I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 2/8/13)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change or
renew existing gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
II. Mathematics
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III. Language
VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * IX: American & European
if requesting
IV: Expressive Arts
X: Indigenous & Global
x
more than one
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program Liberal Studies
Course #
RLST 232
Course Title
Prerequisite
Buddhism
none
Credits
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Instructor
Phone / Email
Program Chair
Dean
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew x
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
3
Date
Change
Remove
Buddhism today is truly a religion
of global scope, widespread not
only through most of the Asia, the
world’s largest continent, but
expanding as one of the fasting
growing religions in the West.
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of the general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
The main purpose of this course is to familiarize ourselves with the basic categories of
philosophy and practice in Buddhism, a pan-Asian religious tradition of remarkable diversity
and expansive geographical and chronological scope. While the course will always maintain an
historical perspective, in order to provide us with a framework for understanding Buddhist
developments in their cultural and temporal contexts, the course will be structured mainly along
thematic lines, according to the traditional concepts of the “Three Jewels or Refuges”: Buddha
(awakened being, exemplar, teacher); Dharma (teachings, doctrine); and Sangha (community),
and the “Three Trainings”: Sila (ethics, morality, virtue); Samadhi (meditation, contemplation);
and Prajna (wisdom, transformative insight). Following this structure, we will closely read
primary sources (in translation) and secondary studies, in order to explore how Buddhists, from
ancient to modern times, have viewed the world and lived their lives in the cultural settings of
South and Southeast Asia (Theravada Buddhism), East Asia (Mahayana Buddhism), and the
Tibetan and Himalayan regions of Asia (Tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism).
Studnets’ future lives will benefit, as this course will make them better global citizens, after
learning about the worldviews of the world’s hundreds of millions of Buddhists.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Indigenous and/or global courses will familiarize
This course on Buddhism deals with
students with the values, histories, and institutions Buddhist values, institutions, and histories in
of two or more societies through the uses of
a multiplicity of South Asian, Southeast
comparative approaches.
Asian, and East Asian societies.
Indiginous perspective courses address the
longstanding tenure of a particular people in a
particular geographical region, their histories,
cultures, and ways of living as well as their
interaction with other groups, indigenous and nonindigenous.
Global perspective courses adopt a broad focus
with respect to time, place, and subject matter and
one that is transnational and/or multicultural/ethnic in nature. Whether the cultures or
societies under study are primarily historical or
contemporary, courses investigate significant
linkages or interactions that range across time and
space.
The Buddhism course, dealing with multiple
cultures, places emphasis on Indian Buddhist
culture and ways of life, and examining
Buddhist interaction with Hindus and Jains.
My coverage of Buddhism in multicultural,
as indicated above, and we span the history
of Buddhist civilizations from ancient Indian
to modern Western developments.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
place human behavior and cultural ideas into a
Much time is spent on how Buddhism
wider (global/indigenous) framework, and enhance spread from society to society on the
their understanding of the complex
whole of the Asian continent (as well as
interdependence of nations and societies and their
the West) and such spread inevitably
physical environments;
involves looking at how these societies
have interacted.
demonstrate an awareness of the diverse ways
humans structure their social, political, and cultural
lives; and
analyze and compare the rights and responsibilities
of citizenship in the 21st century including those of
their own societies and cultures.
The academic study of any religion
involves an in-depth examination of how
humans structure their lives. This one of
the main areas that religions address.
The Buddhism course ends with study of
contemporary Buddhism and here
addresses modern moral issues such as
rights and responsibilities.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
RLST/LS 232H
Buddhism
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:10-12:30
Gallagher Business Building 123
Bradley Clough
Office Phone: (406)-243-2837
Office: LA 158
bradley.clough@mso.umt.edu
Office Hours: T & TH 12:45-2:45 and by appointment
The main purpose of this course is to familiarize ourselves with the basic categories of
philosophy and practice in Buddhism, a pan-Asian religious tradition of remarkable diversity
and expansive geographical and chronological scope. While the course will always maintain an
historical perspective, in order to provide us with a framework for understanding Buddhist
developments in their cultural and temporal contexts, the course will be structured mainly along
thematic lines, according to the traditional concepts of the “Three Jewels or Refuges”: Buddha
(awakened being, exemplar, teacher); Dharma (teachings, doctrine); and Sangha (community),
and the “Three Trainings”: Sila (ethics, morality, virtue); Samadhi (meditation, contemplation);
and Prajna (wisdom, transformative insight). Following this structure, we will closely read
primary sources (in translation) and secondary studies, in order to explore how Buddhists, from
ancient to modern times, have viewed the world and lived their lives in the cultural settings of
South and Southeast Asia (Theravada Buddhism), East Asia (Mahayana Buddhism), and the
Tibetan and Himalayan regions of Asia (Tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism).
Required Readings (all are available for purchase at the campus bookstore):
Kohn, Sherab Chodzin. The Awakened One.
Nichtern, Ethan. One City: A Declaration of Interdependence
Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught.
Santideva. The Bodhicaryavatara.
Suzuki, Shunryu. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.
Williams, Paul. Mahayana Buddhism:The Doctrinal Foundations
Yeshe, Lama. Introduction to Tantra: The Transformation of Desire.
Grading
1. Class Preparation and Participation: completion of and reflection upon the reading
assignment for the day, as well as consistent attendance and oral participation in regular
discussions. No more than two absences will be accepted without written authorization
from the Health Service or an advisor, counselor, or administrator. (20% of the final
grade).
2. Mid-Term and Final Exams (each is worth 40% of the final grade, making the two equal
80% total).
