Ceremony & Ritual
Buddhist Liturgy
In-class or independent study of terms and concepts in such ceremonies as repentance, great transference, Pure Land, recitation liturgy, and the methods of practice involved in these rituals. Specific content of course decided upon between student and evaluating instructor.
Daily Ceremonies
Bilingual study of liturgy, training in performance of ritual. Students may enroll as follows: Morning Recitation, Evening Recitation, Noon Meal Ceremony and Closing Triple Refuge. Requires daily participation for the entire semester.
Dharma Instruments
Instruction in proper deportment when handling Dharma instruments, and basic rhythm and technique in accompanying English and Chinese morning, noon, and evening recitation.
Heart Mantra
Evening Mantra recitation requires daily participation for the entire semester.
Doctrine
Developing Inherent Wisdom
This course is primarily designed to develop the students’ ability to think critically, evaluate situations, make sound judgments, and express themselves orally and in writing. It is normally taken as a combination of critical listening to others’ lectures, lecturing oneself, group evaluation, and discussion. Writing or the equivalent may be substituted for lecturing in some cases.
Evening Lecture
Investigation of Mahayana canonical texts and their application along with commentarial literature where appropriate.
Introduction to Buddhism
A general introduction to Buddhism.
Chan Study
Introduction to passages of Sutras and other texts that describe Chan and the methods of practice.
Mantra Study
Introduction to passages of Sutras and other texts that describe mantras and the methods of practice.
Repentance Study
Study of the principles discussed in selected repentance texts.
Recitation Study
Introduction to Sutras and passages of texts that describe the Pure Land and methods of practice.
Primary Shastras
Study of selected Shastra texts such as the Hundred Dharmas Shastra, Consciousness Only texts, Awakening of Faith Shastra, and Flower Adornment Prologue.
Dharma Flower Sutra
In-depth study of the Dharma Flower Sutra using the Ven. Master Hua’s commentary.
Flower Adornment Sutra
In-depth study of the Flower Adornment Sutra using the Ven. Master Hua’s commentary.
Shurangama Sutra
In-depth study of the Shurangama Sutra using the Ven. Master Hua’s commentary and with reference to other traditional commentaries.
Chinese Ethical Thought
A survey course on Chinese ethical systems. From within the vast scope of Chinese philosophy is very vast, this course will only focus on the four major traditional approaches—their respective founders, teachings, works and influence.
Chinese Culture & Philosophy
A review of Chinese philosophy from the pre-Chin Dynasty to the present.
Chinese Psychological Theory: The Five Elements
Basics of traditional Chinese psychology founded on the concept of the five elements: water, wind, air, fire and wood, and their mutual interaction.
Ethics and the Family
The course focuses on filial respect as the major requirement for character development. It features a comparative study between traditional Confucian and Buddhist ethical concepts, based on the Classic of Filial Piety (Confucian text) and the Sutra of the Buddha Speaks of the Difficulty of Repaying Parents’ Kindness.
Repaying Parents’ Kindness
Through a class format involving formal lecture, analysis and discussion, students achieve a deeper understanding of the principles of filial respect and apply them in their daily lives, so as to reshape their characters and improve their social relationships.
Vegetarianism
This course delves into various Sutras and precepts that deal specifically with the principles which prohibit the taking of life and the eating of meat. It also includes research to verify these timeless Buddhist principles.
Practice
Buddhist Pilgrimage
Opportunities for selected students to participate in occasional group pilgrimages to Buddhist temples, monasteries and shrines in Asia, South and Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world. Open to highly qualified students only.
Chan Practice
Course includes practice of sitting in full lotus or alternative postures in any of the following formats: (1) supervised, individual practice requiring faculty approval, observation, and evaluation. Repeatable with permission of instructor; 2) participation in an intensive meditation session during which one complies with the rules of the Chan hall and follows the group scheduled periods of meditation and walking. Attendance record required. Repeatable.
Group Sutra Recitation
Sequential recitation of Mahayana Sutras. One hour daily recitation of scriptures containing Buddhism’s most profound principles. Repeatable.
Mantra Practice
Student will keep a daily record of reciting and memorizing the mantra, and/or participation in group weekend mantra recitation. Repeatable.
Recitation Practice
Recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s name and/or selected related texts and chants such as Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s name, the Universal Door Chapter of the Dharma Flower Sutra, the sections in the Shurangama Sutra describing Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s and Great Strength Bodhisattva’s methods of perfect penetration, the Great Compassion Mantra, and other Pure Land practices. Repeatable when content is new to student.
Repentance Practice
Course may include the following: (1) approved and supervised, individual or group practice using traditional repentance texts and ceremonies of Mahayana Buddhism: Attendance record required; (2) group participation requires observing the schedule and rules of the ceremonial hall. A letter grade is given.
Repentance Sessions
Active participation in intensive retreats held periodically. Attendance record required.
Special Ceremonies
Study of traditional Buddhist rituals and ceremonies.
Universal Bowing
One hour of chanting and bowing in repentance every day. Instruction in the principle and practice of repentance. Attendance record required.
Vinaya
Bhikshu Precepts
Investigation of the 250 Bhikshu Precepts and commentarial literature. Sangha only.
