Our Mission - Dharma Realm Buddhist University

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CONTINUE READING
“Fifth is the incense of liberated knowledge and
                                         understanding: this is just your own mind unaffected
                                         by anything good or bad, neither sinking into emptiness
                                         nor clinging to meditative stillness. Study extensively,
                                         be learned and well read; recognize your original mind
                                         and master the Buddhas’ teachings. Graciously welcome
                                         and get along with all creatures; have no notion of ‘self  ’
                                         and ‘other.’ Directly reach Bodhi, your unchanging true
                                         nature—this is called ‘the incense of liberated knowledge
                                         and understanding.’ ”
                                         —Dharma Jewel Platform Sūtra of the Sixth Patriarch

Our Mission
Dharma Realm Buddhist University is a community dedicated to liberal education in the
broad Buddhist tradition—a tradition characterized by knowledge in the arts and sciences,
self–cultivation, and the pursuit of wisdom. Its pedagogical aim is thus twofold: to convey
knowledge and to activate an intrinsic wisdom possessed by all individuals. Developing this
inherent capacity requires an orientation toward learning that is dialogical, interactive,
probing, and deeply self-reflective. Such education makes one free in the deepest sense and
opens the opportunity to pursue the highest goals of human existence.
Academic Calendar 2020–2021

FALL 2020
 July 24                           Last Day to Request Course Audit (For Fall 2020)
 August 3–7                        New Student Orientation
 August 6                          Fall Enrollment and Registration (For New Students Only)
 August 7                          Convocation
 August 10                         Fall Semester Begins
 September 7                       Labor Day (TBA)
 September 18                      Last Day to Request Spring 2020 Grade Change
 October 23                        Last Day to Petition to Return From Leave of Absence in Spring 2021
 November 2                        Senior Essay Proposal Due by 5pm
 November 6                        Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”
 November 6                        Last Day to Request Leave of Absence for Fall 2020
 November 13                       Returning Students are Registered for Spring 2021 Core Curriculum
 November 20                       Fall Instruction Ends
 November 26–27                    Thanksgiving
 November 30 – December 4          Fall Student Conferences
 December 4                        Last Day to Petition for Incomplete Grade
 December 4                        Last Day to Register for Language Course (For Spring 2021)
 December 4                        End of Fall Semester
 December 7 – January 17, 2021     Winter Break
 December 18                       Last Day to Submit Fall Semester Grades
 January 4                         Last Day to Turn in Work for Incomplete Grade (For Fall 2020)
 January 5                         Last Day to Request Course Audit (For Spring 2021)

SPRING 2021
Please visit https://www.drbu.edu/registrar/academic-calendar for the most up-to-date academic calendar.
Table of Contents

		          LIBERAL EDUCATION AT DRBU
  7         Introduction
  8         Toward a Classics Curriculum
  9         Learning Through Shared Inquiry
 10         Contemplative Exercises Immersion

		          BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL ARTS
 11         Curriculum
 13         Buddhist Classics
 15         Western Classics
 19         Indian Classics
 21         Chinese Classics
 23         Rhetoric and Writing
 24         Language
 26         Mathematics
 27         Natural Science
 29         Music
 30         BA Essays and Examinations
 31         Academic Standing for BA Students

		          MASTER OF ARTS IN BUDDHIST CLASSICS
 33         Curriculum
 41         MA Essays and Examinations
 41         Academic Standing for MA Students

 42         THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

		          ADMISSIONS
 43         Bachelor of Arts
 44         Master of Arts
 45         Tuition and Fees
 46         Financial Aid
 47         International Students

		          ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PRACTICES
 48  DRBU Educational Goals
 50  Statement of Academic Freedom
 50  Courses
 50		     Attendance Policy
 51		     Registering for Courses
 51		     Withdrawing from a Course
 52		     Refund Policy

