International Buddhist Monastic Life Program

INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST MONASTIC LIFE PROGRAM

Program Date
June 15 to July 31, 2002 (7 weeks).

Program Location
The program will take place in the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in southern Taiwan. All participants will stay at the monastery. All courses and activities will be conducted in English.

Overview and Objective
The International Buddhist Monastic Life Program provides International graduate and undergraduate students interested in Buddhism and Asian culture first-hand experience in the lifestyle, training, and rituals in a traditional Buddhist monastery. Each year, approximately 30 applicants are selected to participate in the program. The primary goals of the program are to:

Introduce participants to the concepts and practices of Humanistic Buddhism
Teach Buddhist monastic disciplines and traditions
Expose participants to Chinese culture and language
Cultivate spirituality

All of these goals are to be achieved in the context of the monastery experience.

We strongly encourage women and ethnic minorities to compete for these positions.

Key Elements

Eight-week program from June 15 to July 31
Intensive courses in Buddhism, such as meditation, monastery etiquette, monastery ritual, Humanistic Buddhism, etc.
Intensive courses in Chinese language and culture (all levels)
Communal activities within the monastery, such as vegetable gardening, kitchen duty, scripture translation, event planning and preparation, etc.
A two-week cultural tour of Taiwan
Typical daily routines in a Buddhist monastery. (Please refer to Appendix Two for details.)

The program director may change the activities slightly to better accommodate the needs of the participants and/or better fulfill the program objectives.

Support: All students receive full funding
Accommodations, food, and the cultural tour during the 8-week program at Fo Guang Shan Monastery will be provided free of charge to participants. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be awarded a $1000 mini-grant. The mini-grant is meant to offset expenses other than room and board, such as international airfare. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for airfare to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In addition, participants are responsible for providing their own health and accident insurance, and for any other additional expenditure. Due to the intensive nature of the program, dependents (spouses, children, and/or partners) will not be able to accompany participants during the 8-week period.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, as of March 31, 2002, the applicant must be enrolled at a college or university.

Application Deadline
March 31, 2002

Evaluation
Applicants will be evaluated by a committee for their potential to contribute to a better understanding of Buddhism among the American public. The evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to:

Knowledge of Buddhism or Asian studies and the potential for continued growth as a religious scholar and/or practitioner, as illustrated by academic achievements, educational background, and religious involvement. Preference will be given to applicants focusing on Religious Studies and/or Asian Studies.
Interest in Chinese language and culture. Preference will be given to those who have already taken introductory courses in Chinese language and culture.
Willingness and preparation to live in and adapt to the strict and disciplined lifestyle of the monastery.

Successful applicants will be notified by April 15, 2002. Applicants must confirm whether they wish to attend the program by April 30, 2002. Participants are responsible for obtaining their visa for Taiwan.

Application Format, Content, and Submission
Applicants should submit their application materials directly to the Greater Boston Buddhist Cultural Center (GBBCC). Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2002. Applicants are responsible for verifying with GBBCC that their application file is complete. A complete application consists of the following:

Application Form (Download form here: Part 1 / Part 2)
Statement of Purpose Explain your unique qualifications for participation in the program, and list the benefits the program will provide to your religious and scholastic development. Please limit your statement to 500 words.
Current Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Official undergraduate and/or graduate transcript(s)

All materials must be sent to the GBBCC at the address listed below and must be postmarked by March 31, 2002.

GBBCC
International Buddhist Monastic Life Program
950 Massachusetts Avenue, Unit C-1
Cambridge, MA 02139

Final Reports
At the end of the program, participants are requested to provide a report about their experience before they return home.

Sponsors
The program is made possible by the generosity of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA). It is organized by the Greater Boston Buddhist Cultural Center (GBBCC) and the youth division of the Boston chapter of the BLIA, in conjunction with Fo Guang Shan (Buddha's Light Mountain) Monastery of Taiwan. Please refer to Appendix 1 for general information about the sponsors.

Further information
Contact Jason Clower at clower@fas.harvard.edu or at (617) 493-4904.

APPENDIX ONE: BACKGROUND OF GBBCC AND FO GUANG SHAN (BUDDHA'S LIGHT MOUNTAIN)

Established in 1999 and located near Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA, the Greater Boston Buddhist Cultural Center (GBBCC) is a branch of Fo Guang Shan (Buddha's Light Mountain) of Taiwan. Venerable Master Hsing Yun founded Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan in 1967, propelled by a vision to disseminate Buddhist values for the benefit of humanity. Fo Guang Shan follows the traditions of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. Venerable Master Hsing Yun is the 48th patriarch of the Linji Lineage.

Today there are over 200 branches of Fo Guang Shan throughout the five continents. Together, we strive to serve our congregations and communities by providing educational opportunities, sponsoring cultural events, engaging in charity work, and conducting worship and meditation services. Guided by the principles of Humanistic Buddhism and the ideals of the Buddhist Pure Land, our ultimate goal is to foster peace and harmony among all people of the world. For more information about the GBBCC and Fo Guang Shan, please visit these websites:

www.fgs.org.tw
www.gbbcc.org
www.hsilai.org

APPENDIX TWO: TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE

All Fo Guang Shan monastics-in-training follow the daily schedule listed below. Although the participants of the summer program are not expected to follow the rigid routines exactly, they are required to wake up and sleep at the times specified, and attend the major activities of the day. It is imperative that the applicants realize that the program is not a vacation, but an intensive learning experience.

4:30 AM Wake-up call
5:00 to 6:00 AM Morning meditation and chanting service
6:00 to 7:00 AM Breakfast
7:00 to 8:00 AM Sanitation and maintenance work on the monastery facilities
8:00 to 10:30 AM Meditation / Classes on Buddhism, Asian culture, and Chinese language
10:30 to 11:30 AM Kitchen duty
11:30 AM Lunch
1:00 to 2:00 PM Afternoon break
2:00 to 4:00 PM Meditation / Classes on Buddhism, Asian culture, and Chinese language
4:00 to 5:00 PM Communal labor, such as gardening, maintenance work, scripture translation, etc.
5:00 to 6:00 PM Bath and shower
6:00 to 7:00 PM Dinner
7:00 to 9:00 PM Lecture / self-study session
9:00 to 10:00 PM Evening meditation and chanting services
10:00 PM Sleep

Additional Notes

All meals served in the monastery are Chinese vegetarian food. Meat products are strictly prohibited on the monastery grounds.
Alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on the monastery grounds.
Participants are required to observe basic Buddhist ethics while on the monastery grounds.
While encouraged, participants are not required to shave heads and wear monastic robes as other monastics-in-training.
Participants are responsible for bringing personal care products, and appropriate and modest summer clothing. Insect repellent is strongly encouraged.