Buddhist Studies

Spring 2023: Meditation in Chinese Buddhism

We have all heard about meditation and/or contemplation in our everyday lives. But historically, what was it like to practice meditation in Chinese Buddhism? This course is a multi-dimensional introduction to Buddhist contemplative traditions as they were developed in China. It demystifies the hazy origin of meditation and allows a grasp of its practice in context through a series of thematic inquiries: what kind of Buddhist contemplative practices are there and how did they change over time; how was knowledge on the subject of meditation translated and transmitted in China; where did Chinese Buddhists learn to practice them and for what purpose; and what did they believe to be the relationship between meditation practice and supernatural powers? The insights we gain from the historical examination are also directed towards a renewed reflection of similar modern practices.