RELG 215: Introduction

The Global Buddha
RELG 215

Cardinal Operation Hope and Help: A community begins when a group of people come together to pursue a common interest, but to truly flourish there must be a shared sense of concern for the well-being of all its members. Toward this end, the North Central community has established Cardinal Operation Hope and Help to provide emergency financial support for students with basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and educational supplies. To explore details of the program as well as eligibility requirements, please click the above link — and feel free to let me know how I can help you overcome any challenges you are facing.

Introduction

This course traces the historical, philosophical, and religious development of Buddhism from its origins in India to its manifestations in Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, and finally North America. Major themes include Buddhist conceptions of the self, the relationship between Buddhism and the world, regional influences on the transformations of Buddhism, and the principles and practice of mindfulness meditation.

The distribution of grades for the course is as follows:

10%
20%
20%
20%
10%
20%

Class Participation
Siddhartha Paper (6 pages • 1500-word minimum)
Temple Visit Paper (6 pages • 1500-word minimum)
Harcore Zen Paper (6 pages • 1500-word minimum)
Mindfulness Journal (weekly • 250-word minimum)
Holistic Wellness Paper (6 pages • 1500-word minimum)

You final grade will ultimately depend on my assessment of your performance in each of the above areas, though the following descriptions should provide you with a rough idea of the defining characteristics of students within particular grade ranges:

A	Possesses a deep understanding of the major concepts and themes of the course. The “A” student is able to consistently identify and explain key ideas in the primary sources, develop genuine insights into the broader significance of these texts, and demonstrate a high level of intellectual engagement in class discussions.
B	Demonstrates a serious commitment to the course (i.e. attendance and participation) and a strong grasp of the major concepts and themes but with less depth and/or consistency than the “A” student.
C	Demonstrates a reasonable effort to attend class and participate in discussions as well as a basic grasp of the course material.
D	Demonstrates a minimal commitment to the course and a weak grasp of basic concepts and themes.
F	Fails to demonstrate an acceptable degree of effort in the course through low attendance, inability to discuss basic concepts and themes, missed assignments and/or plagiarized work.

Class/BodhiBlog Participation

Your participation mark (worth 10% of the final grade) will be based on your ability to demonstrate that you have made a sincere attempt to read and understand the assigned material. Although the quality of your comments will obviously be taken into consideration, all attempts to seriously engage the readings — from sharing your perspective on the material to simply asking a relevant question — will enhance your grade.

Writing Assignments

Papers should be submitted to Blackboard/Assignments by the due date listed on the syllabus. All papers should include appropriate references to “academic” (i.e. peer-reviewed) sources; both direct quotations and indirect references to the ideas of another author should be properly cited according to the conventions of either Chicago Style or MLA. Papers that contain significant instances of plagiarism will receive a 0 and be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs. All submitted work may be randomly selected for program assessment (with names removed).

Siddhartha Paper

Your first paper will be a 6-page (1500-word minimum) essay on Hermann Hesse’s novel Siddhartha. The paper should focus on the similarities and differences between the fictional Siddhartha of the novel and the historical Siddhartha who is said to have attained enlightenment and become a Buddha. Your conclusion should highlight a particular insight on Buddhism that has been demonstrated through your discussion of the novel. Please be sure to provide appropriate references to Hesse’s Siddhartha and at least three academic sources. For more details, see the Siddhartha Paper Rubric below.

Temple Visit Paper

At some point during the semester you will attend a Buddhist service and write a 6-page (1500-word minimum) paper based on your experience. A class visit to a local Buddhist temple has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday, March 26, though you may choose to attend a service at another temple if you wish (click here for a selection of Buddhist temples in the area). Your paper should include a general summary of the service as well as a detailed description of a specific ritual (or other element of the service) that you found particularly interesting. You should then explore the significance of your chosen ritual/element through references to at least four academic sources. Your conclusion should explain how the temple visit together with additional research helped you develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between Buddhist theory and practice. For more details, see the Virtual Temple Visit Paper Rubric below.

