RS497B: ProSeminar in Religion and Culture
Buddhism and the Environment
SH314 TH, 4:00-6:45 PM
Prof. Kenneth D. Lee
Office: Santa Susana 234, TH 1-2 or by appt.
klee@csun.edu, 818-677-2357
Course Description:
A thematic course on Buddhist perspectives on nature and Buddhist responses to environmental
issues. The first half of the course focuses on Buddhist cosmological and doctrinal perspectives
on the place of the human in nature and the relationship between the salvific goals of Buddhism
and nature. The second half of the course examines Buddhist ethics, economics, and activism in
relation to environmental issues in contemporary Southeast Asia, East Asia, and North America.
Prerequisites: RS major
Course Objectives/Outcomes:
(1) Examine Buddhist perspectives on nature and Buddhist responses to environmental issues;
(2) Learn Buddhist teachings, which promote eco-living and develop sustainable communities;
(3) Read, discuss and evaluate Buddhist ethics, economics, and activism in relation to
environmental issues;
(4) Research, discuss, and critique current literature and films pertaining to Buddhism and
environmental issues;
(5) Develop critical thinking skills through research, analysis, discussion, and dissemination.
Course Requirements:
6 Short Papers (10 pts. each; 60 pts): There will be 6 short writing assignments (2 full pages,
double-spaced, 12-pt font, 1” margins; ~500 words) which will based on your readings and
analyzing Buddhist perspectives on environmental issues. TBA
Team PowerPoint Presentation (15 pts; 10 pts for PPT, 5 pts. for oral): Teams will be assigned
to prepare a powerpoint presentation (8-10 slides with speaker notes, about a half-page paragraph
per slide) on a Buddhist community/society that currently promotes eco-living. PowerPoint must
include at least 5 reliable sources.
Film Review (10 pts.): Write a 2-page film review (~500 words) that describes and analyzes a
current film or documentary on environmental issues and provide a response, which discusses
Buddhist perspectives.
Research Paper (20 pts.): Select a notable Buddhist figure (e.g., Kukai, Dogen, Dalai Lama,
etc.) and write a 6-8-page paper (~1500 words), which examines their views on eco-conscious
living with connection to relevant Buddhist sutras; you must include at least three(3)
reliable/academic sources (use APA format). More description will be given towards the end of
the semester. Students will also give oral reports on their research paper during the last week of
classes.
Abstract, Outline, and References (5 pts): Your research topic, 150-word abstract, an outline,
and at least 3 references (writing in APA format) will be due one-week before the final research
paper.
Submission of Assignments: All assignments must be submitted to the instructor as a hard-copy
in class on the due date; do not submit any assignments via email. Late submissions will incur a
20% penalty (within one week); papers more than one week late will not be accepted. The final
research paper must be submitted on or before the due date, however, to ensure timely
grading/reporting of final grades.
Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism is defined as "intentionally or knowingly representing the words,
ideas, or work of another as one's own in any academic exercise." There is a zero-tolerance
policy toward plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty in this course. This means
that anyone found taking credit for work that is not his or her own, or cheating in any other way,
will receive a failing grade for the entire course.
Summary of assignments/points:
5 Short papers
50
Team PPT
10
Team Oral
5
Film Review
10
Abstract/Outline/Ref. 5
Research Paper
20
_________________________
Total =
100 pts.
Grading (%): 94-100 A, 90-93 A-, 87-89 B+, 84-86 B, 80-83 B-, 77-79 C+, 74-76 C, 70-73 C-,
60-69 D, <60 F.
Required Texts (available for purchase at the bookstore):
J. Baird Callicott and Roger T. Ames. (eds.) Nature in Asian Traditions of Thought: Essays in
Environmental Philosophy. (SUNY Press, 1989)
Stephanie Kaza and Kenneth Kraft. (eds.) Dharma Rain: Sources of Buddhist
Environmentalism. (Shambhala Publ., 2000)
Gary Snyder. The Practice of the Wild. (North Point Press, 1990)
SCHEDULE
Week 1: Introduction to the Course
Week 2: Buddhism and Eco-living in current literature.
Kaza/Kraft (Intro); PAPER #1 DUE
Week 3: Nature in Buddhist Cosmology: Humans, Animals, and Plants
Kaza/Kraft (23-28); PAPER #2 DUE
Week 4: Jewel Net of Indra: Chinese Buddhist Visions of Interdependence
Callicott/Ames (67-78; 213-230); Kaza/Kraft (58-61); PAPER #3 DUE
Week 5: Buddha Nature: Medieval Japanese Buddhists
Callicott/Ames (183-212)
Week 6: Buddhist Veneration of Mountains and Water: China and Japan
Kaza/Kraft (43-57, 65-78, 125-150); TEAM PPT DUE
Week 7: Buddhist Environmental Philosophy in the American Landscape
Kaza/Kraft (329-339, 444-445); PAPER #4 DUE
Week 8: Gary Snyder’s Buddhist Ecology
Snyder (all); PAPER #5 DUE
Week 9: Environmental Ethics and the Buddhist Precepts
Kaza/Kraft (198-205, 340-52).
Week 10: Right Livelihood: Buddhist Economics and Business Ethics
Kaza/Kraft (178-190, 246-252); PAPER #6 DUE
Week 11: FILE REVIEW DUE
Week 12: SPRING BREAK
Week 13: Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Environmental Activism
Kaza/Kraft (241-45, 252-260; 278-302; 369-392); ABSTRACT/OUTLINE DUE
Week 14-15: Student Presentations; RESEARCH PAPER DUE