Introduction to Buddhist Traditions (REL 109)
Department of Religion
Wake Forest University
Fall 2009
Instructor: Dr. Lucas Johnston
Office: 018A Winston Hall
Office Hours: 10am-11:30am (or by appointment)
Email: johnstlf@wfu.edu
Course Overview:
This course fulfills the divisional Humanities and the Cultural Diversity requirement. The
course aims to provide an introduction to the history, practices and philosophies associated
with various expressions of Buddhism in Asia and, toward the end of the course, Buddhisms
in North America. We will examine the roots of Buddhist traditions in India, their spread
and translation into other cultural contexts, and their interaction with other cultural
movements and expressions.
Learning Outcomes:
It is my hope that by the end of the course students will:
1. Recognize that religions are multi-dimensional and widely variable
2. Learn to appreciate cultural difference without leaping to evaluation
3. Understand some of the complex ways in which religious practice and belief can
reinforce or challenge existing socio-political circumstances
4. Have a basic understanding of the foundational tenets of most expressions of
Buddhism and the differences between the most commonly recognized schools of
Buddhist practice and thought
Required Texts:
Gethin, Rupert. 1998. The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Strong, John. 2002. The Experience of Buddhism (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Trainor, Kevin (ed.). 2004. Buddhism: The Illustrated Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Assignments and Grading:
Study Questions 15%: (5 of 7 sets of questions): I will place seven sets of questions on
Blackboard during the semester. These are designed to help guide your readings and
stimulate you to integrate the information. You are required to turn in only five of
them in for a grade over the course of the semester. Each question should be
answered in one or two paragraphs and should demonstrate the student understands
of the material.
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Tests (3) 60%: TEST 1: F (9/25); TEST 2: W (11/4): TEST 3: W (12/4)
Participation 10%: Class attendance and participation is expected from all students. All
students are allowed two unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence beyond this
will result in a three point reduction in class participation grade. Students missing
five or more classes will fail the course, or will be asked to withdraw. Absences may
be excused if written requests are submitted in advance or if written explanations are
submitted with valid documentation.
Immersion Experience or Book Review 15%: Each student will either participate in at
least two activities at a Buddhist temple or center, OR read one of the books from
the list at the bottom of the syllabus. If student choose to complete the Immersion
Experience, they will be expected to attend two activities or events, interview at least
two or three other participants, and compose a 5-page paper articulating the ways in
which their experiences relate to the class readings and discussions, and explaining
whether the experience was valuable and why. If students choose to complete the
Book Review project, they will compose a 5-page paper clearly stating the main
theme/argument of the book, its relevance to the course material, and the student’s
own assessment of how well the author makes her/his argument.
Expectations:
1) Handing in Assignments: Study questions should be turned in at the beginning of
class on the due date. Emailed assignments will not be accepted without explicit
prior approval from the professor.
2) Late or Make-Up Assignments: Late assignments will be deducted a half a letter
grade each day they are late. Extensions may be granted in extraordinary
circumstances with the approval of the professor.
3) Completion of All Assignments: Students must complete all written and oral
assignments and fulfill the requirements for class participation in order to pass the
class. Students missing assignments will fail or be granted an incomplete (in special
cases).
4) Attendance and Participation: Class participation is counted as a significant
portion of the final grade (10%). Please see discussion above for more details (under
“Assignments and Grading”).
5) Common Courtesy: Cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices must be
turned off before class. Students who receive or send phone calls or text messages
during class will be asked to leave. The professor reserves the right to ask any
student engaging in disruptive behavior (e.g. talking, reading newspaper, etc.) to leave
the class. It is always important to treat every person and opinion with respect. In
addition, it is essential that you present yourself and your opinions to your peers and
instructors with respect and sensitivity.
