Calendar for Tibetan Buddhist Culture Course
The calendar is based on a typical four month academic semester with roughly three hours of contact per week. The implementation at the University of Virginia is typically 2 fifty minute lectures taught by the main instructor, and 1 fifty minute section discussion led by advanced graduate instructors. The readings are more extensive the first half other semester (week #1-7), and then less in the second half when focus should be on the final assignment (week #8-14).
Introduction: Week #1 (#/#-#)
No readings.
1. Buddhist philosophy - a reasonable world of renunciation and compassion with emptiness: Weeks 2-3
The first unit of the semester surveys the basics of Buddhist philosophy and its different forms in order to provide a doctrinal and cosmological perspective on the Buddhist world within which Tibetan culture has been deeply grounded ever since the 8th century. The first week deals with the early form of Indian Buddhism known as the "lesser vehicle" (Sanskrit Hinayana) and its persistence in Tibet in the form of a basic world view dominated by the dualism of samsara and nirvana, enlightened humans known as Buddhas, and the rhythms of karma and merit accumulation. The second week deals with the later form of Indian Buddhism known as the "greater vehicle" (Sanskrit Mahayana) and its persistence in Tibet, with its focus on compassion, altruistic Bodhisattvas, and meditation on "emptiness".
Meanwhile we will look at Shabkar's early years, how he comes to discover his vocation as a full time Buddhist practioner and leave ordinary village life. This provides a socio-biographical look at these basic Buddhist doctrines, and how themes of renunciation, karma and samsara play out in a Buddhist life and society.
Week #2 (#/#-#): The karma/samsara world of basic Buddhist philosophy
The Words of My Perfect Teacher - Part I, Chap. 1: The difficulty of finding the freedoms and advantages (7-38), Chap. 2: The impermanence of life (39-60), Chap. 3: The defects of samsara (61-100), Chap. 4: Actions: the principle of cause and effect (101-132)
The Life of Shabkar – Introduction (3-10), Chap. 1: Early Years (15-21), – Chap. 2: Renouncing the World (27-34),
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
To be provided.
SECTION #1: THE WEB
In addition to introductions, we will have basic hands-on introduction to E-folio, our web-based class management tool. We will begin with instruction in basic tags used in HTML to construct a web page. In this way, even if subsequently you only use an editor that hides the tags, you will have basic familiarity with what a HTML page looks like underneath to deal with any eventualities.
Week #3 (#/#-#): compassion and meditation in exoteric Buddhist philosophy and practice
The Words of My Perfect Teacher - Part I, Chap. 5: The benefits of liberation (133-134), Chap. 6: How to follow a spiritual friend (137-166), Part II, Chap. 1: Taking refuge, foundation stone of all paths (171-192), Chap. 2: Arousing bodhichitta, the root of the Great Vehicle (195-262)
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 3: Meeting My Teacher (39-46), Chap. 4: Retreat at the Hermit's Cave (49-64)
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
To be provided.
SECTION #2: SAMSARA, NIRVANA AND KARMA
Focus on early Buddhism "Hinayana" focus on samsara/karma world view.
II. Tantra and contemplation: Weeks #4-5
The third and final phase of Indian Buddhism is known as "the adamantine vehicle" (Sanskrit vajrayana), or tantra. While all three "vehicles" of Indian Buddhism became important traditions in Tibet, tantra dominated all aspects of Tibetan religious life and thought. This second unit then provides an overview of Buddhist tantra literature, thought and practice, dividing it into three distinct stands. The first strand (dealt with in the first week) corresponds to the earliest form of tantra which revolves around the symbolism of becoming a King/Buddha through an elaborate series of initiatory consecrations modeled on the coronation of a king; the main practice is known as deity yoga, or "generation phase" (generating yourself as a Buddha through visualization). The second strand (dealt with in the second week) of "perfection phase" (perfecting yourself as a Buddha) revolves around the transgressive rhetoric of breaking rules and going beyond ordinary morality, such that horrific and sexual images abound. In addition, the central contemplative practice is manipulating the subtle body of energy flows within the body. The third strand, referred to as the "Great Seal" (Sanskrit mahamudra) or the "Great Perfection" (Tibetan rdzogs chen), revolves around a naturalist rhetoric calling for naturalness, spontaneity and relaxation. Its central contemplative practices involve a technique-free relaxation in the "nature of the mind", and/or spontaneous flows of visionary experiences.
