Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and the Modern World: Lesser Vehicle
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About this course: Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and the Modern World explores the immense variety of meditation practices past and present. We present their histories, their philosophical underpinnings, their transformations in the modern global world, and we give you a chance to reflect upon meditation practices through secular contemplations designed just for this course. We use a traditional, if overly simplistic, way of grouping Buddhist philosophical systems and ritual-contemplative practices into “three vehicles”, three programs of theory and practice supporting the personal journey from suffering to enlightenment. This scheme became normative in India and Tibet: (i) the Lesser Veh…
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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan .
- Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
- Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.
About this course: Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and the Modern World explores the immense variety of meditation practices past and present. We present their histories, their philosophical underpinnings, their transformations in the modern global world, and we give you a chance to reflect upon meditation practices through secular contemplations designed just for this course. We use a traditional, if overly simplistic, way of grouping Buddhist philosophical systems and ritual-contemplative practices into “three vehicles”, three programs of theory and practice supporting the personal journey from suffering to enlightenment. This scheme became normative in India and Tibet: (i) the Lesser Vehicle (Hīnayāna), (ii) the Great Vehicle (Mahāyāna), and (iii) the Adamantine Vehicle (Vajrayāna), also referred to as “esoteric Buddhism” or “Buddhist tantra”. To this, we will add a fourth Vehicle which is explicit in many Tibetan materials, though no standard term ever emerged that was accepted by all sectarian traditions - we will thus term it as the “Natural Vehicle” or “Post Tantra”. We follow an indigenous Tibetan tradition in terms of characterizing each with a specific orientational paradigm - repression, refinement, transformation, and natural freedom. These twelve meditative traditions constitute the framework for the course’s discussion of the main streams of Tibetan Buddhist meditation. The five modules of the present course, dedicated to "Lesser Vehicle" practices and perspectives, treat the first five of these twelve types. Each module in turn has four components: (i) the specific Buddhist meditation in its traditional presentation and practice; (ii) modern scientific research into its efficacy and dynamics, or on practices, principles, and processes related to this type of meditation in our analysis; (iii) the fact, problems, and opportunities of modern secular adaptations in a variety of educational, professional, and personal settings; and (iv) secular practices for experimentation, which are either direct adaptations or new practices designed to give an experiential sense of some of the principles underlying the Buddhist meditative practice.
Created by: University of Virginia-
Taught by: Prof. David Francis Germano, Professor
Religious Studies -
Taught by: Kurtis R. Schaeffer, Frances Myers Ball Professor of Religious Studies
Religious Studies
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University of Virginia A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Introduction
The Content, Structure, and Instructors of the Course. This class is the first in a four part series on Buddhism. The other classes will focus on the Greater Vehicle, Adamantine Vehicle, and Natural Vehicle.
2 videos, 4 readings expand
- Reading: "Buddhist Meditation and the Modern World: Introductory Essay," David Germano
- Video: "Course Structure and Instructors," Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: "Contemplation and Contexts in Tibetan Buddhist Meditation"-David Germano at Mind and Life 2014
- Reading: Reading for Buddhist Meditation
- Reading: Overview of the Lesser Vehicle
- Reading: Readings for the Lesser Vehicle
WEEK 2
Ordinary Preliminary Practices
Tibetan perspectives on the foundations of contemplative practice; early Buddhist meditations; the beginnings of Western Buddhist meditation; and an introduction to the science of meditation. Includes lectures by Dr. Clifford Saron, Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche, as well as an interview with David McMahan. Contemplative labs with Anne Klein and Anam Thubten
28 videos, 8 readings expand
- Reading: Ordinary Preliminaries Meditation Overview
- Reading: Readings for Ordinary Preliminaries Meditation
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - Background and Transitions," David Germano
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - Buddhist Background: The Four Noble Truths," David Germano
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - Goals, Values, and Methods," David Germano
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - Practices, Part 1," David Germano