                                                  DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog   3
52		     Repeating Courses
        52		     Part-Time Study
        53		     Auditing
        53  Essays and Examinations
        53		     Requirements for BA in Liberals Arts
        53			         BA Focus Strand Essays
        53			         Senior Essay and Oral Examinations
        54		     Requirements for MA in Buddhist Classics
        54			         MA Focus Strand Essays
        54  Evaluating Academic Performance
        54		     Student Conferences
        55		     Credit Hours
        55		     Grade Reports
        57		     Incomplete Grades
        57		     Experiential Learning Credits
        57		     Transfer Credits
        57		     Retention of Student Records
        57		     Transcripts & Degree Certificate
        58		     Academic Probation
        58		     Dismissal for Academic Reasons
        58		     Satisfactory Progress and Financial Aid
        59  Leave of Absence, Withdrawal and Readmission
        59		     Leave of Absence
        59		     Withdrawal from the University
        60		 Readmission
        60  Academic Integrity
        61  Cohort Mentors
        61  Symposium
        61  Academic Resource Center
        61		     Instructional Services
        61		     Career Services
        61		     Services for Students with Disabilities
        62		     Computer Services

     		                  CAMPUS LIFE
        63  Welcome to the DRBU Campus
        63		     A Community of Learning
        64		     A Community of Service
        64		     Environmental Responsibility
        64  Office of Campus Life
        65		     Residential Life
        65		     Dining Services
        65		     Service Scholarship
        65		     Student Activities
        66		     Health Services
        66		     Spiritual Life

4   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
67  Guidelines for Students
67		     Student Code of Conduct
68		     Housing Guidelines
68		     Community Consideration
69		     Grounds for Dismissal
70		     Conduct Process
70  Policy on Harassment
71  Notice of Non-Discrimination
71  Grievance Procedure
73  Health and Safety Information
73		     Campus Security
73		     Health Hazards
73			Asbestos
74			Black Widows
74			Poison Oak
74		     Disaster and Emergency Procedures
74			Earthquakes
75			         Fires
75			         Power Outages
75  Policy on Digital Devices in the Classroom
75  Policy on Compliance with Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)

77           FACULTY AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

		           APPENDICES
81           Directions and Maps
84           Useful University Contact Information
84           Emergency Numbers
85           Acknowledgments
85           Accreditation
86           Regulatory Information

                                                           DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog   5
“Education is without beginning or end.
  There is not a single location that is not a place of learning,
and there is not a single moment that is not a time for learning.”
       —Venerable Master Hsüan Hua, Founder of DRBU
Liberal Education at DRBU
                                                         providing them with the tools to gain self-knowledge.
INTRODUCTION
                                                         This in turn is based on the belief that students
Dharma Realm Buddhist University, founded in             possess a latent capacity for understanding and that
1976, is a small private school dedicated to liberal     education serves as a catalyst that helps precipitate
education in the broad Buddhist tradition—a              and release knowledge into active awareness.
tradition characterized by knowledge in the arts         Developing this inherent capacity requires an
and sciences, self-cultivation, and the pursuit of       orientation toward learning that is dialogical,
wisdom. DRBU aims at educating the whole person          interactive, probing, and deeply self-reflective.
and thus strives to nurture individuals who see
                                                         The foundational culture of the liberal arts instills
learning as a lifelong endeavor in the pursuit of
                                                         a breadth of learning that fosters sharp analysis,
knowledge, self-understanding, and the creative
                                                         sound judgment, and informed choices—essential
and beneficial application of that learning to every
                                                         qualities for becoming active, reflective, and
sphere of life.
                                                         responsible citizens of the world. It expands the
When universities were first created, they were          mind, stirs the heart, and inspires the soul. While
meant to embrace and portray an endless and vast         grounded in classical ideas, a liberal education
vision, an expanse that encompasses humanity and         fosters students who are at the same time acutely
stretches throughout the universe. That is why a         alive to and engaged with modern life. They bring
“university” is so named. The Buddhist phrasing          a nimble responsiveness to shifting possibilities in
for this notion of the universe is Dharma Realm,         an ever-changing and increasingly complex world.
while the word buddha simply means “awakening.”          They are confident, but not rigid, and have the
Hence, the name Dharma Realm Buddhist University         flexibility to constantly assess new and evolving
expresses an Eastern rendering of the same idea:         conditions, both inside and outside. Accordingly,
the university as a place devoted to understanding       they can reconsider, adjust, alter, or even abandon
ourselves, the nature of the wider universe and its      their course or stance.
workings, and our place in it.                           Liberally educated persons are able to appreciate
                                                         the unifying and complementary nature of the
DRBU is guided and informed by enduring
                                                         sciences, arts, and humanities across disciplines
hallmarks of a liberal arts education from both
                                                         and cultures. They can effectively integrate the
East and West, which holds self-knowledge rooted
                                                         intellectual, ethical, personal, and professional
in virtue as its basis, insight and goodness as its
                                                         dimensions of their lives into a meaningful whole.
outcomes, and benefiting others as its application.
                                                         This fundamental experience opens them to a
The university’s pedagogical aim is thus two-fold:
                                                         life of beauty, curiosity, accomplishment, and
to convey knowledge and to activate an intrinsic
                                                         continuing wonder. While the field of knowledge
wisdom possessed by all individuals. Such learning
                                                         over time has grown, the need for people to
goes to the heart of a liberal education. It makes one
                                                         ground themselves in the abiding sources of
free in the deepest sense, as it is a liberation born
                                                         human values and to keep an open mind at the
of disciplined self-mastery rather than from desires
                                                         same time remains unchanged—and is perhaps
unrestrained, and it opens up the opportunity to
                                                         more urgent than ever. Those capable of mastering
pursue the highest goals of human existence.
                                                         these two seemingly opposite approaches are the
At its best, liberal education properly conducted        rare individuals who bravely engage in the world
does not indoctrinate, but rather disentangles. It is    and benefit humanity no matter what profession
carried out not so much by filling students’ minds       they choose to practice. It is these individuals
with a prescribed body of knowledge and beliefs as by    whom DRBU seeks to nurture.

