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Course Info for RELG - 216 - 01, Fall 2024
Class number: 3319 Title: Buddhism of the 99% Department: Religious Studies
Career: Undergraduate Component: Seminar Session: Regular
Instructor's Permission Required: No Grading Basis: Regular Units: 1.00
Enrollment limited to 19 Current enrollment: 18 Available seats: 1
Start date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 End date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Mode of Instruction: In Person
Schedule: MW: 11:30AM-12:45PM, MC - 305 Instructor(s): Kerekes, Susanne
Prerequisite(s): None
Distribution Requirement: Meets Humanities and Global Requirements
Course Description:
Buddhism of the 99% is motivated by three themes: Buddhism of-, by-, and for the people. "Buddhism of the people" focuses on the Buddhisms that are governed by Buddhists themselves to create more representative and inclusive communities (Dalit Buddhist conversion in 1950s India, Black Dharma, and Asian American Buddhists). "Buddhism by the people" showcases the material culture and practices fashioned by Asian Buddhists themselves (temples, amulets, rituals, magic). "Buddhism for the people" spotlights movements that aim to make life better for the 99%, especially those of Buddhist activists who contributed to the rise of socially engaged Buddhism in the 1960s (e.g., Buddhist liberation theology, or closer to home, addressing America's racial karma). Each theme highlights marginalized aspects of Buddhism's history and present, socially and intellectually.