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - Practices, Part 2," David Germano
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - Practices, Part 3," David Germano
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - The Inner Conflicts of Ordinary Preliminaries Meditation," David Germano
- Video: "Ordinary Preliminary Practices Meditation - Historical Transformation, Stages on the Path," David Germano
- Video: "A Traditional Perspective on Ordinary Preliminaries Meditation," Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro
- Reading: Overview for the Science of Meditation
- Reading: Readings for the Science of Meditation
- Video: "Be Holding The Space of the Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience, Part I - How the Brain Constructs our Experience of the World," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Be Holding The Space of the Brain, Part II - Neurons," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Be Holding The Space of the Brain, Part III - The Brain as an Interconnected System," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Be Holding The Space of the Brain, Part IV - The Brain as a Representational System," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Be Holding The Space of the Brain, Part V - Neuroplasticity," Clifford Saron
- Reading: Overview of Secular Adaptations, Analogs, and Cultural Histories
- Reading: Readings for Secular Adaptations, Analogs, and Cultural Histories
- Video: "Buddhist Meditation in the Modern World: A Story of Secularization," Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: “A Brief History of Meditation in America,” Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: "How Does Buddhism Change in a New Culture?" Tsoknyi Rinpoche
- Video: "Suffering and Sitting - Introduction," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Suffering and Sitting - Guided Meditation," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Suffering and Sitting - Concluding Remarks," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Cultivating an Understanding of Impermanence - Introduction," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "Cultivating an Understanding of Impermanence - Guided Meditation," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "Cultivating an Understanding of Impermanence - Concluding Thoughts," Anne C. Klein
- Reading: Biography of Anne C. Klein and her Work
- Reading: Suggested Readings for Contemplation
- Video: "An Introduction to Buddhist Modernism," David McMahan
- Video: "Buddhist Modernity and Secularism," David McMahan
- Video: "Buddhist Meditation in the Modern World," David McMahan
- Video: "Traits and Contours of Buddhist Modernity," David McMahan
- Video: "Religion and Buddhist Modernism," David McMahan
Graded: Ordinary Preliminary Practices
WEEK 3
Mindfulness Meditation (smṛti)
An introduction to Mindfulness meditation practice and the contemporary Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Includes lectures by Dr. Clifford Saron, Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche, as well as an interview with Jim Coan. Contemplative labs with Anne Klein, Anam Thubten, and Susan Bauer-Wu.
31 videos, 6 readings expand
- Reading: Mindfulness Meditation Overview
- Reading: Readings for Mindfulness Meditation
- Video: "Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation - Background and Transitions," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation - Goals and Values, Methods, and Practices" David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation - Practices, Part 1" David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation - Practices, Part 2" David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation - Practices, Part 3" David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation - Inner Conflicts" David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation - Historical Transformations and Stages on the Path" David Germano
- Video: "A Traditional Perspective on Mindfulness Meditation," Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro
- Reading: Science of Mindfulness Overview
- Reading: Readings for the Science of Mindfulness
- Video: “Introduction to MBIs Research," Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "The Contemporary Context of the Science of Meditation," Clifford Saron
- Video: "What do People do When they Meditate?: A Scientific Problem," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Mapping the Dimensions of Meditation," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Touring an fMRI Lab," Jamie Morris
- Reading: MBSR Overview
- Reading: Readings for the History of MBSR
- Video: “Introduction to the History of MBSR," Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: "Benefits and Dangers of Secularizing Buddhism," Tsoknyi Rinpoche
- Video: "The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation - Introduction," Anam Thubten
- Video: "The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation - Guided Meditation," Anam Thubten
