Buddhism in the Modern World Rels393/893...n to W

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1 Buddhism in the Modern World Rels393/893...n to W Professor: Ellen Goldberg Theological Hall: Room eg7@queensu.ca Office Hours: Thursday, Introduction to Course: After visiting India, French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss wrote: Between this form of religion and myself, there was no likelihood of misunderstanding. It was not a question of bowing down in front of idols or of adoring a supposed supernatural order, but only of paying homage to the decisive wisdom that a thinker, or the society which created his legend, had evolved twenty-five centuries before and to which my civilization could contribute only by confirming it (Triste Tropiques, N.Y. Atheneum, 1974, p. 4). As the title of this course suggests, we look primarily at the history and development of Buddhism in the modern world. However, while there are indeed interesting movements in modern Asia, our specific examination focuses primarily on what might be termed the fourth turning of the wheel of dharma, that is to say, Buddhism in the West (primarily North America). To do this, we look at the major schools represented in North America with the help of required readings, internet sites, films, and student field work (meditation session at Kuluta in Kingston). One distinction that is evident in the Buddhist presence in the West is the bifurcation of Buddhism into Asian immigrant and non-asian North American Buddhism(s) (or what Victor Hori calls sweet and sour Buddhism). Our study this term focuses more on non-asian, North American Buddhism and, to a lesser extent, on the influence of the Asian Buddhist diaspora communities Buddhism in the Modern World (Rels 393/893) Winter

2 and global developments (or what Martin Baumann has been called transnational Buddhism). Throughout the term, we also examine a number of issues/topics in western schools of Buddhism, including social engagement, ecology, gender, internet (or e-yana or e-sangha), media and film, the impact of and dialogue with science, succession within the lineage, social media, meditation, and scandals in the sangha, to name a few. Course Objectives: There are four related course objectives: 1. To understand the history of the transplantation of Buddhism in the West. 2. To identify core principles of Buddhism and explain their modern relevance. 3. To identify and critically study selected modern innovations and adaptations of Global Buddhism. 4. To discuss the future possibilities for Buddhism. Process of Evaluation (TBD): At a Glance: Meditation Report Due March 16 in class Research Essay Due March 30 in class Buddhism in the Modern World Winter

3 Academic Journal Due Feb. 9 and April 6 in class 1) One essay pages in length (includes bibliography). Typed double spaced, Times New Roman. Due no later than March 30 in class. The topic must be related to one of the course readings. You are invited in your papers to probe issues and developments outside the Western context. An abstract of one paragraph ( words) is required stating the proposed topic of your paper Abstract is not graded but topics must be approved. Abstract due on or before March 6. Research paper grade is 40% of your overall mark. 2) Informed participation and Attendance. Students are required to do the readings and attend classes. Informed and intelligent participation in the lecture/seminar portion of the class is required (that means, you should show that you have read the readings, have questions based on the readings that are relevant, or raise topics for discussion that are course-related). Participation and attendance constitutes 10% of your final grade. There will be 10/12 attendance days counted. 3) Meditation Report: Two page page report (double spaced), based on our field research adventure to the Kuluta Center, Kingston, ON. Worth 10% of your final grade. Details to be discussed in class closer to the event. We will divide the class in half. Group A will attend on Wed. March 8 at 7 am sharp. Group B will attend at 715 am sharp on Thurs. March 9. Regular Rels 237 class on Thursday March 9 will begin at 9 am. Details to be discussed later in the term. Report is due the following week, Thursday March, 16 in class. 4) Academic Journal: You are required to keep an academic journal that demonstrates intellectual engagement with the readings for 8/11 classes. The journal can be handed in twice during the term (once before reading week on February 9th and once at the end of the term on the last day of class, April 6). OR, weekly or even bi-weekly -- as long as I receive 8 journals in total in 2 substantive submissions. Please provide a folder if you are going to hand them in weekly so I can store them until I grade them. Overall, I would like to see a clearly written, 1-2 page reflection, that raises an issue, answers a question, identifies a critical theme, traces a recurrent thread, engages a substantive or significant topic, and also analyzes it through the lens of the Buddhism in the Modern World Winter

4 readings (whenever possible). Worth 40% of your final grade (therefore, 5% for each submission). General Statement on Academic Integrity Academic integrity is constituted by the five core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility (see These values are central to the building, nurturing and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community will thrive. Adherence to the values expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the "freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas" essential to the intellectual life of the University (see the Senate Report on Principles and Priorities). Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the regulations concerning academic integrity and for ensuring that their assignments conform to the principles of academic integrity. Information on academic integrity is available in the Arts and Science Calendar (see Academic Regulation 1), on the Arts and Science website (see Buddhism in the Modern World Winter

5 Buddhism in the Modern World Winter and from the instructor of this course. Departures from academic integrity include plagiarism, use of unauthorized materials, facilitation, forgery and falsification, and are antithetical to the development of an academic community at Queen's. Given the seriousness of these matters, actions which contravene the regulation on academic integrity carry sanctions that can range from a warning or the loss of grades on an assignment to the failure of a course to a requirement to withdraw from the university. RELS 893: Students enrolled in the graduate version of this course are required to write one major essay chosen in consultation with the instructor (20-25 pages in length). Also, they must complete all readings and participate in class discussion and give a class presentation on their research. We will meet outside of class at least twice to discuss research interests and relevant material. Dates to be decided. My Basic Grading Philosophy (See scheme on onq) A Exceptional performance. Strong evidence of original thinking; good organization; capacity to analyze and synthesize; superior grasp of subject matter with sound critical evaluations; evidence of extensive knowledge base. B Good performance. Evidence of grasp of subject matter, some evidence of capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence of familiarity with literature. C Intellectually adequate performance. Student who is profiting from the university experience; understanding of the subject matter and ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material. D Minimally acceptable performance. Some evidence of familiarity with the subject matter and some evidence that critical and analytic skills have been developed. Buddhism in the Modern World Winter

6 F Inadequate performance. Little evidence of even superficial understanding of subject matter; weakness in critical and analytic skills; limited or irrelevant use of literature. Texts (#2 and #3 are available at the Queen s Campus Bookstore) 1) Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse. see onq for link. (discussed in class on January 19). 2) Mindful America. Jeff Wilson. NY: Oxford University Press, See onq for more details. 3) The Making of Buddhist Modernism. David L. McMahan. NY: Oxford University Press, See onq for more details. 4) Weekly readings and videos assigned on onq. PLEASE NOTE: For Weekly Course Readings: SEE onq each week under Content. The onq site is a work in progress that will be updated each week. Weekly Glance readings, Topics at a (see detailed etc., on onq): 1. Introduction to the course. Brief Overview of Buddhism 2. Buddhism and Modernity: Transplantation and Siddhartha. 3. Change and Continuity AND Meditation 4. Meditation (continued) AND Buddhism and Science 5. Socially Engaged Buddhism 6. TBA Buddhism in the Modern World Winter

7 7. Reading Week: No Class 8. Buddhism and Film: Reel to Real 9. Buddhism and Pop Culture (includes music, tattoos, social media and also technology, +++) 10. Eco-Buddhism 11. Selling Buddhism/Selling Spirituality 12. Gender, Sex and Scandals Questions: What does it mean to speak about a Buddhism Modernism? Who is a Buddhist? What does the future of Buddhism look like? Buddhism in the Modern World Winter

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