                                                                                  Liberal Education at DRBU   7
TOWARD A                                               These works do not so much impart “Truth”
                                                       as inspire a pursuit of truth—and convey the
CLASSICS CURRICULUM                                    methods, pitfalls, and excitement of that search.
For these reasons, at DRBU deep engagement with        They also remind us that genuine learning begins
primary texts from both East and West and an           with curiosity and is sustained by questions.
integrated approach to learning constitute the         Searching for answers often entails doubt and
core curriculum. The seminal and abiding works of      a healthy unsettledness. While the writers may
both provide a solid foundation for understanding      widely differ in views and beliefs, they share a
the ideas, values, and ethos that govern               common stance: earnestness for serious probing
contemporary life and shape the interconnected         and an uncommon quest for authenticity.
world in which we live. What have come to be
known as the “classics” represent humanity’s rich      To achieve the broad sweep of a liberal arts
legacy of thought, debate, and insight into the        education informed by traditions both East
abiding issues that confront humankind.                and West, DRBU extends the Western classics
                                                       legacy to include wisdom traditions of Asia. We
The seminal texts of both Eastern and Western          view these two approaches as complementary
traditions continue to shed light on the persisting    and mutually compatible, not as contradictory
inquiries, challenges, and possibilities of            opposites. Both aim at liberation and have at their
human existence. They come embedded with               base insights into human nature, the workings
sophisticated methods of deep questioning,             of causality, and the complex interconnections
testing, and affirming. The highest inspirations       between the individual, social, and natural
and cautionary limitations of the human condition      dimensions of existence. Together they offer
find their clearest and most thoughtful expression     multiple perspectives on the human condition
in these enduring works. Because they are both         in all its complexity, potential, nuance, and
timeless and timely, when engaged deeply through       diversity.
close reading, genuine discourse, and embodiment,
they tap into deeper sources that stimulate fresh
                                                       When their constitutive works are read deeply and
insights into our contemporary problems and into
                                                       studied slowly, they tell us not only who we were,
ourselves. Far from being outdated or impractical,
                                                       but provide fresh insights into who we are and
they are a bedrock that can provide students
                                                       might become. They retain a power to stimulate us
with a strong foundation for lifelong learning,
                                                       by calling our attention both to abiding patterns
discovery, and leadership in any field or specialty.
                                                       and to new possibilities. We maintain that this
                                                       potential for insight and meaning is not the
The classical sources that form the heart of a
                                                       limited domain of one tradition. Rather it belongs
liberal education are neither homogeneous
                                                       and pertains to any sincere and authentic body
nor monolithic. They encompass a diversity of
                                                       of thought that still retains its liveliness and
approaches and experiences. They cover a vast
                                                       purchase over centuries and millennia.
expanse of knowledge, questions, and ways of
knowing that bridge past and present and that
prepare students to engage the crucial issues of       At DRBU, classical texts are studied in integrated
the day and to thrive in a changing world.             curricula that weave together multiple curricular
                                                       strands. DRBU’s BA and MA programs are
    “People wish to be settled; only as far as they   integrated in that their curricular strands
      are unsettled is there any hope for them.”       are not stand-alone modules each advancing
                          —Ralph Waldo Emerson         a compartmentalized area of study, but are
                                                       intertwined threads (or ‘strands’) of a tightly