Meanwhile we will follow Shabkar as he proceeds into a life of constant retreats and movement back and forth between solitude and community after finding his primary teacher (lama). In addition to following these patterns in his movements, dreams and visions, we will also be looking at how tantra dominates his life and the forms it takes therein.
Week 4 (#/#-#): Becoming a Buddha via visual generation
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 5: Meditation at Tigress Fort (65-94)
Cozort, Daniel (1996). "Sadhana (sGrub thabs): Means of Achievement for Deity Yoga". In Tibetan Literature, eds. Jose Cabezon and Roger Jackson, Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion. Pp. 331-343.
Snellgrove, David (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, vol. I. Boston: Shambhala. Pp. 117-180, 188-212 is overview of tantra minus initiations and perfection phase practices.
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
The Words of My Perfect Teacher – Part II, Ch. 5: The Kusali's accumulation: destroying the four demons at a single stroke (297-307).
Makransky, John (1996). "Offering (mchod pa) in Tibetan Ritual Literature". In Tibetan Literature, eds. Jose Cabezon and Roger Jackson, Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion. Pp. 312-330.
Gyatso, Janet. "An Avalokitesvara Sadhana". In Donald Lopez, ed., Religions of India in Practice. Princeton, New Jersey, 1995, pp. 266-270.
Cozort, Daniel (1986). Highest Yoga Tantra. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion. See Pp. 1-62 for overview of tantra and account of "generation stage" practices.
Beyer, Stephan. The Cult of Tara:
- Background on Tibetan deity cults (1-63)
- Generation stage (bskyed rim) practice and theory (64-127). 66-99 in particular.
- Perfection stage (rdzogs rim) practice (127-143)
Bentor, Yael. "The Tibetan Practice of the Mantra Path According to Lce-sgom-pa". Pp. 326-346.
SECTION #3: COMPASSION AND EMPTINESS, AND THE LIFE OF SHABKAR
Focus on Mahayana themes of classical Indian Buddhism, especially compassion/emptiness, and the new figures of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Look at how these themes of community engagement play out in Shabkar.
Students bring in to section two passages from Shabkar that illustrate intersection of doctrine with relationships with his community, teacher, family, environment, etc. Be prepared to do a close reading of the text.
Week 5 (#/#-#): Perfecting Bodies in Bodies
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 6: At The Heart of the Lake (95-126, 139-151)
Gyatso, Geshe Kelsang (1982). Clear Light of Bliss. London: Wisdom Publications. Chapter 1 on "Channels, Winds and Drops" (17-32), and Chapter 2 on "Inner Fire" (33-66) give good introductions to perfection phase practices.
Snellgrove, David (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, vol. I. Boston: Shambhala. Pp. 278-303 on the "perfection phase" practices.
SECTION #4: CLASSICAL TANTRA
In this section do a hands on exercise on computer to show how to build links. Step them through pre-pared Shabkar exercise where teachers already have web sites in mind etc. to get pictures and links.
Otherwise, the discussion focus for this section is on Vajrayana. Go through the three types of tantras, and raise specified questions about each.
III. Art, agents and cosmology - deity cults and different worlds: Weeks 6-7
This third unit now shifts our attention to the broader world frameworks in which Tibetans live with a particular attention to two competing worlds that are at times referred to as "shamanic" and "Buddhist" respectively and operate out of quite different paradigms. Himalayan Dialogue will portray dramatically this tense dialog that has driven Tibetan culture for over ten centuries. The nature of agents – humans, animals, saints, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, gods and demons – believed to be operate within the world is crucial to understanding the world Tibetans at any point inhabited and shaped. Thus we will also be looking at art in this unit to gain insight into the agents which dominate the Tibetan religious world by means of how Tibetans have represented them visually.
Meanwhile, in Shabkar we will be reading his life story for traces of this tension, and especially direct accounts of these different non-human agents and the forms they take in his visionary experience. We will also be following his struggle with personal issues relating to his renunciation as relates to his complex and eventually sad relationship with his mother.
