The course focuses on the Buddhist controversy on the sudden versus gradual approaches to Enlightenment: Can Enlightenment be approached through a series of successive approximations or can it only be realized all at once in its entirety? Although the sudden-gradual polarity was not without antecedent history in other Buddhist tradition, it will be discussed here with particular reference to the history of Buddhism in China.

This course is a historical survey of the Chan or Ch'an (Dhyāna) school of Chinese Buddhism, one of the most influential Buddhist schools in China. The survey includes the most important periods in the development of this school, such as the introduction of Patriarch Chan into China for the first time, the establishment of Patriarch Chan as a separate School, and the divisions of Patriarch Chan over time. It will also outline the special features of the Patriarch Chan of each different major sub-school or lineage.

This study is designed to enable the students to gain a general knowledge of the fundamental teachings of the Tian Tai or T'ien T'ai School of China and the Tendai School of Japan. It will make a historical survey of the developments within the school and the influence it exerted on the subsequent schools of Buddhist thought, both in China and Japan.

The course focuses on the Buddhist controversy on the sudden versus gradual approaches to Enlightenment: Can Enlightenment be approached through a series of successive approximations or can it only be realized all at once in its entirety? Although the sudden-gradual polarity was not without antecedent history in other Buddhist tradition, it will be discussed here with particular reference to the history of Buddhism in China.

Buddhist Chinese is a specialized course designed to train students in reading and translating Chinese Buddhist texts. It will also introduce students to the used of dictionaries, reference works, encyclopedias and other materials relavant to research work in Chinese Buddhist texts.

This study is intended as an analysis and evaluation of the literary works in the Tibetan Tripitaka. Attention will be focused on the following topics: An introduction to the translation of Buddhist literature into Tibetan; the Kanjur; the Tanjur; Tantric texts: classification and characteristics; Kriyā, Caryā, Yoga, Yogottara, and Yoganiruttara tantras; some of the main individual texts will be examined.

The purpose of this course is to highlight teachings relating to lay society and to examine their continuing relevance and applicability to modern life. The course will also examine some contemporary social issues and problems from a Buddhist perspective in order to clarify the Buddhist position in relation to them. The main thrust of the course is to show how to inculcate Buddhist values and attitudes in today's life.

An analytical and evaluative study of Buddhist teachings relating to social institutions incorporating the following aspects: early care of children; marriage; the role of teachers of Buddhism - monks and laymen; health care and medical facilities; after death care (ñātidhammo).

The course aims to collate and systematize passages from the Buddhist scriptures that are relevant to the areas of education and communication. Examples of contemporary Buddhist practice will be examined in terms of both Buddhist scriptural and recent academic approaches to education and communication.

The purpose of this course is to develop a Buddhist economic philosophy on the basis of the Buddhist teachings relating to the role of wealth in social organization. The Buddhist emphasis on the need to have a moral foundation for all human activities will form the central theme of this study. The course will also discuss the contemporary relevance of Buddhist observations on economic problems and the responses expected from Buddhism in regard to the needs and challenges of modern era.