Spring 2012 Course Listings

HR 1525 : Buddhist Texts: Pali I
Instructor: Kerr
Time: Thursday 2:10 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: IBS/JSC Room 132
Course Level: Introductory
Course Description: An introduction to the language of the Pali
Tipikaka. Grammar lessons are based on the language of the early nikayas (sutta collections). By the end of the first semester, students can expect to have a firm grasp of basic Pali grammar, a working vocabulary of roughly 600 words, and competency in reading standard prose passages of nikaya material with minimal assistance.
Course format: Lecture.
Evaluation method: Participation/exam.
[Auditors with Faculty permission]

Download course syllabus.

HRCE 3002 : Introduction to Buddhist Ethics
Instructor: Seelawimala
Time: Wednesday 9:40AM - 12:30PM
Location: IBS/JSC Room 130
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Description: Ethical knowledge and ethical conduct is an essential part of Buddhist teachings. One third of the systematic blue print of Buddhist practice is dedicated to the development of ethical and moral skills. In Buddhism ethics is not discussed as a part of a religious practice; it is simply a tool for one to live an error free healthy life.

Download course syllabus.

HRCE 3014 : Issues in Buddhist Ministry
Instructor: Yamaoka
Time: Thursday 2:10PM - 5:00PM
Location: IBS/JSC Room 130
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Description: Explore the difficulties and direction in Buddhist Ministry within the Western context. Also, through a person-centered educational process, explore ways and means to develop one’s personal ministry for the west. To study and evaluate an educational process will be the core element of the course. Lecture/seminar with research paper which includes personal reflection documented with the words of the Buddhist teacher. Course is for MA students with an emphasis on ministry.

Download course syllabus.

HR 3017 : Readings in Mahayana Texts
Instructors: Bridge, Kuwahara
Time: Monday 9:40 - 12:30
Location: IBS/JSC Room 130
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Description: Triple Sutra (Pure Land Sutras):
An introduction to selected Mahayana Buddhist texts in English translation. In this semester we will read the Three Pure Land Sutras: the Larger Sukhavatavyuha Sutra, the Smaller Sukhavatavyuha Sutra, and the Contemplation Sutras on the Buddha of Infinite Life.
The course will introduce the overall structure of each text and examine major
doctrinal issues which form the foundation of the pure Land teaching.
Course format: Lecture.
Evaluation method: Participation/term paper.

Download course syllabus.

HR 3040 : Zen Buddhism: Introduction to Zen Meditation
Instructor: Kinst
Time: Thursday 9:40AM - 12:30PM
Location: IBS/JSC Room 130
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Description: This is an introductory course intended to develop an understanding of Zen Buddhist Meditation practices and the Buddhist teachings that give them context and meaning. Study of the Soto Zen practice of "just sitting" (shikantaza, 0), Soto and Rinzai koan practices, and Zen meditation practice as it occurs in ritual, bowing and ordinary activities such as cooking will be included. Participation in meditation practice as well as reading and discussion of traditional and contemporary literature are essential aspects of the class. In-class meditation instruction and practice will be included. Students will also be expected to attend meditation instruction and one or two other dharma activities at a local Zen temple/center of their choosing - a list of options will be provided. Weekly papers on the readings will be discussed in class as well as the paper on the temple visit. The final paper or project will develop a theme or specific aspect of the class material. We will also consider Zen meditation practices as they relate to an interfaith context. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Download course syllabus.

HR 4548 : Topics in Shin Buddhist Thought: Shinjin
Instructor: Matsumoto
Time: Monday 2:10PM - 5:00PM
Location: IBS Orange County Branch
Course Level: Advanced
Course Description: An examination of shinjin, the core of Shin Buddhist thought, praxis and life. Translated at times as faith, entrusting, awakening, or Buddha-mind, shinjin represents the central feature of Shinrans Pure Land Buddhism. A close reading of Shinrans kanbun and Japanese texts with English translations, as well as a broader consideration of medieval, modern and contemporary perspectives on Shin Buddhist religiosity. Evaluation will be on the basis of presentations and research and/or reflection papers. [PIN code required]

NOTE: This course will meet at the IBS branch campus, located at the Orange County Buddhist Church.

Download course syllabus.

HRPH 4556 : Topics in Buddhist Thought
Instructor: Payne
Time: Wednesday 9:40AM - 12:30PM
Location: IBS/JSC Room 130
Course Level: Advanced
Course Description: Epistemology and Language: The theories of knowledge and language are closely enmeshed in Buddhist thought with conceptions of the nature of consciousness and human existence, and the efficacy of practice; or more traditionally: ground, path and goal. Readings of primary works in translation will be supported by secondary source materials. Initial portion of class will ground Buddhist thought in wider Indic philosophic perspectives, then move into mostly Mahayana materials particularly Indian and Tibetan, though attention will also be paid to these issues in East Asian Buddhism as well. Previous familiarity with Buddhist thought will be necessary. This will be a seminar based course, requiring students to lead discussions of readings, with a term paper as the final grading requirement. Intended for advanced MA/MDiv/MBS students.