Week 6 (#/#-#): sacrifice and renunciation, the new Buddhist world
The Art of Tibet - Introduction (11-27); Chapter 1: The Tibetan Pantheon (28-74)
Himalayan Dialogue - Chapter 3: Shamanic Sacrifice and Buddhist Renunciation (63-79)
The Life of Shabkar –Chap. 7: Meditation at Mount Machen (155-177)
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
Davidson, Ronald. "The Bodhisattva Vajrapani's Subjugation of Siva," pp. 547-555. In Donald Lopez, ed., Religions of India in Practice. Princeton, New Jersey, 1995.
SECTION #5: LATE TANTRA
Talk about late tantra, antinomianism, and so forth.
Week 7 (#/#-#)
The Art of Tibet - Chapter 2: Structures, Objects and Images (75-124), Chapter 4: The Development of Tibetan Styles 15th-19th Centuries (166-215).
Himalayan Dialogue - Chapter 4: Repudiation of the Red Offering (pp. 80-92)
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 8: At White Rock Monkey Fortress (179-203)
Gyaltsen, Sakyapa Sonam (1996). The Clear Mirror: A Traditional Account of Tibet's Golden Age. Translated by McComas Taylor and Lama Choedak Yuthok. Ithaca, New york: Snow Lion Publications. Chapter 4, "The birth of the sublime Avalokiteshvara from a lotus, and the qualities of the Six-Syllable Mantra" (pp. 52-62), Chapter 7, "The descent of the Tibetan race from a monkey and a rock-ogress" (pp. 75-79), Chapter 9, "Four rays of light emanate from the body of the sublime Avalokiteshvara and the Dharma-king Songtsen gampo is born" (95-98), and Chapter 17, "The deeds of the king and queens are completed and they are absorbed into the heart of the Self-created Eleven-faced Image" (pp. 197-217).
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
The Art of Tibet - Chapter 3: The Development of Tibetan Styles 11th-14th Centuries (125-165)
SECTION #6: COSMOLOGIES AND SACRIFICE - SHAMANISM AND BUDDHISM
Now talk about art, agency of spirits, deities, etc.
IV. Ritual life - interacting with the agents of the world: Weeks 8-9
We will now turn to the nature of how humans interact with spiritual agents in these landscapes, with the ritual means of interaction varying in accordance with the type of agent in question. Himalayan Dialog in particular provides three different accounts in terms of serpent deities, guardian deities, and demons. In addition, we will look at fasting rituals. In Shabkar, we will continue to trace the themes of the semester in his life.
Week 8 (#/#-#)
Himalayan Dialogue - Chapter 5: Reciprocal exchange with the underworld serpent deities (klu) (93-116)
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 11: At Mount Kailash (275-342)
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
Kapstein, Matthew. "Turning Back Gossip," pp. 527-537. In Donald Lopez, ed., Religions of Tibet in Practice. Princeton, New Jersey, 1997.
SECTION #7: DEITY CULTS: SPIRITUAL AGENTS
Week 9 (#/#-#)
Himalayan Dialogue - Chapter 6: Rites of defense: serving the guardian deities (btsan) (117-139); Chapter 7: Rites of Exorcism: Expelling the Demons (bdud) (140-164)
Jackson, Roger. "A Fasting Ritual," pp. 271-292. In Donald Lopez, ed., Religions of Tibet in Practice. Princeton, New Jersey, 1997. Show fasting passages in Shabkar. See fasting passages in Mumford, pp. 26, 56, 111.
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 12: Pilgrimage to Nepal (349-389)
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
To be provided.
SECTION #8: CRISES AND UNSEEN AGENTS
V. Landscape, sacred sites and pilgrimage: Weeks 10-11
Against the background of the distinctive nature of Tibetan world(s) and the agents operative within it, we will now turn to Tibetan ritual interactions with their landscapes and the worlds they project onto them punctuated by special "sacred spots" understood as "residences" (gnas) of agents with special spiritual powers. Shabkar will provide an excellent case study for examining these conceptions and practices as he travels through a variety of such spaces, and especially the holy crystal mountain of Tsari, on his way to Lhasa, the sacred center of the Tibetan landscape.