- Video: "The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation - Concluding Remarks," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Cultivation of Mindfulness Meditation - Introduction," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "Cultivation of Mindfulness Meditation - Guided Meditation," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "Cultivation of Mindfulness Meditation - Concluding Remarks," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "Stabilizing the Mind - Introduction," Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "Stabilizing the Mind - Guided Meditation," Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "Stabilizing the Mind - Concluding Remarks," Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "Body Scan Practice - Introduction," Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "Body Scan Practice - Guided Meditation," Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "Body Scan Practice - Concluding Remarks," Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "An Introduction to Neuroscience and Neurological Research," Jim Coan
- Video: "Tools of Neurological Research," Jim Coan
- Video: "Interpreting Neurological Data," Jim Coan
- Video: "Contemplation and Neuroscientists," Jim Coan
Graded: Mindfulness Meditation
WEEK 4
Calm Meditation
An introduction to Calm meditation and its use in contemporary research environments. Includes lectures by Dr. Clifford Saron and Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro, as well as an interview with Tish Jennings. Contemplative labs with Anne Klein, Anam Thubten, and Susan Bauer-Wu
27 videos, 6 readings expand
- Reading: Calm Meditation Overview
- Reading: Readings for Calm Meditation
- Video: "Buddhist Calm Meditation - Background and Transitions," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Calm Meditation - Goals and Values," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Calm Meditation - Methods," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Calm Meditation - Practices," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Calm Meditation - Inner Conflicts," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Calm Meditation - Historical Transformations and Stages on the Path" David Germano
- Video: "A Traditional Perspective on Calm Meditation," Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro
- Reading: The Science of Concentration Overview
- Reading: Readings for the Science of Concentration
- Video: "The Science of Meditation: A Personal Account," Clifford Saron
- Video: "The Shamata Project," Clifford Saron
- Reading: Meditation: Lost in Translation Overview
- Reading: Readings for Meditation: Lost in Translation?
- Video: "Meditation: Lost in Translation, Part I," Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: "Meditation: Lost in Translation, Part II," Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: "Meditation: Lost in Translation, Part III," Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: "Developing Serenity - Introduction" Anam Thubten
- Video: "Developing Serenity - Guided Meditation," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Developing Serenity - Concluding Remarks," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Cultivating Calm - Introduction," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "Cultivating Calm - Guided Meditation," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "Cultivating Calm - Concluding Remarks," Anne C. Klein
- Video: “Grounding Yourself – Introduction,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: “Grounding Yourself – Guided Meditation,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: “Grounding Yourself – Concluding Remarks,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "The Power of a Contemplative Adult in the Classroom," Tish Jennings
- Video: "The Importance of Social and Emotional Learning in Schools," Tish Jennings
- Video: "How to Bring Contemplative Practices into Schools," Tish Jennings
- Video: "Training Teachers in Contemplative Pedagogies," Tish Jennings
- Video: "Researching the Effectiveness of Contemplative Pedagogies," Tish Jennings
- Video: "Concerns for the Future of Contemplation in the K-12 Classroom," Tish Jennings
Graded: Quiz Calm Meditation
WEEK 5
Insight Meditation
An introduction to Insight meditation and its use in the contemporary development of contemplative pedagogy. Includes lectures by Dr. Clifford Saron, Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche, as well as interviews with Rhonda Magee, Erik Braun, and David Mick. Contemplative labs with Anne Klein, Anam Thubten, and Susan Bauer-Wu
46 videos, 4 readings expand
- Reading: Insight Meditation Overview
- Reading: Readings for Insight Meditation
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Background and Transitions," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Transitions, Part 2," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Buddhist Background," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Goals and Values, Methods," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Methods, Part 2," David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Practices" David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Inner Conflicts" David Germano
- Video: "Buddhist Insight Meditation - Historical Transformations, Stages on the Path" David Germano