Download course syllabus.

HRPH 4558 : Topics in Buddhist Practice: Turning the Wheel of the Dharma
Instructors: Fronsdal, Olivia
Time: Monday 9:40AM - 12:30PM
Location: IBS/JSC Room 130
Course Level: Advanced
Course Description: The theory, practice, and history of teaching the Dhamma. Beginning with a study of how the Buddha taught, this class will discuss the various ways the Dhamma has been taught. This will include the history, styles, and functions of the "Dhamma talk," the "Dhamma teacher," and the teacher-student relationship.
[Auditors with Faculty permission]

Download course syllabus.

HR 8145 : Buddhist Japanese II
Instructor: Kurioka
This is an Online Course
Our online courses are co-sponsored by the Starr King School for the Ministry
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Description: Introduces intermediate Japanese grammar. Work with longer Japanese text selections, e.g., short essay selections drawn from popular Buddhism publications. Define Buddhist terms and relate them to multiple language equivalents (Sanskrit, Pali, and Chinese.)
Course format: Lecture.
Evaluation method: Participation/ Homework Assignments/ Exams.

Download course syllabus.

HRHS 8152 : Buddhist Traditions of East Asia
Instructor: Pokorny
This is an Online Course
Our online courses are co-sponsored by the Starr King School for the Ministry
Course Level: Introductory
Course Description: Introduces the Buddhist traditions transmitted to East Asia and the development of new traditions. Second half of the required yearlong introductory survey of the entire Buddhist tradition. Usually offered each spring semester.
Course format: Online discussion.
Evaluation method: Participation/Term paper.

Download course syllabus.

HRPS 8320 : Psychological Aspects of Buddhism: Buddhist Psychology I
Instructor: Bermant
This is an Online Course
Our online courses are co-sponsored by the Starr King School for the Ministry
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Description: This course introduces seminary students to the psychological fundamentals of early Buddhism: abhidharma, alaya vijnana, tathagatagarbha and Madhyamaka. Students read original materials in English translation and commentaries by ancient and modern authors. Fundamental concepts addressed include the nature and content of consciousness, sleeping and dreaming, sources of motivation including motives arising from unconscious sources, nirvana and its metaphors, the nature of text as a script or score rather than a descriptive document, and the forms of tension between traces of essentialism and the teaching of emptiness without remainder. This is an online course that has attracted MA students from IBS and Starr King seminaries so far. Students write frequently and complete the term with a term paper on a topic chosen by them from among the subjects that have been presented.

Download course syllabus.

HRHS 8450 : Topics in Japanese Religions: Japanese Religious Landscape
Instructor: Grumbach
This is an Online Course
Our online courses are co-sponsored by the Starr King School for the Ministry
Course Level: Advanced
Course Description: This course explores Japanese religious thought and practice through the theoretical lens of landscape. Topics will include: the influence of geography (islands, mountains, plains, oceans) on the conceptions of kami (gods) in early Japan; ideas about landscape and space in Japanese Buddhism; how Buddhist doctrine is "taught" through landscape art; how landscape determines religious practice; the practical and theoretical roles of temple and shrine architecture, grounds, and gardens; pilgrimage as movement through religious space/landscape; and changing religious practices in the modern landscape.

Download course syllabus.

HRHS 8454 : Topics in Buddhist Traditions of Japan: Zen Master Dogen
Instructor: Leighton
This is an Online Course
Our online courses are co-sponsored by the Starr King School for the Ministry
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Description: The writings of Dogen, 13th century Japanese Soto Zen founder, are a unique highpoint of Zen literature. Exploring profound Buddhist philosophical issues, Dogen creatively used poetic language and wordplay to evocatively express the meaning of practice/ enlightenment and buddha nature, and to train his students who successfully established Soto Zen in Japan. We will do textual study of a selection of Dogen’s major writings, including teachings about meditation, nature mysticism, community life, koans (teaching stories, 0), and Buddhist theories of temporality. After discussing background material on Dogen, and several of the essays from one of Dogen’s major works, Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye Treasury, 0), we will focus on the short discourses to his students in Dogen’s Extensive Record, which demonstrate his teaching style and humor. We will consider the impact of Dogen’s various background sources, including the Chinese koan tradition, the Japanese poetic and aesthetic tradition, the East Asian Buddhist monastic tradition, and Mahayana sutras and bodhisattva lore. We will also explore how Dogen’s challenging writings relate to modern spiritual issues.
Online Discussion/ Midterm Exam/ Final Research paper.

Download course syllabus.

HR 8456 : Works of Shinran IV: Tannisho
Instructor: Matsumoto
This is an Online Course
Our online courses are co-sponsored by the Starr King School for the Ministry
Course Level: Advanced
Course Description: A consideration of the thought and religious experience of Shinran through the study of a highly provocative and problematic Shin text.
Online course. Evaluation based on student participation in online forums and final research paper.
Intended audience: MDiv and MA/MTS.
HR 1614 or instructor's permission required.

Download course syllabus.