Class Meetings and Assignments
I. Buddha: Awakened One, Exemplar, Teacher, Savior
Tues. 8/27
Introduction to the Course
Thurs. 8/29
India in the Time of the Buddha
-handout: Jacob Kinnard, “Historical Overview: The Context Out of Which
Buddhism Emerged” (from The Emergence of Buddhism)
Tues. 9/3
The Life of Siddhartha Gautama, Sakyamuni Buddha
-Kohn: Acknowledgement and Chapters 1-5
Thurs. 9/5
The Life of the Buddha (continued)
-Kohn: Chapters 6-9
Tues. 9/10
The Previous Lives of the Buddha
-selections from the Jatakas, stories of Buddha’s past lives
Thurs. 9/12
Buddhist Imagery I: Early Artistic Representations of the Buddha
-in-class visual presentation (no reading)
Tues. 9/17
Buddha as Supramundane Being
-Williams, “Buddhism: Doctrinal Diversity and Moral Unity” (pp. 1-7) and
“Mahasamghikas and Lokottaravada” (pp. 18-21)
-handout: Roger Corliss, “Birth of Buddhas” (from The Vision of Buddhism)
Thurs. 9/19
Buddhas and Their Pure Lands
-Williams, Chapter 10: “Trust, Faith, & Devotion: The Cults of Buddhas &
Bodhisattvas” (pp. 209-218 and 243-266)
-handout: The Smaller Sutra Displaying the Land of Bliss
Tues. 9/24
Buddhist Imagery II: Later Artistic Icons of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
-Williams, Chapter 10, pp. 218-243
-in-class visual presentation
II. Dharma: The Teachings of Wisdom, Ethics and Meditation
Thurs. 9/26
The Fundamental Teachings of Buddhist Philosophy
-Rahula: chapters II, VI, and III, and pp. 92-94
-handout: “King Milinda and Nagasena’s Chariot Simile”
Tues. 10/1
The Fundamental Teachings of Buddhist Philosophy (continued)
-handout: Joseph Goldstein, “Dependent Origination” (from The Experience of
Insight)
-handout: The Dalai Lama, “The Buddhist Worldview” and “Life Impelled by
Ignorance” (from The Meaning of Life)
-handout: The Kaccayanagotta Sutta
Thurs. 10/3
The Fundamental Teachings of Buddhist Philosophy (continued)
-Rahula: Chapters IV and V
-handout: selections from Theravada Buddhism’s “Pali Canon”
Tues. 10/8
Buddhist Meditation I: Theravada Buddhist Meditation
- handout: Damien Keown, “Meditation” (from Buddhism: A Very Short
Introduction)
-handout: Shinzen Young, “Buddhist Mediation” (from The Buddhist Religion)
**Evening Documentary Showing: “Doing Time, Doing Vipassana”**
Thurs. 10/10 Buddhist Ethics I: The Layperson’s Morality of Giving, the Five Precepts, and
Merit-Making
-handout: Peter Harvey, Introduction to Buddhist Ethics (pp. 60-88 and 97-122)
Tues. 10/15
Reformation in Buddhist Thought: Mahayana Buddhism’s Prajna-Paramita
(“Perfection of Wisdom”) Literature
-Williams: “Abhidharma,” (pp. 15-18), “ The Justification of Mahayana Sutras,”
(pp. 38-44), and Chapter 2
-handout: The Hridaya (“Heart”) Sutra
-handout: Geshe Rabten, commentary on the Heart Sutra
Thurs. 10/17 The Systemization and Elucidation of “Perfection of Wisdom” Thought:
Nagarjuna and the Madhyamaka School
-Williams: Chapter 3, “Madhyamaka”
-handout: Chapter 24 of Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamakakarikas
Tues. 10/22
**Mid-Term Exam**
Thurs. 10/24 Mahayana Buddhist Teachings on Mind and Buddha-Nature
-Williams, pp. 84-88, 92-100, 103-109, & 119-122
-handout: selections from Cittamatra (“Mind-Only”) or Yogacara (“Yoga
Practice”) and Tathagatagarbha (“Buddha-Womb”) literature
Tues. 10/29
Buddhist Mediation II: Zen and the Realization of Buddha-Nature
-Suzuki: selections
Thurs. 10/31 Topics in Buddhist Ethics II: The Bodhisattva and the Way of Compassion
-Santideva: Bodhicaryavatara, General Introduction and Chapters 1-5
Tues. 11/5
Topics in Buddhist Ethics II: The Bodhisattva and the Way of Compassion
(continued)
-Santideva: Bodhicaryavatara, Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 10
Thurs 11/7
The Varieties of Buddhist Meditation III: Tantra and the Practice of “Diety
Yoga”
-Yeshe: Chapters 1-4
The Varieties of Buddhist Meditation III: Tantra and the Practice of “Diety
Yoga” (continued)
-Yeshe: Chapters10-12
**Evening Documentary Showing: “Mandala: The Sacred Circle of Vajrabhairava”
Tues. 11/12
Thurs. 11/14 Topics in Buddhist Ethics III: Buddhism, Non-Violence, and Peace-Making
-handout: Harvey, “War and Peace”
III. Sangha: Community Life in the World
The “Fourfold Sangha”: Monastic and Lay Living
-handout: Roger Corliss, “The Monastic Life” & “Buddhism in Family Life”
**Evening Documentary Showing: “Footprint of the Buddha”**
Tues. 11/19
Thurs. 11/21 A New (?) Vision of a World Sangha
Nichtern, chapters 1-3)
Tues. 11/26
No class. Instructor away at a conference
Thurs. 11/28 No class. Thanksgiving Day
Tues. 12/3
Nichtern, chapters 4-6
Thurs. 12/5
Nichtern, chapters 7-10
**Final Exam**: TBA
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.