- Video: "A Traditional Perspective on Insight Meditation," Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro
- Video: "Buddhism in Education and Family," Tsoknyi Rinpoche
- Reading: Measuring Meditation Overview
- Reading: Readings for Measuring Meditation
- Video: "Measuring Compassion and Meditation, Part I" Clifford Saron
- Video: "Measuring Compassion and Meditation, Part II - How to Measure Data when Dealing with Meditation," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Measuring Compassion and Meditation, Part III - Meditation and EEG," Clifford Saron
- Video: “Contemplation in Curricular Context,” Kurtis Schaeffer
- Video: "Developing Insight into our Anxieties - Introduction," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Developing Insight into our Anxieties - Guided Meditation," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Developing Insight into our Anxieties - Concluding Remarks," Anam Thubten
- Video: "A Line to our own Insight - Introduction," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "A Line to our own Insight - Guided Meditation," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "A Line to our own Insight - Concluding Remarks," Anne C. Klein
- Video: “Stepping out of our Thinking Minds – Introduction,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: “Stepping out of our Thinking Minds – Guided Meditation,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: “Stepping out of our Thinking Minds – Concluding Remarks,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "Introducing Ledi Sayadaw, the Monastic Reformer of Burma," Erik Braun
- Video: "Weza, the Buddhist Wizards of Burma," Erik Braun
- Video: "Ledi Sayadaw and other Leaders in Meditation," Erik Braun
- Video: "Ledi Sayadaw: The Promotion of Meditation in Burma," Erik Braun
- Video: "Ledi Sayadaw: Resistance and the Relationship between Doctrine and Practice," Erik Braun
- Video: "Ledi Sayadaw: Engagement with the West," Erik Braun
- Video: "Ledi Sayadaw: Meditation Practices," Erik Braun
- Video: "Ledi Sayadaw: Effects on Contemporary Meditative Practice," Erik Braun
- Video: “A Burgeoning Interest in Well-Being and Wisdom in Business Culture,” David Mick
- Video: “Applying Wisdom to Real-World Business Decisions,” David Mick
- Video: “Elaborating on a Five-fold Conception of Wisdom,” David Mick
- Video: “Fostering Wisdom in Others,” David Mick
- Video: “The Role of Contemplation in Business Education,” David Mick
- Video: “Integrating and Valuing Differing Types of Knowledge,” David Mick
- Video: “Transformative Consumer Research,” David Mick
- Video: “Buddhist Influence on Wisdom,” David Mick
- Video: “Religion and Secularity in Contemplative Practice,” David Mick
- Video: “Buddhism, Marketing, and Desire,” David Mick
- Video: "A Lawyer’s Introduction to Contemplation," Rhonda Magee
- Video: "Law, Contemplation, and Ethical Values," Rhonda Magee
- Video: "Transforming Law Education Curriculum," Rhonda Magee
- Video: "Making Better Lawyers Through Contemplation," Rhonda Magee
- Video: "Encouraging Empathy and Compassion in Today’s Lawyers," Rhonda Magee
Graded: Insight Meditation
WEEK 6
The Diverse Objects of Early Buddhist Meditation
An introduction to the diverse objects of early Buddhist meditation. Includes lectures by Dr. Clifford Saron and Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro, as well as an interview with Sharon Salzberg. Contemplative labs with Anne Klein, Anam Thubten, and Susan Bauer-Wu
17 videos, 2 readings expand
- Reading: The Diverse Objects of Early Buddhist Meditation Overview
- Reading: Readings for the Diverse Objects of Buddhist Meditation
- Video: "A Traditional Perspective on the Objects of Buddhist Meditation," Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro
- Video: "The Science of Emotion," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Methodology and the Science of Meditation," Clifford Saron
- Video: "Meditating with the Body - Introduction," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Meditating with the Body - Guided Meditation," Anam Thubten
- Video: "Meditating with the Body - Concluding Remarks," Anam Thubten
- Video: "The Impact of the Object of our Attention - Introduction," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "The Impact of the Object of our Attention - Guided Meditation," Anne C. Klein
- Video: "The Impact of the Object of our Attention - Concluding Remarks," Anne C. Klein
- Video: “Opening the Heart – Introduction,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: “Opening the Heart – Guided Meditation,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: “Opening the Heart – Concluding Remarks,” Susan Bauer-Wu
- Video: "Exploring Buddhist Meditation in India," Sharon Salzberg
- Video: "Building a Buddhist Retreat Center in Massachusetts," Sharon Salzberg
- Video: "American Buddhist Reactions to Loving Kindness," Sharon Salzberg
- Video: "Teaching Buddhist Meditation in Secular Environments," Sharon Salzberg
- Video: "The Relationship of Science to Meditation," Sharon Salzberg
Graded: The Diverse Objects of Early Buddhist Meditation
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