CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE
Department of Religious Studies
RS 390of Buddhism
SP 2015
Dr. Robert E. Shore-Goss
Office Hours: Wednesday 9:30-10:30 AM
Robert.goss@csun.edu
revdrbobshoregoss@mccinthevalley.com
Off Campus Phone: 818-762-1133
I am medicine for the sick and weary.
May I be their physician and their nurse
until disease appears no more,
may I strike down the anguish of thirst and hunger
may I be food and drink to them
in famine and disaster
may I be an inexhaustible treasure for those in need may I be their servant
to give them all they desire......Shantideva, The Entry into the Bodhisattva Path
Buddhism is for social as well as personal liberation....Sulak Sivaraksa. Loyalty
Demands Dissent.
Developing a kind heart does not involve any of the sentimental religiosity normally
associated with it. It i not just for the people who believe in religion; it is for everyone,
irrespective of race, religion, and political affiliation...The Dalai Lama
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
This course will examine the emergence of the Buddhism(s) in India, Southeast
Asia, East Asia, Tibet, and in the United States. It will examine monastic and lay
Buddhisms, the development of Mahayana and Vajrayana vehicles of Buddhism,
and the emergence of Engaged Buddhism and contemporary meditation
movements in Asia and the West. Attention will be paid to Buddhist saints,
meditative practices and rituals, art and architecture, philosophy, and Buddhist
responses to contemporary social issues.
Student Learning Objectives for RS390. Buddhism
Students will be able to:
1. Identify and define the major Buddhist schools and their philosophies.
2. Show an ability to analyze Buddhist texts and describe in detail the
central teachings and practices of Buddhism.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the variations of Buddhism in the
context of diverse Asian cultures.
4. Describe the growth of Buddhism in the West, especially in the United States.
Additional University Criteria met by RS 390 OL:
This course meets the requirements of Comparative Cultural Studies (Section F2) of the General Education program. It aims to help students to appreciate the
diversity of world views and values so as to enable them to become aware of the
importance of understanding people in non-Western cultures as well as gain the
critical insight into the nature of their ethnocentric assumptions and traditions.
This course is certified for Information Competent Course.
WRITING INTENSIVE:
(GE Designation WI) Goal:
Students will develop their abilities to express themselves and the knowledge
they have obtained through practicing various forms of writing within different
disciplinary contexts. Writing intensive courses will build upon the skills gained
in the Analytical Reading and Expository Writing section of Basic Skills. In each
WI course students will be required to complete writing assignments totaling a
minimum of 2500 words. Student Learning Outcomes Students will:
1. Develop and clearly define their ideas through writing;
2. Ethically integrate sources of various kinds into their writing;
3. Compose texts through drafting, revising, and completing a finished
product;
4. Express themselves through their writing by posing questions, making
original claims, and coherently structuring complex ideas;
5. Revise their writing for greater cogency and clarity;
6. Utilize adopted communication modes and documentation styles of
specific disciplines (MLA, APA, Chicago, CBE, etc) where appropriate.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You are required to read the weekly assignments or do the internet assignments
for class discussion. (5% of your grade) Students in this course who have done
well have done the read and internet assignments.
There will be a midterm with three essays, you will choose to answer two out
three) (30% of your grade)
Part of your semester assignment is an individual required field trip to the Thai
Buddhist Wat on Coldwater and Roscoe and write up. This is a fun experience,
and you might want to bring a friend along for the experience. (20% of your
grade.)
There is a final paper (10-15 pages) due at the latest on December 15th (45%).
The final research paper will be on Engaged Buddhist response to a modern
issue. The book Engaged Buddhism in the West presents some suggestive
topics. Do not wait till the end of the semester to decide on a topic.
Final Grade and the Grade on Research Paper will be letter grades, with plus and
minus. There is no higher grade than A in this course.
There are times you may fall back. After two weeks, without some
communication that is legitimate, you will be marked by 1 point. Most
week assignments are graded 1-5 scale. After 5 weeks lateness, you
will be marlked down by 2 points.
Overall weekly assignments constitute 30% of your final grade.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Charles S. Prebish & Damien Keown, Introducing Buddhism, New York,
Routledge, 2006
John Powers, Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, 2nd edition, Ithaca, Snow Lion
Publications, SUNY, 2008.
Christopher Queen (ed) Engaged Buddhism in the West, Boston, Wisdom
Publications, 2000. (kindle edition) You can download the kindle app to
computer or mobile device.
.
Plus Internet Assignments.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Ken Jones, The New Social Face of Buddhism: A Call to Action,
Sommerville, Wisdom Publications, 2003.
Susan Moon (ed), Not Turning Away, The Practice of Engaged Buddhism,
Boston, Shambhala, 2004.
Christopher Queen, Engaged Buddhism: Liberation Movement in Asia,
Albany, SUNY, 1996.
Christopher Queen (ed), Action Dharma: New Studies in Engaged Buddhism,
Routledge, Curzon, 2003.
