RELG #221 Spring 2015 TTh 11:40-12:55

Transcription

1 RELG #221 Spring 2015 TTh 11:40-12:55 Professor Elon Goldstein Office: Office #331, Department of Religious Studies, Rutledge College (3 rd floor) Office hours: Wednesdays 2-4PM and at other times by appointment via I. COURSE DESCRIPTION An examination of Buddhist methods for personal and social transformation: meditation, asceticism, and similar disciplinary practices. In English translation, we study classic works on Buddhist meditation from diverse cultures including India, Tibet, China, Japan, Thailand, and modern America. We also explore connections in contemporary America between Buddhist meditation and current developments in science, medicine, psychology, and other areas. Using approaches from psychology, ethics, sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies, we learn about why and how religions are concerned with methods to achieve self-discipline and special types of knowledge Prerequisites: None. This course is appropriate for those new to the study of Buddhism and religion. Students who have prior familiarity with the study of religion and/or Buddhism will be able to deepen their knowledge through this course. II. GOALS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Goals This course will acquaint students with classic works dealing with the theory and method of Buddhist meditation over the past 2,500 years. Students will become familiar with key Buddhist ideas and practices from different cultures of Asia as well as from modern America. Students will understand the importance and complexity of disciplinary regimens for the study of religion and human culture. Students will be able to utilize multiple approaches taken from sociology, anthropology, psychology, and other fields to shed light on Buddhist meditation and on disciplinary regimens more generally. Students will also gain an appreciation of the ongoing connections in contemporary America between Buddhist meditation and the fields of neuro-biology, psychology, medicine, and psychotherapy. Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to (1) distinguish among and describe key characteristics of major traditions of Buddhist meditation from both past and present such as attentional stability, insight, attitudinal training, visualization, and bodily disciplines. 1

2 (2) compare and contrast the ways in which Buddhists from varied traditions, cultures, and eras have utilized theories and practices of meditation in order to further their religious aims. (3) give examples of the different types of knowledge that result from applying sociological, anthropological, and psychological approaches to the study of Buddhist meditation and spiritual disciplines. (4) articulate the ways in which Buddhist meditation has affected contemporary work in neurobiology, medicine, psychology, and psychotherapy. III. READINGS, FILMS, AND OTHER COURSE MATERIALS readings: All readings are in English. Primary sources are presented in English translation. course readings mainly include articles and excerpts from primary sources on Blackboard Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Stilling the Mind: Shamatha Teachings from Dudjom Lingpa's Vajra Essence by B. Alan Wallace The Great Path of Awakening: The Classic Guide to Lojong, a Tibetan Buddhist Practice for Cultivating the Heart of Compassion by Jamgon Kongtrul. Translated by Ken McLeod. Boston: Shambhala, ISBN 13: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING 20% short written responses to weekly readings and class participation in discussions. The responses will be based on writing prompts. Responses are due on Thursday at 4PM prior to the final class each week. Responses must both be ed to the professor and also posted on the course website. A response should be roughly two-thirds of a page in length, doublespaced. These short reflections provide a valuable opportunity to think about the assigned readings prior to our last class discussion of each week. They will be graded on a credit/no credit basis. Only responses submitted on-time will receive credit. Participation in class discussions forms an important part of the course. A number of Friday class meetings will be taken up largely with discussions. Meaningful contributions to class discussions and other in-class activities enhance the learning experience of all students. Consistent, relevant contributions can lift a student's final grade by as much as one full grade, e.g., from a B+ to an A-. Respectful listening and speaking are both important skills. Students should feel free to discuss the quality of their class participation with the instructor at any point during the semester. 40% 4 quizzes spread throughout the semester, with a value of 10% each. 2

3 10% short write up on a topic of the student's choosing after consulting a few suggested readings and/or films 30% comprehensive final exam with a slight emphasis on course material covered since the midterm. The exam is based on all course materials including lectures, readings, and class discussions. Grading Scale A ; B+ ; B ; C+ ; C ; D+ ; D ; 59 and below F V. COURSE POLICIES Attendance Prompt and regular attendance is crucial for success in the course. Attendance will be taken at the start of each class. We will follow the university's policy regarding attendance and the effect of unexcused absences on a student's course grade. If you are absent for an excusable reason, be sure to present the needed documentation to the instructor immediately upon your return (e.g., if you are absent for a legitimate medical reason, bring a doctor's note as soon as you come back to class). The University attendance policy specifies that students may miss up to 3 class meetings (10% of class time) without penalty. The 4th absence will result in a grade penalty of one letter grade. The 5th absence will result in a deduction of 2 letter grades. Expectations for Classroom Behavior We are all here to learn. Please come to class prepared and on-time. Always be respectful of everyone in class. Please do not bring any distractions to class including distractions stemming from phones and laptops. Phones are to be off, and laptop computers are to be used for notetaking only. Any disrespectful or disruptive behavior may result in dismissal from class and/or an academic penalty. Academic Integrity Assignments and examination work are expected to be the sole effort of the student submitting the work. Students are expected to follow the University of South Carolina Honor Code and should expect that every instance of a suspected violation will be reported. Students found responsible for violations of the Code will be subject to academic penalties under the Code in addition to whatever disciplinary sanctions are applied. Cheating on a test or copying someone else s work will result in a 0 for the work, possibly a grade of F in the course, and, in accordance with University policy, be referred to the University Committee for Academic Responsibility and may result in expulsion from the University. Accommodating Disabilities Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, contact the Office of Student Disability Services: , TDD , sasds@mailbox.sc.edu, or stop by LeConte College Room 112A. All accommodations must be approved through the Office of Student Disability Services. 3

