Studying Buddhism Through Material Objects Fall 2008

Professor

Ryan (Bong Seok Joo) Joo

Course Number

HACU-0230

Course Description

At first glance, Buddhism seems to reject the material world. From the time of Buddha, monks and nuns left their homes and worldly possessions in pursuit of austere ideals of renunciation and self-discipline. However, history reveals that Buddhism has been one of the major forces changing the scene of material world in Asia. It introduced new icons, architectures, books, clothes, medicines, arts, foods, ritual implements and furniture. Rather than studying Buddhism from a standpoint of lofty philosophy or meditative experience, this course will examine Buddhism from concrete material objects. Example of such objects include Tibetan mandala, mummified body of Zen master, magical medicine called mani pills, scriptures written in blood, Buddha's relics and statues, monastic robes, prayer beads and tea. Through studying these materials, we will try to understand how their substance interacts with religious belief, practice, ritual, and an aura of sacrality. This course satisfies the Division I distribution requirement. MCP, REA, WRI, PRJ