6) The Not So Fine Print: Plagiarizing is completely unacceptable under any
circumstances. Please read and be familiar with the university’s definition of and
policy regarding plagiarism as described in the Code of Student Conduct as described
in the Student Handbook (see
http://www.wfu.edu/studentlife/judicial/pdf/handbook.pdf, especially the
definition on pp. 75-76). Also, please explore this website for more information:
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http://www.plagiarism.org/. Any student caught cheating, plagiarizing, or otherwise
violating the honor code in any assignment will fail the course.
7) A Liberal Arts Education: Read and familiarize yourself with the guiding principles
and values that form the basis of Wake Forest’s educational philosophy here:
http://newstudents.wfu.edu/section.php?s=general&p=guiding_principles.
8) Disabilities and Special Arrangements: If you have a disability that requires
special arrangements (e.g. note- and/or test-taking), please contact the Learning
Assistance Center in Reynolda 117 (758-5929), and/or see this webpage for more
information:
http://newstudents.wfu.edu/section.php?s=general&p=disability_services. In
addition, please contact me within the first two weeks of class to ensure that we
make appropriate arrangements for facilitating your educational experience. Every
effort will be made to accommodate those with registered disabilities.
9) Counseling Center: Sometimes college life is hard! If you need support with
personal mental and emotional health, please see the Counseling Center’s website:
http://www.wfu.edu/ucc/ .
Course Outline:
WEEK 1:
Introduction to the course
W (8/26): Expectations and Syllabus Review
The Indian Context of Buddhism
F (8/28): Trainor, pp. 12-21
WEEK 2:
M (8/31): Gethin, pp. 1-13; Trainor 58-61
The Buddha
Background and Birth
W (9/2): Trainor, pp. 22-27; Gethin, pp. 13-20
The Renunciation
F (9/4): Trainor, pp. 28-33; Strong 9-12; 14-17
STUDY QUESTIONS 1:
WEEK 3:
The Awakening
M (9/7): Gethin, pp. 22-27; Trainor, pp. 34-37; Strong 23-26
Parinirvana
W (9/9): Trainor, pp. 40-45; Strong, pp. 34-43; Gethin, pp. 27-34
Buddha’s Teachings: The Dharma
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
F (9/11): Gethin, “Four Truths,” pp. 59-84 (exclude pp. 74-79)
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WEEK 4:
M (9/14): Strong, “Realizing the Four Noble Truths,” pp. 32-34; Trainor, “The Four Noble
Truths” and “The Noble Eightfold Path,” pp. 64-70
Tenets of Buddhist Philosophy
W (9/16): Strong, “Malinda and the Chariot,” “The Buddha’s Silence,” “Interdependent
Origination,” pp. 90-95, 96-97, 100-102; Recommended: Gethin, pp. 133-149, 156-162
The Sangha, the State, and Schism
F (9/18): Trainor, “A New Community,” pp. 46-55;
STUDY QUESTIONS 2:
WEEK 5:
M (9/21): Strong, “Buddhism and the State,” 82-87; “Doctrinal Issues,” pp. 128-133;
Gethin, “The Mahayana sutras,” pp. 56-58
W (9/23): Test Review
F (9/25): TEST 1
WEEK 6:
Mahayana in India
M (9/28): Trainor, “Mahayana Buddhism,” pp. 132-139
W (9/30): Gethin, pp. “The Mahayana,” pp. 224-231, 234-250 (234-237)
F (10/2): Strong, “Parable of the Burning House,” pp. 135-140, “The Heart Sutra,” pp. 142144 “The Practice of the Perfections” and “The Skillful Means of Vimalakirti,” pp. 166-169
Trainor, “Emptiness,” pp. 140-141
STUDY QUESTIONS 3:
WEEK 7:
Buddhism in China
M (10/5): Trainor, pp. 150-161
W (10/7): Gethin, “China, Korea and Japan,” pp. 257-266;
F (10/9): Strong, “Buddhists and the Practice of Buddhism: China,” pp. 287-293; 300-310
WEEK 8:
Buddhism in Korea and Japan
M (10/12): Trainor, pp. 150-161; Strong, “Buddhists and Buddhism in Practice: Japan,” pp.