SOME VIRTUAL RESOURCES:
Buddhist Studies Virtual Library http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVL-Buddhism.html
Buddhist Studies Art Resources http://kaladarshan.arts.ohiostate.edu/anu/buddhart.html
Tibetan Studies http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVL-TibetanStudies.html
Engaged Buddhism http://www.dharmanet.org/engaged.html
Thich Nhat Hanh and Engaged Buddhism
http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/resources/14_precepts.html
Buddhist Peace Fellowships
http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/resources/14_precepts.html
1) Week of January 20 Introduction Lesson 1
Prebish & Keown, pp. 1-42
Explore Buddhist Studies Virtual Library http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVLBuddhism.html
Watch PBS The Buddha. http://video.pbs.org/video/1461557530/
Answer the Following Questions: Due January 27 (email: do not upload to
moodle)
1) What religious values does the story of the life of the Buddha communicate?
2) What elements from the life of the Buddha speak to you on a personal level?
3) Explain the Buddhist notion of karma and nirvana.
4) What is the significance of impermanence in the life of the Buddha and for
Buddhists?
*Please note that students who have been successful in online courses wrote
more than one page per question.
Email back to robert.goss@csun.edu
2) Week of September 2 The Buddha and His Message Lesson 2
Prebish and Keown , pp. 43-71
Explore Buddhist Studies Art Resources http://kaladarshan.arts.ohiostate.edu/anu/buddhart.html
The Four Noble Truths,
http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm
Answer the questions below. (Remember one page per question) Due February 3
(email: do not upload to moodle)
1) What were the four sights that drove Siddartha in his religious quest? Explain
them.
2) Explain the four Noble Truths (Do not just list) Explain the progression
of the 4 truths and how they are related.
3) Describe what you learned on your virtual tour? (A virtual tour is a playful
exploration of the internet site and affiliated links. Enjoy and follow your
curiosity and be able to discuss what you discovered)
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
3) February 3 The Sangha: From Wilderness Movement to Institution Lesson 3
Powers, pp. 56-80
Explore Stupas
http://www.stupa.org.nz/
http://www.buddhanet.net/stupa.htm
http://www.shambhalamountain.org/stupa.html
http://www.stupa.org.nz/stupa/intro.htm
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due Feb. 10 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) What are Buddhist notions: karma no-soul (anatman), dependent arising,
arhat?
2) How did the sangha originate, and what are the main principles
governing daily lives of monks and nuns?
3) What role does a stupa play in Indian Buddhism?
4) What did you discover on your virtual tours?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
4) February 10 Ashoka and Meditation Lesson 4
Powers, pp. 56-80
Explore Stupas
http://www.stupa.org.nz/
http://www.buddhanet.net/stupa.htm
http://www.shambhalamountain.org/stupa.html
http://www.stupa.org.nz/stupa/intro.htm
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due Feb. 17 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) Are the rock edicts expressions of Buddhist values? Be specific.
2) How did Ashoka help the spread of Buddhism?
3) Give a definition of Engaged Buddhism. Explain the three characteristics of
Engaged Buddhism.
5) What did you discover on your virtual tours?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
5 February 17 Mahayana Buddhism and Meditation Rituals Lesson 5
Prebish & Keown , 94-129
Powers, 101-131
Queen, pp. 95-124
Listen to Roshi Bernie Glassman on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IPIgskqXxg
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due Feb. 24 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) Describe the following: Bodhisattva, Emptiness, Karuna (compassion),
Nagarjuna
2) What are the chief features of Mahayana doctrine?
3) What is the difference between calming meditation (shamatha) and
insight meditation (vipashyana)?
4) What are the differences between Mahayana and Theravada (earlier
Buddhist) forms of meditation?
5) How does Bernie Glassman make explicit Mahayana values of
bodhisattva in his engaged Buddhist practice?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
6 February 24 Theravadan: Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand Lesson 6
Prebish & Keown, pp. 137-153.
Theravadan Buddhism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada
Thai Watt Visit (North Hollywood, Rosco and Coldwater) Due March 3
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due March 3 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) Write up your visit to the Thai Buddhist Watt. Describe any rituals, the
Temple complex, and any conversations that you may have. What acts
of piety and ritual are non-monks performing?
2) Often Theravadan Buddhism has two forms-- lay and monastic
Buddhism. What are the orientations or goals of each?
3) What are the general features of Buddhism in Southeast Asia?
4) What is meant by “Great Tradition” and the “Little Tradition”? Give an
example of the “Little Tradition”?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
7 March 3 Indian Vajrayana Buddhism Lesson 7
Powers, pp. 249-318
Queen, pp. 67-92
Prebish and Keown, pp. 129-132
The Buddhist Peace Fellowship: http://bpf.org/html/home.html
The 84 Siddhas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddha
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due March 10 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) What are the general doctrines of Tantric Buddhism?
2) Describe Tantric forms of meditation? How does it differ from earlier forms of
Buddhist meditation?
3) Who are the 84 siddhas? How does the notion of siddha contrast with
Buddhist notions of arhat and bodhisattva?
4) Explain the goals of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. What did you learn about
the Buddhist Peace Fellowship?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
8 March 10 East Asian Buddhism: Lesson 8
Prebish & Keown, 129 & 133, 154-174.
