Tibetan Buddhism plays a very important role in the Buddhist history. It reserved the original Buddhist teaching and traditions, as they were. I would like to spend a few months to discuss Tibetan Buddhism. But, I can't since we only have this much time to learn of Buddhism and we have to move to "Buddhism in China" and "Buddhism in Japan." We can only spend two or three classes to discuss Tibetan Buddhism. For this reason, your first reading report is on Dalai Lama's book, The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World. You have to work on Tibetan Buddhism on your own and share your understanding to the class. The followings are the requirements:
1) While your reading, keep the question, "how Buddhism could help in a trouble world" in your mind.
2) You can write your report on one part among the three parts in the book. Your report should be at least one page. You do not need to bring much of your critical thinking in the report. You will have a lot of chances to do so later.
3) You will be required to exchange your report with one of your classmates who does different part in the book. You have to make comments on your classmate's report. I will give you time to discuss your report and comments in the classes.
4) The criteria for your book reports are: a. Clear: you need
to report what you have read in clear sentences. b. Correct: you need to
report what you have read correctly. Don't add in anything that is not
belong to Buddhism. c. Using your own words: you have to use your own
words to summaries what you have read. You can quote from the textbooks,
but you need to give the source and page number after the quote. The
quote cannot be longer than a half page.
5) The due date is Feb. 9 (W)
Enjoy your readings and have a good weekend,
Dr Yuan