HUMAN 105, Fall, 2012, Dr. Harnett
Week 9 Class Notes, page 1
Monday, October 29, 2012
Oral Reports. Listen carefully and participate in the presenter’s questions or
other activities that are included. Everyone needs to find a way to involve the
class in the Oral Report presentation. Reminder about scoring, copied from the
Oral Report assignment handout:
The Oral Report is worth 50 points:
20 for organization & focus in the outline and the oral report itself, keeping
within the 5-minute maximum
20 for showing how the topic is related to the given unit of this course
10 for clarity and effectiveness of the presentation—speaking clearly, not
merely reading the outline or slides, making sure that everyone
understands, using visual aids such as PowerPoint slide shows,
etc.
Announcements: One option for Unit 3 enrichment is to visit a Buddhist
temple or center. Benefits of going: aside from the personal enrichment that is by
far the best reason, you may use such a visit for your Unit 3 Outside Report. I also
will give you 10 points of extra credit, which is the same as an average-sized
Annotations assignment, if, for instance, you happened to miss one or did not do
as well as you might have on one.
 Buddhist Temple that we will visit (if you’d like to go; date TBA): Hsi Lai
Buddhist Temple. http://www.hsilai.org/
 A Buddhist Temple: The Zenshuji Soto Mission in the Little Tokyo district
of downtown Los Angeles, which has been there since the early 1920s.
http://www.zenshuji.org/home.html .
o From the home page, click on Monthly Calendar to see planned
events. As far as I can tell, you can visit the temple at other times
during the day and see how things go there.
 Another historic Buddhist Temple (since 1905): The Nishi Hongwanji Los
Angeles Betsuin on 815 1st Street, Los Angeles.
http://www.nishihongwanji-la.org/index.html
o Sunday services are at 10:00 AM.
o Under the Services link, look at the Sutras and Readings to see this
particular Temple’s, and branch of Buddhism’s, approach.
 A Place We Visited a Few Years Ago—Tibetan Buddhist approach
o Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles
963 Colorado Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90041
This is in Eagle Rock.
http://la.shambhala.org/
 Oral Reports. Note the Criteria for them on the Oral Reports
information page:
o The Oral Report is worth 50 points:
o 20 for organization & focus in the outline and the oral report itself,
keeping within the 5-minute maximum
HUMAN 105, Fall, 2012, Dr. Harnett
Week 9 Class Notes, page 2
o 20 for showing how the topic is related to the given unit of this
course
o 10 for clarity and effectiveness of the presentation—speaking
clearly, not merely reading the outline or slides, making sure that
everyone understands, using visual aids such as PowerPoint slide
shows, etc.
See me as soon as you can about your Unit 3 Oral Report or Outside
Report.
Note: In our readings, you will see the words sutta and sutra in the titles of
certain documents. These words are basically synonymous. Sutta is Sanskrit, and
sutra is a Buddhist term meaning the teachings of the Buddha. Hindu teachings,
collected in the Vedas, the ancient texts, are also referred to as suttas; the Vedas
were written in the ancient Sanskrit language. The word originally meant thread,
as in the surgical term suture.
Among many possible sources, here is one dictionary of Buddhist terms:
http://www.buddhanet.net/budsas/ebud/bud-dict/dic_idx.htm
Buddhist Readings and Materials—Take Notes as We Discuss Them
Note that we covered some of these last time.
 Buddhism Information (selections) at
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/buddhaintro.html
1. Introduction: What are the priorities and purpose of Buddhism, as
summarized in the statements from The Dhammapada?
2. Follow the link to the biography of the Buddha’s life. What
kind of life did Siddhartha Gautama live? When did he live? What
are the 2 basic stages of the change in his life? Explain the
significance of his last words.
 “The Basics of Buddhist Wisdom” at
http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/buddhawise.html
1. What are the 4 Noble Truths, in your own words? What does each
involve in daily living?
2. Choose one of the tenets of the Eightfold Path and explain how it is
to be enacted and followed.
3. Referring to the Kalama Sutta,
a. Summarize the criteria that distinguish good vs. bad teachers
and teachings
b. Simply explain the 4 Exalted Dwellings of the Brahma
Vihara.
c. Describe the 4 Solaces that lead to happiness if followed.
 “Some Simple Instructions for Living a Happy Life, Courtesy of the
Buddha” at http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/instructions.html
1. Explain the teachings of the brief sutras about living and experience:
2. Explain each of the Suttas (selected):
 The 3 brief suttas—Duggata, Sukhita, Mata Suttas
HUMAN 105, Fall, 2012, Dr. Harnett

