Engaged Buddhism

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/G_RMBEB2

Course Objective

The student:
- has knowledge, understanding and competences in the field of Engaged Buddhism
- is able to analyze engaged Buddhism from various interdisciplinary perspectives, engaging with Buddhological, philosophical, hermeneutical, political and ethical questions;
- can recognize, summarize and explain the dominant positions in the field of Engaged Buddhism
- can integrate the insights from the course and use them to analyze and discuss articles written by authoritative Buddhist thinkers;
- can integrate insights from this course and apply them to a case study;
- is aware of his/her own identity, fears, biases, and theological, philosophical, ethical and hermeneutical prejudices in engaging with Buddhist sources.
- has developed a capacity for meta-reflection on issues within the field of Engaged Buddhism.

Course Content

This course offers an analysis of the rapidly expanding field of Engaged Buddhism. This term is used to refer to Buddhist scholars and practitioners who are seeking ways to apply the insights from Buddhist meditation practice and Buddhist teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice, bringing compassion into the world. Overview of topics to be discussed: 1. The foundations and key elements of Engaged Buddhist Thought and some leading voices in Engaged Buddhism and in Humanistic Buddhism. 3. Marginalisation in the Buddhist traditions and Engaged Buddhist responses: Focus on Gender Equality, Sexualities, and Disability. Interdisciplinary approaches. 4. Buddhist Environmentalism: Engaged Buddhism in the Anthropocene and the Buddhist philosophies of nature

Teaching Methods

Tutorials

Method of Assessment

Entry prerequisites to the written assessment:active course attendance higher than eighty percent (=no more than two absences) in class presentation (PowerPoint or similar) (pass/fail) Written assignment (subject to fulfilment of prerequisite above): 100%

Literature

Required readings Preparation first session: Gleig, Ann 2021. Engaged Buddhism. The Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion – Buddhism (ORE Religion), 2021, https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.755 (access through VU library account) Main, Jessica L, and Rongdao (Lai Lei Kuan Rongdao) Lai. 2013. “Introduction: Reformulating ‘Socially Engaged Buddhism’ as an Analytical Category.” The Eastern Buddhist 44 (2): 1–34., (access through VU library account) Per session: on/announced on CANVAS Further readings: On CANVAS.

Target Audience

This module is part of the track Buddhism in Exploring a Discipline, Spiritual Care, and the Research Master. It is open for other master students as an elective. Note entry requirement (BA level Introduction to Buddhism course)

Entry Requirements

Buddhism (G_BATRSAL001 or any Introduction to Buddhism at BA level) or by special permission by the course coordinator.

Recommended background knowledge

For those feeling rusty in the academic study of Buddhism it is highlyrecommended to freshen up your knowledge by (re)reading a short academicintroduction to Buddhism such asKeown, Damien 2013. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. 2nd edition.Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780199663835.It is also useful to read in advance the accessible introduction King, Sallie B. 2009. Socially Engaged Buddhism. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. ISBN-13: 9780824833510
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master