Week 10 (#/#-#): circling divine residences
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 9: Pilgrimage to Central Tibet (205-238)
Huber, Toni (1999). The Cult of Pure Crystal Mountain: Popular Pilgrimage and Visionary Landscape in Southeast Tibet. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 1, Introduction (pp. 3-9), Chapter 2, Tibetan Pilgrimage: Concepts and Practices (10-20), Chapter 3,, The Cult of Pilgrimage Mountains in Tibet (21-38).
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
Various chapters by different authors, Mandala and Landscape, edited by A. W. Macdonald. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, 1997.
Various chapters by different authors, Sacred Spaces and Powerful Places in Tibetan Culture, edited by Toni Huber, Dharamsala: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1999.
Huber, Toni (1994). "Putting the gnas Back into gnas-skor: Rethinking Tibetan Buddhist Pilgrimage Practice". In The Tibet Journal, vol. XIX, no. 2, pp. 23-60, as well as in Sacred Spaces and Powerful Places in Tibetan Culture, edited by Toni Huber, Dharamsala: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1999, pp. 77-104.
SECTION #9:
Week 11 (#/#-#): the Crystal mountain and tantric places
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 10: The Ravines of Tsari (243-267)
Huber, Toni (1999). The Cult of Pure Crystal Mountain: Popular Pilgrimage and Visionary Landscape in Southeast Tibet. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 4, Cosmodrama and Architectonics of Landscape (39-57), Chapter 6, A Tantric Environment (81-103), Chapter 7, Popular Short Pilgrimages (104-127).
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
To be provided.
SECTION #10:
VI. Environment-human interaction - Communities and place: Week 12
This week continues to deal with sacred landscapes, and includes issues of mountain cults and pilgrimage against the backdrop of broader issues the way in which human culture in all its aspects is deeply intertwined with the environments in which they are formed. While Shabkar stays at the famous mountain site of Lapchi, we will look at Huber's analysis of the same site.
Week 12 (#/#-#)
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 13: Meditation at Lapchi (395-442)
Huber, Toni. "Guidebook to Lapchi". In Donald Lopez, ed., Religions of Tibet in Practice. Princeton, New Jersey, 1997. pp. 120-134.
Germano, David (1989) "Re-membering the Dismembered Body of Tibet: Contemporary Tibetan Visionary Movements in the People's Republic of China," pp. 53-94. In Melvyn Goldstein and Matthew Kapstein, eds., Buddhism in Contemporary Tibet. Berkeley, Los Angeles and London.
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
Huber, Toni (1997). "A Guide to the La-Phyi Mandala: History, Landscape and Ritual in South-Western Tibet". Pp. 233-286. In Mandala and Landscape, edited by A. W. Macdonald. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld.
SECTION #11
Week (11/17): course meeting cancelled due to conference and Thanksgiving
No readings.
VII. DEATH AND DYING: WEEKS 13-14
The course concludes by shifting focus to look at Tibetan concepts, attitudes and practices directed to dying, death and post-death. We will do so by first looking at one of the most famous texts of dying and death in Tibetan literature, known in English as The Tibetan Book of the Dead, a revealed text claimed to stem from the 8th century Indian saint Padmasambhava via visionary means. It addresses how one should use dying, death and the post-death states to become enlightened. We will then in the second week look at Germano's analysis of the same traditions. Meanwhile, we will be looking at the conclusion of Shabkar's life as he retraces his pilgrim's path across central Tibet and then eastwards towards his starting point and home.
Week 13 (#/#-#)
Fremantle, Francesca and Chogyam Trungpa (1987). The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Boston & London: Shambhala Publications. Pp. 1-94.
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 14: Return to Central Tibet (447-480)
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
To be provided.
SECTION #13: DEATH ACROSS CULTURES
Week 14 (#/#-#)
Germano, David (1997). "Dying, Death and Other Opportunities", pp. 458-493. In Donald Lopez, ed., Religions of Tibet in Practice. Princeton, New Jersey.
The Life of Shabkar – Chap. 15: Road to Domey (485-536)
NOT REQUIRED RELATED READINGS
To be provided.