Week 9 Class Notes, page 3
 Samajivina Sutta—Living in Tune [note: Dhamma (Sanskrit);
Dharma (more common term)] dharma means “the right way to
live” or “the order of the world”; compare to the concept of the Tao
(the way).
 Soma Sutta—Sister Soma: what’s the message about being a
woman?
 Kodhana Sutta—An Angry Person (paraphrased): What your
anger does for your enemies
 Ambalatthi karahulovada Sutta -- Lesson for Rahula at
Mango Stone (paraphrased): a lesson about lying, thinking before
we act in general
 Kucchivikara-vatthu -- The Monk with Dysentery: a lesson
in compassion
“The Heart Sutra” at http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/heartsutra.html
1. Name and briefly explain the 5 “aspects of human existence.”
2. Explain the idea of “emptiness” as presented in “The Heart Sutra.”
3. List the contradictions expressed in the 5th stanza. How might these be
explained or resolved, or are they meant to be resolved?
4. Explain the lesson of the Heart Sutra, focusing on the statements
that the Sutra tells us to say as it concludes:
Gaté,
gaté,
parasamgaté.
Bodhi!
Svaha!
 Buddhist Scriptures (selected from the main site at
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/sutras.htm
Selections:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

“Skillfulness” in The Wings to Awakening from the Pali Canon at
http://www.buddhanet.net/wings_1a.htm. Note: the first 5 pages are an
article that explains the Buddha’s approach to the idea of mastering a skill.
The Buddha’s discourse itself begins at the place marked § 1.
What are the 2 kinds of thinking that the Buddha delineates?
What do the examples of the “cowherd” (mentioned twice) show about
mindfulness?
What is the Buddha’s advice about telling what the truth is or not and how
to handle stress?
What does the Buddha define as “unskillful”?
What does the Buddha’s example of the mirror teach?
In sections 6-7, what does the Buddha advise so as to live well and be
skillful? Why does he give the advice he does in section 7 rather than
something more specific about skill itself?
Filial Piety Sutra at http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/filialsutra.htm
HUMAN 105, Fall, 2012, Dr. Harnett
Week 9 Class Notes, page 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
Why does the Buddha bow respectfully at a pile of bones beside the road?
What’s the basic argument for the need to repay our mothers?
Describe how a “filial” child is born, and how a rebellious child is born.
What do the Kindnesses indicate about motherhood from the Buddhist
perspective?
5. Describe what unfilial children do when they grow up, leave home, etc.
6. Summarize the actions mentioned to try to repay parents, and how much
of that attempting to repay them appears to be needed.
The Big Picture:
1. Summarize your impressions of the priorities of Buddhist teachings that
you have seen so far.
2. How would a Buddhist handle the following issues, judging from what you
have seen so far and your impressions of Buddhism?
a. Human potential
b. A child’s relationship with his or her parents through life; how
elders should be treated
c. Death
d. Halloween
For Next Time:Do readings and write 10 Annotations: 5 from “Maha
Mangala Sutta” and 5 from “Gospel of Buddha.” Also, prepare to
present one of the Zen Koans.
Buddhist Scriptures.

“Dukkhasacca Pabba (Section on the Noble Truth of Dukkha)” at
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/mahasati15.htm
 ***Annotations Due (at least 5): The Discourse on Blessings, called
the “Maha Mangala Sutta” from the section called Everyman’s Ethics
at http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/ethics_m.htm
 Gospel of Buddha at http://reluctantmessenger.com/gospel_buddha/index.htm ***Annotations:
select 5 chapters from chapters 2, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, 24, 32, 41, 43,
57, 65, 87, & 93. Note insights from them.
 Hand in both assignments on one document, clearly
marking each part (Maha Mangala Sutta and Gospel of
Buddha).
 Zen Koans (Parables) selected from list at
http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/zenindex.html
 Also, to prepare: Select 1 koan from the part of the list that
corresponds to the first letter of your last name:
 A-F: 1-24
 G-L: 25-48
 M-R: 49-72
 S-Z: 73-99
 Summarize each koan.
HUMAN 105, Fall, 2012, Dr. Harnett
Week 9 Class Notes, page 5
Explain a lesson you interpret from each one. You will
share this in class, so be ready!
 Begin reading the book A Policy of Kindness, some of
which is written by the Dalai Lama. We will work with that
book next week.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012—Happy Halloween!
Announcements: I will see about our visit to the Hsi Lai Temple as soon as I
hear back from them. Likely visit date: Friday, November 16 or Friday, November
9.
I will grade the Unit 2 Paper and Outside Reports ASAP as well. See me for any
help and feedback I can provide on your Unit 3 report if you are doing one this
unit.
Assignments Due: Annotations on Gospel of Buddha and “Maha Mangala
Sutta.” Also, be ready to share one of them with the class when I call on you.

