron P. Proffitt, PhD Office Hours Time and Location: 12:30-1:30, MWF, HUM 241 (also available by appointment) COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an introduction to Buddhism, covering its early history in South Asia, its expansion into Central, East, and Southeast Asia, and its recent growth in Europe and the Americas. Students will acquire a foundational knowledge about basic Buddhist doctrines and practices, as well as the diversity of Buddhism as a lived religion. Course readings will largely consist of primary texts in translation. This course will serve as both an introduction to Buddhism in particular, as well as an introduction to the study of religion. There are no prerequisites for this course. All are welcome. General Education Requirements fulfilled by this course: 1) Humanities 2) International Perspectives REQUIRED TEXT Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism (Donald S. Lopez, Jr., ed.) 1

2 GRADING SCHEME A 94 A- 90 B+ 88 B 84 B- 80 C+ 78 C 74 C- 70 D+ 68 D 64 D- 60 E 50 COURSE REQUIREMENTS Attendance & Participation 25% Online Journals 25% Mid-Term Exam 25% Final Exam 25% ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION (25%) Attendance and active participation is required, and counts toward 25% of the final grade. If you must miss a class, please see the University at Albany Medical Excuse Policy: Note Cards: Each student should purchase a pack of 3x5 note cards and bring them to class. At the end of class, students will write their names on the card and answer the following two questions: (1) What was the most interesting thing you learned today? (2) What question would you like to ask? In the next session the instructor will select three or four questions to discuss. Note cards not only count for attendance but also gauge level of engagement. Computer and Technology Rules: This class is built around active participation in lecture and discussion. Laptop computers, cellphones, smartphones, ipads, and other electronic devices are distracting and therefore prohibited. Students are required to purchase a notebook for taking notes by hand in class. Excluded, of course, are those who for medically documented reasons must use assistive technology. JOURNALS (25%) For each reading assignment or film students must complete one journal entry on Blackboard. These journals are essentially your notes you take while reading a text or watching a film. If you are using your notebook for reading notes, These are not graded for content, or style, or length (though they should be substantial: 250 words or more ). Journal posts are not public, and only the instructor will read them. All journal entries should be done before coming to class. These journals will serve as a resource for our inclass discussion. MID-TERM EXAM (25%) 25 multiple choice questions. This is a take home exam that you must complete through the Blackboard link. Exam will open at 12:00am and close at 11:59pm on the day noted on the syllabus. It should take about one hour to complete. FINAL EXAM (25%) 25 multiple choice questions. This is a take home exam that you must complete through the Blackboard link. Exam will open at 12:00am and close at 11:59pm on the day noted on the syllabus. It should take about one hour to complete. ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR OTHER NEEDS I request that any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations speak with me during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will remain confidential. For more information, please visit Disability Resource Center: 2

3 PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Every student has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the University. Faculty members must specify in their syllabi information about academic integrity, and may refer students to this policy for more information. Nonetheless, student claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or personal or academic pressures cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the standards and behaving accordingly, and UAlbany faculty are responsible for teaching, modeling and upholding them. Anything less undermines the worth and value of our intellectual work, and the reputation and credibility of the University at Albany degree. (University s Standards of Academic Integrity Policy, Fall 2013) GETTING STARTED Here are a few essays I recommend you read before class. I ll be talking about these texts on the first day. o What is the Academic Study of Religion?: o Religious Studies: A Part of the Human Sciences: o Theses on Method: COURSE CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE OF READING ASSIGNMENTS Mon. Wed. Fri. 08/28 08/30 09/01 Welcome! Introduction: In the World of the Buddha, Finish up Introduction 09/04 09/06 09/08 Buddhism in India, No Class: Labor Day How Our World Began, King Shibi Rescues a Dove, Prince Vessantara Gives Away His Children, 109- The Buddha Remembers His Mother s Tears, /11 09/13 09/15 The Life of the Buddha, The Buddha s Final Days, The Benefits of Mindfulness, The Buddha s First Sermon, Early Aphorisms, The Beginnings of Buddhist The Buddha Belittles the Brahmins, Philosophy, /18 09/20 09/22 Wander Solitary as a Rhinoceros Horn, How to Meditate on Love, Nuns Achieve Nirvana, The Workings of the Law of Karma, The Life Well Lived, Kunala Loses his Eyes, Classes Suspended at 2:35 pm: Rosh Hashanah No Class Classes Resume at 12:35 pm 3

4 The Meaning of Love, Mahayana Sutras and Tantras 09/25 09/27 09/29 Mahayana Sutras, 278 A Layman Humbles the The Pure Land, The Lotus Sutra, Monks, Classes Suspended at 2:35 pm: Yom Kippur 10/02 10/04 10/06 The Diamond Sutra, The Buddha Nature Lies Hidden Within, How to Be a Bodhisattva, The Heart Sutra, Mahayana Treatises, 366 How to Meditate on On the Meaning of Emptiness, Emptiness, (optional) In Praise of the Empty Buddha, (optional) Advice to a King, (optional) 10/09 10/11 10/13 Buddhist Tantra, 464 Tantric Masters, Rituals for a Better Rebirth, Ever in the Female Form, How to Practice Tantra, Buddhism in China 10/16 10/18 10/20 Buddhism in China, A Chinese Pilgrim Visits the Bodhi Tree, On the Origins of Zen, Buddhism Comes to China, Burning the Body for the Buddha, Instructions of a Chan Master, A Buddhist Apocryphon, Mid-term due, 11:59PM through Blackboard 10/23 10/25 10/27 The Ten Kings of Hell, Chinese Pilgrims Meet the Buddha, ***MOVIE ONLINE: To the Land of Bliss (On Letters from a Zen Master, The Bodhisattva who Bestows Children, Blackboard)*** 4

5 Buddhism in Korea 10/30 11/01 11/03 Buddhism in Korea, The Harmony of Doctrine and Practice, Hyujeong (Blackboard) Why Practice the Dharma, Buddhism in Japan 11/06 11/08 11/10 Buddhism in Japan, The Glories of the Esoteric, Dōhan, Himitsu nenbutsu shō (Blackboard) Tendai Texts (On Blackboard) Kakuban, Amida hishaku (Blackboard) 11/13 11/15 11/17 On the Power of Amitābha s Vow, Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, Nichiren, Risshō ankoku ron (Blackboard) How Buddhism Protects the Nation, /20 11/22 11/24 A Conversation with Skeletons, No class: Thanksgiving Break No class: Thanksgiving Break You Poor Hole-Dwelling Devil, Buddhism in Tibet 11/27 11/29 12/01 Buddhism in Tibet, Milarepa Meditates on his Mother s Bones, The Path and the Result, How to Exchange Self and Other, The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, A Tibetan Book of the Dead, Severing the Demon of the Self, Modern Buddhism 12/04 12/06 12/08 Modern Buddhism, 735- How to Meditate, bell hooks (Blackboard) 739 San Francisco Zen, angel Kyodo williams Buddhism Comes to Chicago, An American Sutra, Buddhism Returns to India, Buddhist monk Wins Nobel Peace Prize,

6 12/11 Mushim Ikeda Patti Nakai Final Exam due, 11:59PM through Blackboard 6