Bhikshuni Precepts
Investigation of the 348 Bhikshuni Precepts and commentarial literature. Sangha only.
Fundamental Vinaya Texts
Study of basic Vinaya texts. May include investigation of specific issues in the application of the Vinaya.
Vinaya Intensive for Ordination
Designed for members of the Buddhist Sangha who are participating in the intensive study and training preparatory to receiving full ordination as a Bhikshu or Bhikshuni.
Bodhisattva Precepts for Laity
Detailed study of the Bodhisattva Precepts for Buddhist lay people.
Brahma Net Bodhisattva Precepts
Study of the ten major and forty-eight minor Bodhisattva Precepts essential to the understanding of Mahayana Buddhist ethics. Detailed analysis of the precepts includes study of the modern commentary by Master Hwei Seng, written in the tradition of the Tyan-Tai School.
Lay Precepts and Deportment
Lay people will receive practical instruction in the rules of deportment by which they should conduct themselves. Includes study of the portions of the Pratimoksha Code that apply to them, and guidance in how to be worthy representatives of the Proper Dharma.
Shramanerika Precepts and Deportment
The Ten Shramanera Precepts and Rules of Deportment constitute preliminary training for any Buddhist novice preparing for full ordination. Students will also commit to memory the 53 verses and mantras in the Vinaya for Daily Use.
Lives of Great Masters
This course may include the following Study of the inspiring biographies of eminent Sangha members, providing impetus to emulate their lofty ideals and incorruptible conduct.
Apprenticeship
Basic Legal Procedures
Introduction to basic laws and legal procedures related to non-profit organizations and monastic management.
Beginning Word Processing
Students who take this course will gain a basic understanding of the computer and how to use it for word processing.
Community Service
Special projects approved by instructor involving social service principles & practices, within the campus community or in the local area.
Curriculum & Methods for Buddhist Schools
Introduction to basic curriculum concepts and teaching methods for elementary and secondary schools. Examination and evaluation of a variety of curriculum materials. Preparation of sample teaching unit and work in Buddhist classrooms required.
Developing of Research & Teaching Aids
Under the guidance of an experienced teacher, students will work on developing classroom aids and educational materials in their subject area.
Dorm Counseling
Training and practice in administration and counseling boarding students ages 10 through 16. Emphasis on Buddhist ethics in daily life.
Magazine & Book Publishing
Training in practical skills involved in magazine and book publishing; word processing; layout; graphic arts; and publishing programs.
Editing
Editing transcribed or translated material or original articles, essays, commentaries, or verse into fluent target languages.
Library Science Skills
An introduction to the basic principles of library science with practical application of these skills. May be repeated with consent of librarian.
Monastic Administration
On-the-job training in multiple aspects of the monastic community such as kitchen management, dining hall supervision, tending Buddha halls, serving as cantor for ceremonies and sessions, educational administration, accounting, assistance with publications administration, involvement in public relations and social service.
Publishing Editor Training
Concepts of magazine editing and news reporting in a modern Buddhist magazine; basic ideas of photography; extensive training in magazine editing.
Publishing Procedures
Training in practical skills involved in books and magazine publishing, computer word processing, layout, and publishing languages programs.
Oral Interpretation
Training in live translation of instructional talks, formal commentaries, and question-answer discussions.
Public Speaking of Dharma
Practice in public speaking on Buddhist topics.
Sutra Lecturing
Students, under guidance, learn to lecture on Sutra texts by incorporating appropriate technical lists, terms, definitions, stories, quotes, and public accounts into their talks, as well as giving definitive explanations of the lines of text. Permission from instructor required before enrolling in this course.
Student Teaching
Teaching assistant in elementary and/or secondary school; or in postsecondary vocational or academic classes. Training in presentation techniques and discipline.
Student Teaching in Special Situations
Tutoring, in-class course work involving special students or special subject matter, teaching situations while on tour, and other circumstances where teaching techniques must be specially designed to fit certain needs.
Translation: Buddhist Texts
Projects and target language are selected by the student in consultation with instructor. Includes such material as lives of patriarchs, instructional talks, Dharma talks given at retreats, explanation of Mantra lines, verses and their commentaries.
Translation: Selected Material
With permission of instructor, students select material and target language they wish to translate into, or edit, or review.
Transcription
Transcription of spoken language into good literary form. Repeatable with permission of instructor.
Review
Review of transcribed or translated material against tape, or of commentary with text. Repeatable when content is new to student.
Electives
English
Written composition; reading as a writing model; vocabulary; grammar; pronunciation; spelling; punctuation; and, general listening and speaking skills.
Chinese Language
Beginning: Basic conversation and structure. Intermediate: Fundamentals of grammar and pronunciation, diction, conversation, and memorization. Advanced: Reading of selected Chinese texts.
Chinese Calligraphy
Practice in writing Chinese characters with a brush. Study of the origins of basic Chinese characters and styles of writing, such as the kaishu (“print style”), syingshu (“running style”), and tsaushu (“grass style”).
Sanskrit Language
Beginning: Elementary Sanskrit. Recognition of Devanagari and fundamental principles of grammar. Intermediate: Use of dictionaries. Principles of grammar. Readings. Advanced: Reading of selected Sanskrit texts.