Queen, pp. 247-278
Article by Dr. Goss will be emailed to you.
Internet
The Gay Buddhist Fellowship, http://www.gaybuddhist.org/frame_right.html.
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due MARCH 17 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
Answer the Following Questions: Due March 17
1) What are the differences between Hua-yen, Pure Land, and Ch’an (Zen)
Buddhism?
2) Why were Pure Land and Ch’an Buddhism able to survive anti-Buddhist
persecution in China?
3) Describe two Japanese Buddhist Schools?
4) What are the issues of gays/lesbians and transgendered folks with
Buddhism?
5) How do gays/lesbians integrate sexuality into their meditation
practices?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
9 March 17 Tibet Lesson 9
Powers, pp. 137-179
Prebish & Keown, pp. 176-192.
Rent the DVD Kun-Dun
Internet:
Pema Chodron on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7qFi52FX1Q
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due March 24 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) What means do Tibetans use to discover and validate the incarnation of the
Dalai Lama?
2) What are your reflections on Kun Dun?
3) Describe your experience in watching Pema Chodron. What did you learn?
4) Tibetans divide their history into the first and second dissemination of
Buddhism. Characterize the events of both periods in the spread and
inculturation of Buddhism in Tibet.
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
10 March 24 Tibetan Buddhism Lesson 10
Powers, 219-248
Queen, pp. 159-179
See State Oracle and Robert Thurman on Global Warming on YouTube
Google: Buddhism, ecology
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due March 31 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) Describe three Tibetan Buddhist festivals. What is uniquely Tibetan
about these rituals? How are they Buddhist?
2) What do the rituals say about the synthesis of indigenous
culture/religion with Buddhism?
3) What traditional Buddhist notions are useful to ecological action?
4) How are Buddhists becoming environmentally active? What notions
within Buddhism provide for Buddhist eco-activism?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
11 March 31 Tibetan Book of the Dead Lesson 11
Powers. pp. 283-345
Goss, “Tibetan Buddhism and the Bardo of Grief,
“http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ADM/goss.htm
Tibetan Book of the Dead, http:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRT_AXiKFpA&feature=related
(watch a couple of segments) It is very good.
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due April 7 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) What does bar-do mean? What are the 3 bar-dos of the death process?
Explain each of the three stages
2) How does a deceased achieve liberation from the cycles of rebirth? .
3) The Tibetan Book of the Dead is described as a guidebook for the dead. But it
is equally a guidebook for the living. Explain how? How do Tibetan Buddhists
handle their grief?
4) What are the distinctive characteristics of Nyingmapa Buddhist School?
5) Who is Padmasambhava?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
April 6-10 Spring Recess
12 April 14 Tibetan Buddhism: Kagyu and Sakya Lesson 12
Powers, pp. 399-428; 433-464.
Queen, pp. 328-344
Google Chogyam Trungpa, Naropa Universit, and Shambhala Meditation Centers.
Listen to a couple of segments of talks from Chogyma Trungpa on YouTube
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due April 21 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) What are the distinctive teachings of the Kagyu school? Who is Milarepa?
2) What did you learn about Chogyam Trungpa’s life and his notion of crazy
wisdom? As a controversial figure?
3) What programs do the Shambhala Meditation Centers offer American
Buddhists?
4) Explain how Naropa University has become a degree program for engaged
Buddhism?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
13 April 21 The Geluk School and the Dalai Lama Lesson 13
Powers, 181-218, 467-494
Queen, 218-242, 307-387, 397-506
Choose 3 Different Topics that Dalai Lama addresses on YouTube
Read the Dalai Lama’s Acceptance Speech of the Nobel Peace Prize,
http://www.tibet.com/DL/nobelaccept.html
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due April 28 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) What are the distinctive teachings of the Geluk school?
2) What did you learn from the Dalai Lama in your choice of youtube
presentations?
3) What are the chief points of the Dalai Lama’s speech accepting the 1989 Nobel
Peace Prize?
4) What are the distinctive teachings of the Gelukpa school? As opposed to the
Nyingmapa and Kagyupa?
Email back to Robert.goss@csun.edu
14 April 28 Engaged Buddhism
Internet Assignment:
Google search on Asian Engaged Buddhists: Aung San Sui Kyi, Thich Nhat
Hanh, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Sulak Sivaraksa
Google Search: Think Sangha and Buddhist Network of Engaged Buddhism
Listen to Dr. Ambedkar on Mahatma Gandhi on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FNSQcEx02A
Answer the questions below (1 page per question) Due May 5 (email: do not
upload to moodle)
1) Write on your two favorite Asian Engaged Buddhists (1 page per person).
2) Buddhists are divided on whether “Engaged Buddhism” is a new development
in Buddhism or an expression of traditional Buddhism. Be specific as possible
as you weigh in on this debate.
3) What did you discover about the Think Sangha and Buddhist Network of
Engaged Buddhists
Mail to: Robert.goss@csun.edu
May 13th Final Paper Due: emailed to me