314-319; Gethin 259-264; 335-338 (on Korea)
W (10/14): Kapleau, The Three Pillars of Zen, “Theory and Practice of Zazen,” pp. 29-37
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Zen works…Dogen, etc.
Video: Land of the Disappearing Buddha
F (10/16): FALL BREAK
STUDY QUESTIONS 4:
MIDTERM GRADES DUES 10/18
WEEK 9:
Buddhism in Southeast Asia
M (10/19): Trainor, pp. 130-131; Strong, “Buddhists and the Practice of Buddhism: Sri
Lanka and Southeast Asia,” pp. 213-216, 219-226
W (10/21): Gethin, “Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka and South-East Asia, pp. 253-257;
Strong (con’t.), 241-250
F (10/23): Trainor, pp. 120-131
WEEK 10:
Vajrayana (Esoteric) Buddhism
Tantric Buddhism in India
M (10/26): Trainor, pp. 162-173
Tibetan Buddhism
W (10/28): Strong, “Buddhists and the Practice of Buddhism: The Tibetan Cultural Area,”
pp. 251-261
F (10/30): Gethin, “Tibet and Mongolia: Northern Buddhism,” pp. 266-273
STUDY QUESTIONS 5:
WEEK 11:
M (11/2): Test Review
W(11/4): TEST 2
The Dharma Comes West
F (11/6): Gethin, “A Final Note: Buddhism in the West,” pp. 273-276; Strong, “Buddhists
and the Practice of Buddhism: The West,” pp. 339-347
WEEK 12:
M (11/9): CLASS CANCELLED for AAR
W (11/11): Fields, pp. 204-206, 210-224; Strong (con’t.), pp. 349-360
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F (11/13): Snyder, Gary. “Blue Mountains Constantly Walking,” Stephanie Kaza and
Kenneth Kraft (eds.) Dharma Rain. Boston: Shambhala (2000), pp. 125-141.
STUDY QUESTIONS 6:
WEEK 13:
Buddhism and Ethics
M (11/16): LaFleur, William. “Saving the Rainforest of Ethics: Society, Urgency and the
Study of Asia,” Journal of Buddhist Ethics, Vol. 7 (2000).(Blackboard)
W (11/18): Sivaraksa, Sulak. “Buddhism with a Small b,” Stephanie Kaza and Kenneth Kraft
(eds.) Dharma Rain. Boston: Shambhala (2000), 117-125. (Blackboard)
F (11/20): Gross, Rita. “Population, Consumption, and Environment,” Stephanie Kaza and
Kenneth Kraft (eds.) Dharma Rain. Boston: Shambhala (2000), pp. 409-422. (Blackboard)
WEEK 14:
Engaged Buddhism
M (11/23): Kraft, Kenneth. “Buddhism—Engaged,” Bron Taylor (ed.) Encyclopedia of Religion
and Nature. London: Continuum, 239-241. (Blackboard)
Bond, George. “Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement,” Bron Taylor (ed.) Encyclopedia of Religion
and Nature. London: Continuum, 1482-1483. (Blackboard)
THANKSGIVING, NOVEMBER 24-29
M (11/30): Macy, Joanna. “The Third Turning of the Wheel,” Stephanie Kaza and Kenneth
Kraft (eds.) Dharma Rain. Boston: Shambhala (2000), pp. 150-160. (Blackboard)
W (12/2): Test Review
STUDY QUESTIONS 7:
WEEK 15:
F (12/4): Test 3
Books for Review:
Thich Nhat Hahn, Peace is Every Step
Noah Levine, Against the Stream
Sumi Loundon, Blue Jean Buddha
Pankaj Mishra, An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World
Stephanie Kaza, Hooked: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume
Norman Phelps, The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animals
David Loy, The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory
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