***Annotations Due (at least 5): The Discourse on Blessings, called
the “Maha Mangala Sutta” from the section called Everyman’s Ethics
at http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/ethics_m.htm
 Gospel of Buddha at http://reluctantmessenger.com/gospel_buddha/index.htm ***Annotations:
select 5 chapters from chapters 2, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, 24, 32, 41, 43,
57, 65, 87, & 93. Note insights from them.
 Hand in both assignments on one document, clearly
marking each part (Maha Mangala Sutta and Gospel of
Buddha).
 Zen Koans (Parables) selected from list at
http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/zenindex.html
 Select 1 koan from the part of the list that corresponds to the first
letter of your last name:
 A-F: 1-24
 G-L: 25-48
 M-R: 49-72
 S-Z: 73-99
 Summarize each koan.
Explain a lesson you interpret from each one.
Oral Reports.
Buddhist Teachings.
 The Heart Sutra and other teachings (see notes for last time)
 An excerpt from the Mahasatipatthana Sutta, called “the most
important Sutta that the Buddha taught”:
 “Dukkhasacca Pabba (Section on the Noble Truth of Dukkha)”
at http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/mahasati15.htm
HUMAN 105, Fall, 2012, Dr. Harnett
Week 9 Class Notes, page 6
1. Define dukkha, one of the 4 Noble Truths.
2. List the kinds of dukkha delineated in this section.
3. Explain the final statement about “the aggregates of clinging.”
 Also, The Discourse on Blessings, called the “Maha Mangala
Sutta” from the section called Everyman’s Ethics at
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/ethics_m.htm
1. List the blessings that are delineated here.
2. Which of the blessings seems most difficult, or least likely, to be
fulfilled? Explain why.
3. What is the goal or result of fulfilling all of the blessings?
 Gospel of Buddha at http://reluctantmessenger.com/gospel_buddha/index.htm Share summaries of selected
chapters as well as your insights about what they mean.
o Some Selected Chapters:
o 2: Samsara and Nirvana

Samsara: Sanskrit word meaning turning of the wheel or
revolving. It refers to the transmigration in the Six
Directions of Reincarnation, the realm of birth and death.

Nirvana: a Sanskrit word which is originally translated as
"perfect stillness". It has many other meanings, such as
liberation, eternal bliss, tranquil extinction, extinction of
individual existence, unconditioned, no rebirth, calm joy, etc.
It is usually described as transmigration to "extinction", but
the meaning given to "extinction" varies... There are four
kinds of Nirvana: 1.Nirvana of pure, clear self-nature
2.Nirvana with residue 3.Nirvana without residue 4.Nirvana
of no dwelling
o 5: The Ties of Life
o 6: The Three Woes
o 7: The Boddhisatta’s Renunciation
o 11: Mara The Evil One
o 12: Enlightenment (including the 4 Noble Truths)
o 16: The Sermon at Benares (including The Eightfold Path)
o 24: The Sermon on Charity (compare A Policy of Kindness)
o 32: Women Admitted to the Sangha
HUMAN 105, Fall, 2012, Dr. Harnett
Week 9 Class Notes, page 7
Sangha: The Buddhist monastic order. The corporate assembly of at least 3
monks under a chairman, empowered to hear confession, grant absolution and
ordain. In general terms, it refers to any community practising the Buddhist
Way.
o 41: The Goal
o 43: The Vanity of Worldliness
o 49: The Two Brahmans

Brahma: “a divine being of the Form Sphere or the
Formless Sphere, Happy and blameless celestial beings,
inhabitants of the higher heavens.”

Maya: illusion. In Tibetan Buddhism, (which the Dalai
Lama practices), many believe that the world is an illusion,
and that reality is actually found in the realm of the “clear
light” that is achieved when we die and have learned to
achieve that through meditation and practice. See The Dalai
Lama, How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life.
o 57: The Sermon on Abuse
o 65: The Lost Son (compare to “The Parable of the Prodigal Son”
at http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+15:11-32 )
o 87: The Patient Elephant
o 93: Farewell Address

Zen Koans (Parables) selected from list at
http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/zenindex.html
 Assignment: Select koans from the list and:
1. Summarize each koan.
2. Explain a lesson you interpret from it.
For Next Time: Read The Dalai Lama, A Policy of Kindness, chapters
1-8, pages 15-80). You’ll need to make at least one annotation for each of the 16
Chapters by Wednesday.
Oral Reports and Outside Reports for Unit 3 are due Wednesday, 11/21.
Exam 3 will be on Monday, 11/19.