Download Buddhist and Christian Visions of the Contemplative Life

THEO 64835
Buddhist and Christian Visions of the Contemplative Life
A comparative study of the disciplines of meditation in Buddhism and
contemplative prayer in Christianity, especially as practiced by those who
are characterized as “mystics.” Selected classics from the two traditions will
be read and discussed against the background of contemporary theories of
spirituality and mysticism.
A Notre Dame Theology Course
Offered at the Redemptorist Renewal Center
at Picture Rocks, in Tucson, Arizona
December 27, 2014 through January 7, 2015.
Instructor:
Robert M. Gimello
Research Professor of Theology and of East Asian Languages & Cultures
Course Description:
In the fields of comparative theology and the theology of religions, and in the
actual conduct of dialogue among religions, it is often held that spiritual practice
has greater claim upon our attention than do other elements of religion like
doctrine, scripture, ritual performance, institutional organization, history, or even
ethics. It is commonly assumed, in other words, that if we are to learn whether or
not there can be genuine unity, or harmony, or complementarity among religions
— if we are to come to know, for example, whether or not more than one religion
may be deemed salvificly efficacious — we must pay special attention to the
interior lives of their most esteemed adherents. We may all easily agree that
religions differ, sometimes quite markedly, in their metaphysics, their
epistemologies, their social and ethical visions, there aesthetic canons, and their
various forms of outward behavior, but we are told that if we would know
whether such differences are merely superficial, rather than essential, we must
look especially to the inner experiences of paragon believers as they pursue
practices variously labeled prayer, meditation, or contemplation. Such inner
precincts of the religious life, it is maintained, are the final court of judgment on
the possibility and validity of unity and concord among religions.
This course will be a comparative exploration of the inner landscapes of two
religious traditions — Christianity and Buddhism — that are often chosen for
special comparative scrutiny both by those who would insist on fundamental
difference or incommensurability between religions and those who see the
possibility of the deep interreligious convergence.
The first third of the course will introduce the major methods of Buddhist
meditation whereas the second third will treat of exemplary forms of the Christian
contemplative life. Our focus throughout these first two weeks will be chiefly on
primary sources — i.e., on translated texts of moderate length drawn from the
archives of traditional Buddhism and Christianity. The final third of the course
will be given over to consideration of the controversies among modern
theologians, contemplatives, and non-theological scholars about the similarities
and/or differences between Christian and Buddhist contemplation and about the
criteria by which similarity and or difference can be determined.
Readings:
We will read and discuss much of the material included in:
William Harmless, S. J., Mystics (Oxford & New York: Oxford
University Press, 2008) — ISBN 978-0-19-530039-0.
Other required readings — selections from both primary and secondary sources
— will be provided by the instructor in the form of pdf files distributed by email
to students enrolled in the course.
Students who are entirely new to the study of Buddhism may find it useful to
consult in advance, as preparatory or background reading, a general introduction
to the religion. For this purpose I especially recommend:
Rupert Gethin. The Foundations of Buddhism (Oxford & New York:
Oxford University Press, 1998) — ISBN 0-19-289223-1.
Not quite as good, but still serviceable and a much quicker “read,” is:
Damien Keown. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford & New
York: Oxford University Press, 1996) — ISBN 0-19-285386-4.
Requirements
The only formal requirement of the course, part from conscientious and informed
participation in class discussions, will be a single paper, on a relevant topic
chosen in consultation with the instructor. The paper should be 20-25 double
space pages (i.e., approximately 5,000 to 6,250 words) in length and must be
submitted within three weeks of the conclusion of the course.
A detailed syllabus — listing particular meeting topics and dated reading
assignments — will be distributed in at least a month before the course begins
(i.e., by November 7, 2014).
For further information feel free to contact either
Dr. Catherine Cavadini, Coordinator of the Notre Dame Dept. of Theology
Department’s M.A. program, (mailto:[email protected])
or Prof. Gimello at (mailto:[email protected])