Harcore Zen Paper

Your second book report will be a 6-page (1500-word minimum) paper on Brad Warner’s autobiography Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality. The paper should focus on the question of whether or not Warner’s perspective is consistent with the essential principles of Buddhism in general and Zen Buddhism in particular. Your argument should be supported by evidence from Warner’s book and at least three academic sources. For more details, see the Hardcore Zen Paper Rubric below.

Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness

Mindfulness Journal

Each Friday we will explore the principles and practice of mindfulness mediation by discussing a chapter of the book Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness and engaging in a related mindfulness exercise. Toward this end, you will write a weekly journal entry (250-word minimum, due by midnight on Sunday) reflecting on the relationship between the week’s reading and its corresponding meditation. You will receive 1% for each journal entry that satisfies the above requirements for a maximum of 10%; since there are thirteen “Mindfulness Fridays,” this means that you will get the full 10% as long as you complete acceptable journal entries for at least ten of the thirteen sessions.

Holistic Wellness Paper

At the end of the semester, you will write a final 6-page (1500-word minimum) paper that explores the value of mindfulness meditation with regard to “holistic wellness” (a combination of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and/or financial wellness). Your paper should begin with a discussion of holistic wellness and go on to explain how the practice of mindfulness meditation can contribute to its attainment, highlighting at least three of the five elements listed above. Your argument should be supported by a combination of personal reflections on your own meditation experiences (which may include insights recorded in your Mindfulness Journal) and references to at least three academic sources that discuss mindfulness meditation and/or its benefits. For more details, see the Holistic Wellness Paper Rubric below.

Required Texts

Mitchell, Donald W. and Sarah H. Jacoby. Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience. Third Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha. Translated by Susan Bernofsky. New York: Modern Library, 2008.
Warner, Brad. Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2015.
Smalley, Susan L. and Diana Winston. Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness. Philadelphia: Da Capo Press, 2010.

Virtual Office Hours & Contact Information
My virtual office hourse (via Zoom) and contact information are as follows:

Monday/Wednesday 4:30-5:30
Tuesday/Thursday 10:30-11:30
Friday ( Tea/Talk) 4:30-5:30

E-Mail: bhoffert@noctrl.edu
Home Page: http://bhoffert.faculty.noctrl.edu
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Siddhartha Paper Rubric

	Unsatisfactory 0 - .69	Satisfactory .70-.79	Good .80-.89	Excellent .90-1.0	MARK
LENGTH	<1250 words	1250-1500 words	1500-1750 words	>1750 words	2
STYLE	Ideas are poorly expressed with excessive spelling and grammar mistakes	Ideas are adequately expressed but there are many stylistic errors	Ideas are clearly expressed with some stylistic errors	Ideas are eloquently expressed with very few stylistic errors	2
SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES	Fails to adequately grasp the relationship between the two Siddharthas	Identifies basic similarities and differences between the two Siddharthas	Identifies significant similarities and differences between the two Siddharthas	Insightfully discusses the relationship between the two Siddharthas	10
ACADEMIC SOURCES	There are significant problems with the references to academic sources	There are problems with the references (<3, non-academic, citation style)	There are appropriate references to at least three academic sources	The academic sources are well-chosen, skillfully used, and properly cited	3
THESIS	There are significant problems with the paper’s thesis	The paper’s thesis is unclear and/or not supported by a coherent argument	The discussion of the novel is clearly connected to an insight on Buddhism	The discussion of the novel leads to a substantial insight on Buddhism	3
TOTAL					20

