Buddhist Studies in Kyoto, Japan

 

"If you don't come out of this program with greater appreciation for life, compassion for others, and wisdom of your 'self', then you're probably a zombie."

- Justin Goudy, Indiana University

Program Description

The goal of the Buddhist Studies in Japan program is to introduce students to the history, doctrine, and diverse cultural expressions of Buddhism in Japan. Students have the opportunity to study Buddhist theory and participate in Buddhist meditative and chanting practices, as well as learn the Japanese language and explore their own academic interests through a directed research project. Participants spend the majority of their time in Japan living in Buddhist monasteries and temples. In this setting they gain firsthand experience of the Japanese Buddhist traditions of meditative Zen, esoteric Shingon, and faith-oriented True Pure Land (Shin) through daily life, ritual, and seminar.

Please visit the Antioch Buddhist Studies in Japan Video Collection, our Recent Student Comments page, and the AEA Buddhist Studies in Japan Photo Gallery.

Also, view the webpage of Buddhist Studies in Japan participant William J. Kawaihae for an in-depth student description of this unique program. Read on to find out more.

"The program was educational and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the Buddhist world in Japan in such an intimate way."

- Bethany Lauretano, Smith College

The city of Kyoto, the principal location, is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists throughout Japan. Over 2,000 Buddhist temples and monasteries have been established in Kyoto over the course of the last 1,500 years. In addition, there are several Buddhist universities in the city where male and female clerics, together with lay scholars, live and conduct research.

The program offers five courses:
1. Development and Doctrine of Buddhism in Japan
2. Japanese Buddhist Culture
3. Japanese Language (Elementary and Intermediate)
4. Practice and Theory of Buddhism in Japan (required)
5. Field Research: Selected Topics (required)

Students elect up to of four courses for a maximum of sixteen semester credits.

Students are encouraged to explore the subject of Japanese Buddhism from various points of view. Western academic models are used in the academic courses, while Buddhist teachings associated with the Zen, Shingon and True Pure Land (Shin) schools are exercised in the Practice and Theory of Buddhism course. As participant-observers, students are asked to examine their own cultural and intellectual assumptions as they pursue these studies in a challenging and supportive environment.

Lecturers in History, Religion, Art, Music, and Buddhist Studies from both American and Buddhist-affiliated Japanese universities, especially Kyoto's Ryukoku University, bring their expertise to the program.

"The meditation is superior. This is why I came."

- Jeff Silverman, American University

Students from a wide variety of schools have participated in the Buddhist Studies Program in Japan since it first began in 1999. A sampling of these institutions include: Amherst College, Barnard College (Columbia), DePauw University, Gustavus Adolphus College, Harvard College, Knox College, Macalester College, Northwestern University, Oberlin College, Rutgers University, Smith College, Swarthmore College, University of Hawaii, University of the Ozarks, Vassar College and Williams College.