Introduction to Thai Buddhism GS 1061

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Introduction to Thai Buddhism GS 1061

• Venerable Dr Mettanando Bhikkhu
• B.Sc., M.D. (Chulalongkorn),
• B.A., M.A. (Oxford), Th. M. (Harvard),
• Ph.D. Hamburg

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Goals of the course for enrolled studentsability
to do the followings

• Describe in writing the development of Buddhism
  in India and Thailand
• Demonstrate the formal ways of Buddhist mannerism
  in Thai society
• Describe in writing fundamental Buddhist precepts
  and practices
• Discuss issues of moral reasoning in Buddhism

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Course outline

• 15 periods of lecture and discussion
• Field trip to local monastery and training of
  Buddhist mannerism
• Opportunity to interact with Buddhist clergy
• Meditation practices

Students are encouraged to.
Interact with the instructor in class, especially
during the QA session
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Rights of enrolled students

• Every student has his/her right to develop
  his/her standpoint on the subject
• (No need to believe the instructor)
• During lecture each student may interrupt to
  raise question to instructor at any time
• (However, respect to the rights of fellow
  students counts. )
• Any student who can prove to the instruction
  displayed by argument and reasoning in class that
  he/she has sufficient knowledge in the subject
  has to right to get A without taking
  examination
• (Academic argument with the instructor is
  encouraged.)

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Grading will be based on

• Class performance 10
• Retreat participation 20
• Midterm Exam 30
• Final Exam 40

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Attending class

• PowerPoint Projection will be employed most of
  the class
• Lecture note will be provided online
  www.cai.au.edu
• Class handout will be provided in
  class/administration
• Active participation in class is strongly
  encouraged
• Each enrolled student has no more than 4 periods
  of absence to be qualified for final exam
• Each absence from class needs formal document for
  leave

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Class Preparation for lecture

• Students should read handouts or text in
  preparation for each class in order to engage in
  active participation and discussion
• Lecture will begin with a quiz on content of the
  preceding class

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Course outline

• First week November 4, 2004
• Midterm exam November 30, 2004
• Final Exam December 30, 2004
• Educational trip to consult with enrolled
  students retreat providers

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Examination

• All examinations will be longhand essays which
  students are required to answer in English
• There will be no multiple choice in both exams
• On the final week before each exam, students will
  be given examination pool questions

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Biography of the instructor Mettanando Bhikkhu

• Dr. Mano Laohavanich, MD, Ph D, May 17, 1956
• Primary school Assumption College (1972)
• Secondary school Tria Udom Suksa (1975)
• Undergraduate Faculty of Science, CU (1979)
• Graduate Faculty of Medicine, CU (1981)
• Undergrad/Grad Oriel College, Oxford (1988)
• Master of Theology Harvard Divinity School
  (1993)
• Ph D. Hamburg University, Germany(1999)
• Main representative of WCRP to UN(ESCAP), since
  1995
• Director of International Affairs, Foundation of
  King Rama IX, The Great
• Guest lecturer Assumption University

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Contact mettanando_at_hotmail.
com