• Buddhism links
• Selected handouts

• Syllabus:

Reading:

Available in Bookstore

• Donald W. Mitchell, Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience
• John S. Strong, The Experience of Buddhism: Sources and Interpretations
• John Daido Loori, ed., The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza

On Course Reserve [CR]

• Paul Williams, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations
• Charles S. Prebish and Kenneth K. Tanaka, eds., The Faces of Buddhism in America
  

A monumental image of the Buddha at the Yungang caves, China.

Mikaeri Amida Nyorai: "Tathagatha Amida [Buddha] Looking Back." Emphasizing Amida Buddha's infinite compassion, this National Treasure from Zenrinji temple in Kyoto shows Amida Buddha looking back for any stragglers to take to the Pure Land. (Click on image for larger view.)

Course Requirements and Grading:

1. Participation (18%). Regular attendance, timely completion of reading assignments, active participation in class discussions, and one short conference with me in my office no later than Friday, February 3. Grading criteria are as follows:

   A:  Regular attendance, regular contribution to discussion
   B:  Regular attendance, occasional contribution
   C:  Too many absences OR too little contribution
   D:  Too many absences AND too little contribution
   F:  Other serious problems

2. Option: To supplement the class discussion portion of your participation grade for any week, you may turn in a written "reaction paper" (1-2 pages, typed, maximum one per week) containing your reactions to, reflections on, and/or questions about course readings, films, and lectures. These will be graded 1 (credit), 2 (good), or 3 (excellent) and will be returned within a week with comments. The best times to turn these in would be on Mondays, after we have completed a section.

3. Four quizzes (8% each), consisting of short-answer questions. You will have 15 minutes for each.
   
   
4. Two take-home essays (15% each), 3-5 pages. Topics will be distributed in class one week before they are due.
   
   
5. Final exam or research paper (20%). The exam will consist of short answer questions like the quizzes, plus two 3-4 page essays. The paper (8-12 pages, double-spaced, plus bibliography), will be due at the time of the final exam. You must clear your topic with me by Friday, April 7, and turn in a preliminary bibliography by Friday, April 14. The paper will make use of at least three books or articles outside of assigned class readings, and will be due the last day of class.

Note: If you have a disability that will affect your work or participation in this class, please contact Erin Salva, Coordinator of Disability Services, at PBX 5453 or via e-mail at salvae@kenyon.edu, and speak to me individually, early in the semester, about the arrangements you will need.

Introduction;
The Buddha and the early Sangha

• Mitchell, Buddhism, ch. 1
• Strong, Experience, ch. 1 + pp. 51-70, 82-87

The Dharma

• Mitchell, ch. 2

  Mon., Jan. 30: Quiz 1

• Strong, pp. 88-128

Theravada

• Mitchell, ch. 3 + pp. 126-130

  Mon., Feb. 13: Quiz 2

• Strong, pp. 128-133
• Loori, pp. 177-186

Mahayana

Vajrayana

Film: "The Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche"

• Mitchell, ch. 6

  Mon., Feb. 27: Essay 1 due

• Strong, pp.193-204, 208-209,
  276-286

China

• Mitchell, ch. 7

  Wed., Mar. 22: Quiz 3

• Strong, ch. 8
• Loori, pp. 1-10, 15-18, 117-144, 217-220

Korea

• Mitchell, ch. 8
  

Japan

• Mitchell, ch. 9

  Mon., Apr. 10: Essay 2 due

• Strong, ch. 9
• Loori, pp. 19-39, 51-62, 67-94, 105-115

Modern Asia

• Mitchell, ch. 10

  Mon., Apr. 24: Quiz 4

• Strong, pp. 231-250

Buddhism in the West

• Mitchell, ch. 11
• Strong, ch. 10

The Bodhisattva Guanyin (Avalokitesvara),
in the position of "royal ease."