Buddhism in the Contemporary World (314-0-20)

Instructors

Sarah Jacoby
8474671304
Department of Religious Studies, Crowe Hall 4-134, 1860 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
Office Hours: Wed 1-3pm, Crowe 4-149

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 3-410: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

Some say America is currently undergoing a process of "Buddhification," meaning that Buddhism is cropping up everywhere, even in places one would least expect. Tech industry billionaires tout Buddhist mindfulness techniques at the annual Wisdom 2.0 conference, and Google offers mindfulness training courses taught by a Zen abbot. Mindfulness is also being presented as a panacea for those suffering from physical and mental pain, readily available in American hospital settings and psychological counseling services. Buddha images too can be found far from Buddhist temples—at the hip restaurant Buddha-Bar located in many cities around the world one can sip cocktails and dine before a massive Buddha statue while listening to lounge music. And in the Chicago area, one encounters Buddha head sculptures positioned on the ground in parks, by roads, and even in public school playgrounds as part of the Ten Thousand Ripples art project.

How, and why, did aspects of Buddhism enter all of these different social locations? Why does Buddhism receive a pass more often than other religions by the "spiritual but not religious" crowd? Can Buddhism be secular? In what ways is Buddhism compatible with science, and can Buddhist practices be proven effective using scientific methods? Can paying better attention by means of Buddhist meditation practices liberate us from suffering caused by digital distraction? In what ways can Buddhist articulations of interdependence, no self, and compassion be resources for addressing racial and structural injustice, even as sexual abuse, racism, and trans/homophobia continue to traumatize members of some Buddhist communities? These are some of the many questions we will consider through readings by some of the most creative Buddhist leaders, critics, and consumers of our time.

The course counts toward Religion, Health and Medicine (RHM) religious studies major concentration.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the key features of modern Buddhism
• Reflect on Buddhism and race, with a focus on articulations of Asian and Black Buddhist experiences and embodiment • Critically assess the ways in which Buddhist ideas & images are used in contemporary information sources such as websites, apps, TV/film, YouTube, and so forth
• Evaluate the benefits and the costs of the widespread application of Buddhist mindfulness techniques to secular pursuits, in particular in the contexts of business and medicine
• Consider the ways in which Buddhist conceptions are contributing to social justice and environmentalism • Gain confidence in speaking through active participation in class and in research and analytical writing through writing assignments

Teaching Method

Class Materials (Required)

Sharon Suh, Occupy This Body: A Buddhist Memoir. Nepean, ON: The Sumeru Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781896559506

David Loy, Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2019) ISBN-978-1614293828

Ronald Purser, McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality. London: Repeater Books, 2019. ISBN 9781912248315

Rima Vesely-Flad, Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition: The Practice of Stillness in the Movement for Liberation. New York: NYU Press, 2022.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro
SoC Individual and Social Behavior Distro