OL Readings in Mahayana Texts

Catalog description

Taught by GTU/Institute for Buddhist Studies ONLINE Subtitle: The Lotus Sutra and Zen Views This online course will feature textual study of selected chapters from the Lotus Sutra, a central scripture in East Asian Buddhism, with commentaries and references from Zen teachers. Through colorful parables and shifting visionary viewpoints, the Lotus Sutra elaborates and expresses such key East Asian Buddhist themes as the subtle workings of skillful means; the Diversity of spiritual needs and approaches and their unity in the One Vehicle; the mystical pervasion of awakening beings in both space and time; and the centrality of faith to Buddhist awakening. In addition to examining the meaning of the Sutra's techings and their irrelevance to modern spiritual concerns, we will also consider the Sutra's widespread influence on East Asian culture, and the role of the Lotus Sutra in Japanese Zen and other East Asian traditions. [Some introductory course in Buddhism, including the Mahayana; 15 max enrollment; Auditors with faculty permission]