Western Michigan University
Rel. 3010 Buddhist Tradition
Spring 2011, T/TH 6-7:40
Moore Hall 01121
General Education Area 4
Instructor: Nathan F. DeBoer
E-mail: n8deboer@wmich.edu
Office: Moore Hall 2020
Office Hours: 5-6 PM T/TH or by appt.
Description:
This course will introduce significant aspects of Buddhist thought and practice from the
times of Buddhism’s beginnings 2500 years ago up to the present. The first part of the
course will focus on Buddhism in India during the first few centuries of its history. The
second part of the course will consider Buddhism as it emerged around the 2nd century
BCE and some of its later forms that developed in China, Japan, Tibet and the West.
Course Goals: Students will gain an understanding of Buddhism across time and in
different regions. By the end of the course students will understand the major teachings
and practices of the many Buddhist traditions. Students will also understand the
historical development of these teachings and practices as well as particular issues related
to the study of religion more broadly.
General Education Area 4: (1) It introduces students to the historical development of
Buddhism. Buddhism is one of the largest religions in the world today with followers
found across the globe. Understanding the varieties of Buddhism, and the development
of various Buddhist teachings and practices is essential to understanding the history and
culture of much of East and South East Asia and aspects of culture within the West as
well.
(2) Students are introduced the difficulties one faces when studying another culture which
in turn teaches them how to better critically understand their own culture. Buddhist terms
such as “Zen” have become ubiquitous within Western culture. Studying Buddhism
allows students the chance to reflect not only on other cultures, but on their own as well.
Issues such as translation and interpretation across cultures are discussed.
(3) Students are introduced to historical, anthropological and other approaches to the
study of religion.
(4) Students read primary texts, including novels, watch video, listen to audio and discuss
and analyze various practices and teachings all of which provide them the chance to step
outside their own frame of reference by considering human experience and the potential
for human achievement from other perspectives.
Grading:
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Final Exam
Film reviews
Attendance
Total:
200 pts. (20%)
200 pts. (20%)
200 pts. (20%)
300 pts. (33%)
50 pts (5%)
50 pts. (5%)
1000 pts.
Grading Scale:
900 – 1000 points (90 – 100%)
860 – 899 points (86 – 89 %)
800 – 859 points (80 – 85%)
760 – 799 points (76 – 79 %)
700 – 759 points (70 – 75%)
666 – 699 points (66 – 69%)
600 – 665 points (60 – 65%)
Below 599 points (Under 59%)
A
BA
B
BC
C
DC
D
E
Assignments: Students will be responsible for writing two, two-to-three page film
responses after a films are shown. The responses are due one week after the showing of
the film. The responses should briefly summarize the narrative of the movie, and
evaluate the film critically historically and thematically. Students should utilize lecture
and assigned reading material to aid toward the composition of a superior piece. I will
give more details about how to write the reviews in class.
Required Text:
Robinson, Johnson, and Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions: A Historical
Introduction, 5th ed. Belmont. CA: Thomson/Wadsworth Publishing, 2005.
Other assigned readings will be posted on E-learning.
Academic Honesty: You are responsible for making yourself aware of and
understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate (pp. 271-272) Catalog
that pertain to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication,
falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer
misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you
will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to
review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the
opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with the instructors if you are uncertain
about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.
Please visit these websites: http://osc.wmich.edu and www.wmich.edu/registrar to access
the Code of Honor and general academic policies on such issues as diversity, religious
observance, student disabilities and other important topics.
Classroom Etiquette: Good etiquette is a simple thing—come to class on time,
concentrate on learning by paying close attention to the lectures and by taking careful
notes. Set aside distracting devices like i-pods and cell phones (turn them off!). Laptops
should be used only for taking notes and for checking power-point lectures relevant to the
lecture of the day.
E-Learning:
E-mail: All e-mail communications between WMU students and WMU faculty and staff
should use the e-mail address associated with a BroncNet ID. This e-mail address
typically resembles john.b.doe@wmich.edu. Students cannot automatically forward email from this address to other addresses. Students can access this e-mail account or get
instructions for obtaining a BroncoNet ID at GoWMU.wmich.edu.
Disability Statement: The University provides support services for students with
disabilities. Any student who anticipates the need for assistance, support services or
reasonable accommodations related to a disability should contact the Center for
Disability at (269) 387-7200. Please contact the instructor with the proper documentation
if you feel any issues may arises.
Week One:
Jan. 11 Class intro/intro to Buddhism: Review Syllabus: Historical and Cultural
background to the beginning of Buddhism.
(Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions 1-50)
Jan. 13 Early Buddhism, the Rise of the Mahayana, and Early Medieval Buddhism.
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 123-142.
Week Two:
Jan. 18 Late Indian Buddhism and the End of Buddhism in India.
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 124-143 (E-Learning Reading)
Jan. 20: Buddhism in Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand)
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 143-171.(E-Learning Reading)
Week Three:
Jan. 25 Recap/Review for Test 1
Jan. 27 Test 1
Week Four
Feb. 1: Film: Little Buddha
Feb. 3: Film: Little Buddha
Week Five:
Feb. 8 (Snow day)
Feb. 10 Buddhism in China
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 172-200. (E-Learning Reading)
Week Six:
Feb. 15 Chinese Buddhism
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 200-218.(E-Learning Reading)
Feb. 17 Buddhism in Korea and Vietnam
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 219-239 (E-Learning Reading)
Week Seven:
Feb. 22: Japanese Buddhism
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 240-267. (E-Learning
Reading)
Feb. 24: The Tibetan Adaptation of Buddhism
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 268-273. (E-Learning
Reading)
Test 2
Week Eight:
March 1: Spring Break
March 3: Spring Break
Week Nine:
March 8: Review/Recap for Test 2
March 10: Test 2
Week Ten:
March 15: The Tibetan Adaptation of Buddhism
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 268-273. (E-Learning
Reading)
March 17: A Second Transmission to Tibet: Marpa, Milarepa, and the Kagyu tradition.
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 273-280. (E-Learning
Reading)
Week Eleven:
March 22: A Tibetan Buddhist “Reformation”: The Rise of the Gelugpa tradition
March 24: Tibetan Diaspora Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 280-291
(E-Learning Reading)
Week Twelve:
March 29: Recap/Review for Test 3
March 31: Test 3
Week Thirteen:
April 5: Film: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
April 7: Film: Marathon Monks
Week 14:
April 12: The Western Encounter with Buddhism
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 297-303. (E-Learning
Reading)
April 14: Buddhism in America
Reading: Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Buddhist Religions, 303-311. (E-Learning
Reading)
Week Fifteen:
April 19: Course Conclusions
April 21: Review for Final
Week Sixteen:
Final Exam: Tuesday, April 26: 7:15-9:15 PM.