Virtual Temple Visit Paper Rubric

	Unsatisfactory 0 - .69	Satisfactory .70-.79	Good .80-.89	Excellent .90-1.0	MARK
LENGTH	<1250 words	1250-1500 words	1500-1750 words	>1750 words	2
STYLE	Ideas are poorly expressed with excessive spelling and grammar mistakes	Ideas are adequately expressed but there are many stylistic errors	Ideas are clearly expressed with some stylistic errors	Ideas are eloquently expressed with very few stylistic errors	2
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE	The religious service is not described in sufficient detail	The religious service is described in minimal detail	The religious service is described in appropriate detail	The description of the religious service significantly enhances the paper	2
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF RITUAL	The observed ritual is not described in sufficient detail	The observed ritual is described in minimal detail	The observed ritual is described in appropriate detail	The description of the observed ritual significantly enhances the paper	2
ANALYSIS OF RITUAL	There are significant problems with the sources/analysis of the observed ritual	Does not effectively draw on 4 academic sources to analyze the observed ritual	Effectively draws on 4 academic sources to analyze the observed ritual	Insightfully draws on at least 4 academic sources to analyze the observed ritual	10
THESIS	There are significant problems with the paper’s thesis	Minimally discusses the relationship between Buddhist theory and practice	Clearly discusses the relationship between Buddhist theory and practice	Insightfully discusses the relationship between Buddhist theory and practice	2
TOTAL					20

Hardcore Zen Paper Rubric

	Unsatisfactory 0 - .69	Satisfactory .70-.79	Good .80-.89	Excellent .90-1.0	MARK
LENGTH	<1250 words	1250-1500 words	1500-1750 words	>1750 words	2
STYLE	Ideas are poorly expressed with excessive spelling and grammar mistakes	Ideas are adequately expressed but there are many stylistic errors	Ideas are clearly expressed with some stylistic errors	Ideas are eloquently expressed with very few stylistic errors	2
WARNER, BUDDHISM AND ZEN	The relationship b/w Warner’s perspective and Buddhism/Zen is inadequately discussed	Adequately discusses the relationship b/w Warner’s perspective and Buddhism/Zen	Clearly discusses the relationship between Warner’s perspective and Buddhism/Zen	Insightfully discusses the relationship b/w Warner’s perspective and Buddhism/Zen	10
ACADEMIC SOURCES	There are significant problems with the references to academic sources	There are problems with the references (<3, non-academic, citation style, etc.)	There are appropriate references to at least three academic sources	The academic sources are well-chosen, skillfully used, and properly cited	3
THESIS	There are significant problems with the paper’s thesis	Minimally discusses Warner’s relationship to Buddhism and/or Zen	Expresses a clear perspective on Warner’s relationship to Buddhism/Zen	Develops an insightful perspective on Warner’s relationship to Buddhism/Zen	3
TOTAL					20

Holistic Wellness Paper Rubric

	Unsatisfactory 0 - .69	Satisfactory .70-.79	Good .80-.89	Excellent .90-1.0	MARK
LENGTH	<1250 words	1250-1500 words	1500-1750 words	>1750 words	2
STYLE	Ideas are poorly expressed with excessive spelling and grammar mistakes	Ideas are adequately expressed but there are many stylistic errors	Ideas are clearly expressed with some stylistic errors	Ideas are eloquently expressed with very few stylistic errors	2
HOLISTIC WELLNESS	There are significant problems with the discussion of holistic wellness	There is a minimal discussion of holistic wellness	There is a reasonable discussion of holistic wellness	There is a clear discussion of holistic wellness	2
THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS	Fails to demonstrate how mindfulness can contribute to holistic wellness	Minimally explains how mindfulness can contribute to holistic wellness	Clearly explains how mindfulness can contribute to holistic wellness	Insightfully explains how mindfulness can contribute to holistic wellness	8
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE	There are significant problems with the supporting evidence	There are problems with the references (no personal reflection, <3 academic sources, etc)	Appropriate references to both personal experience and 3 academic sources	Excellent references to both personal experience and at least 3 academic sources	3
THESIS	There are significant problems with the paper’s thesis	The paper’s thesis is unclear and/or is not supported by a coherent argument	The paper presents a clear thesis that is supported by a reasonable argument	The paper presents an insightful thesis that is supported by a strong argument	3
TOTAL					20

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

explain the foundational principles of Buddhism
provide an objective description of a Buddhist service as well as a detailed discussion of a specific Buddhist ritual
discuss the development of Buddhism across space and time
explore questions about religious experience and the nature of being human by analyzing Buddhist texts, objects, events, and ideas using methods common to the humanities and religious studies
engage in and reflect upon the contemplative dimension of religion
explain key principles and practices of holistic wellness and reflect on the values of mindfulness meditation for maintaining long-term health

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