4 VI. COURSE OUTLINE Week 1 Introduction to the Study of Buddhism in Relation to Meditation selected readings on basic Buddhist thought; overview of the history of Buddhism; the scope of Buddhist cultures past and present; the place of meditation in Buddhist practice PDFs on Blackboard Week 2 : Meditation in the Wider Context of Human Transformational Practices: Theories about Spiritual Discipline, Asceticism, and the Voluntary Subjugation of the Self technologies of self-transformation; regimes of discipline; voluntary self-subjugation; virtue ethics; monasticism PDFs including Talal Asad from Genealogies of Religion: "On Discipline and Humility in Medieval Christian Monasticism." Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp Week 3 : Meditation in Early Buddhism and Modern Theravāda: Questions about the Roles of Concentration and Insight Shankman The Experience of Samādhi pp. ix-31 [preface, introduction, and chapter one] Mahasatipatthana Sutta: The Great Frames of Reference translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. [available for free as PDF online at = The Buddha's Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness [Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta from the Pali Canon of Theravāda Buddhism]. The translator, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, a prominent meditator-monk-scholar in contemporary America, translates some key Pali terms as follows: satipaṭṭhāna = frames of reference (alternately: foundations of mindfulness) dukkha = stress (unsatisfactoriness, suffering) nibbāna (Sanskrit: nirvāṇa) = Unbinding (liberation, freedom, release) Week 4 : The Eight Concentration States of Jhāna; The Four Foundations of Mindfulness ; Theravāda Nirvāṇa PDF: selections from Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization by Anālayo, pp , 242-7,

5 Week 5 : Mahāyāna Meditation Practices of the Bodhisattva PDF of selected sources on the bodhisattva's meditation practice of the Four Immeasurables, the Conventional and Ultimate Spirit of Awakening (bodhicitta), and an introduction to Heart Training practices (Tibetan: lojong) Week 6 : The Bodhisattva's Four Immeasurable Attitudes & the Conventional Spirit of Awakening selections from: B. Alan Wallace Buddhism with an Attitude on bodhicitta; Tulku Thondup Enlightened Journey on compassion; B. Alan Wallace Genuine Happiness on the practice of the Four Immeasurables; Kalu Rinpoche on the two types of bodhicitta; John Makransky Awakening through Love on loving-kindness practice; B. Alan Wallace Buddhism with an Attitude on loving-kindness versus attachment; Shechen Gyaltsab and Tarthang Tulku Path of Heroes on meditation of remembrance of kindness; Kalu Rinpoche on The Eight Thoughts of a Great Being Week 7 : The Bodhisattva's Meditation on Ultimate Truth PDF of readings on specific Mahāyāna Meditation methods > authors: Padmasambhava, Shabkar, Dudjom Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu, Tulku Urgyen Week 8 : Mahāyāna Heart Training: Transforming One s Attitudes via the Conceptual & Non-conceptual PDF of readings by Kalu Rinpoche on the Ultimate Spirit of Enlightenment (ultimate Bodhicitta, recognizing the Ultimate Nature of the Heart-mind) The Great Path of Awakening: The Classic Guide to Lojong, a Tibetan Buddhist Practice for Cultivating the Heart of Compassion by Jamgon Kongtrul Week 9 : One Type of Chan Meditation (in China) and Zen (in Japan): Silent Illumination PDF: Chinese Chan masters; Dogen and other Soto masters from Japan Week 10 : Chan/Zen Meditation continued reading continued: PDF: Chinese Chan masters; Dogen and other Soto masters from Japan Week 11 : Modern Japanese Zen masters come to America: Suzuki Roshi and Uchiyama Roshi Week 12 : 5

6 the new Zen meditation in America: women as masters ; social service ; sitting PDF: American female teachers Charlotte Joko Beck, Jan Chozen Bays, Angel Kyodo Williams, Joan Halifax Roshi, Bernard Glassman Roshi, and others Week 13 : Buddhist Meditation, Psychological Models, and Psychotherapy in Modern America PDF: excerpts from articles and chapters by, e.g., Brown, Germer, Goleman, Ekman, Epstein, Ricard, Siegel, Wallace, Wilbur, etc. on the interface of Buddhist meditation, psychological models of wellness and illness, and psychotherapeutic practices) Week 14 : Buddhist Meditation in relation to Medicine in Modern America PDF: excerpts from articles and chapters by, e.g., Varela, Kabat-Zinn, Benson, Ricard, etc. on the interface of Buddhist meditation, neurobiology, and medical interventions 6