8   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
woven fabric that as a whole result in a unified and   Nor can teachers presume to be final authorities.
requisite set of knowledge and intellectual skills.    In this system of learning, teachers at best help
Therefore, each of DRBU’s programs has an all-         clarify the issues, demonstrate the methods,
required and sequentially-built curriculum. These      serve as sounding boards and mirrors that reflect,
characteristics invite students and professors         and thereby indirectly facilitate the student’s
to reference all other parts of the curriculum         own understanding. As faculty, they eschew the
pertinent to discussions and extend the circle of      more common role to “profess,” to interject their
their conversations beyond the classroom into          expertise, however well-intentioned. Instead,
other parts of their lives at DRBU.                    they allow for students to wonder, even to be a bit
                                                       bewildered, as they struggle to figure things out
Overall, an integrated curriculum centered on          for themselves.
classical sources continues to offer students
one of the best vehicles for stimulating the           Casting the teacher as a guide rather than a
qualities of intellect and character that we           director of the students’ learning process reflects
consider to be hallmarks of an educated person.        an ancient pedigree both East and West. Here,
Such individuals bring a probing examination           good teaching does not tell the students what they
to the present informed by a sense of the past.        need to have or know, but helps them explore
They are attentive to workings of causality            what it is that’s worth wanting, and important, to
and alert to connections among seemingly               know. The primary function of the teaching faculty
separate phenomena. Having explored diverse            and the university itself, then, is to encourage and
perspectives and insights into human nature,           assist students in the bittersweet task of answering
they are at ease in the wider world and able to        these important questions for themselves. This is
entertain ideas and outlooks other than their          what is meant by “self-cultivation.”
own. They exhibit a capacity for self-reflection
                                                       In other words, the individual student, each in
that refines their sense of ethical responsibility.
                                                       his or her own way, needs to question and be
The breadth of a liberal arts curriculum is
                                                       questioned. Neither the text, nor the teacher,
purposeful as it strives to develop a well-rounded
                                                       nor the student alone can presume to be “the
person whose appreciation of the natural world
                                                       measure of all things.” All three mutually sound
is enhanced by knowledge of science and the arts
                                                       and respond. All need to be actively present, yet
and who finds pleasure in art, music, and the
                                                       each must challenge and be challenged. The texts
aesthetic richness of life.
                                                       in conjunction with the curious student and gently
                                                       prodding teacher form a triangle of constructive
LEARNING THROUGH                                       tension, a delicate balance of “authorities” that

SHARED INQUIRY                                         together draw out latent knowledge into active
                                                       awareness.
While a direct encounter with primary texts is
essential for achieving these desired outcomes,        A dialectical discussion-driven instruction method
it is not in itself sufficient. Students’ dialogue     is designed to avoid predigested, passive learning,
with the demanding classical works can be one-         where the student is primarily concerned with
sided because the authors cannot furnish further       what he or she “needs to know for the test.”
clarification and arguments about what they            Instead, it is devised to stimulate thought, foster
wrote. Moreover, viewing students themselves           new ideas and insights, and create a living dialogue
as “authorities” begs the question raised by both      between the students and the texts. Such an
traditions: How does one know? What is required        open give and take allows students to reanimate
to truly “know thyself ”?                              classical texts and creatively bring them into a

                                                                               Liberal Education at DRBU     9
modern context. It is thus both an exercise in            CONTEMPLATIVE EXERCISES
intellectual freedom as well as a test to the claim
that these works resonate beyond borders of time
                                                          IMMERSION
and place.                                                   “Opening the mind; touching the spirit”

To summarize, the pedagogical goals—the                   Educating the whole person entails both
rationale for the texts, curricular strands, writing,     formal study and self-discovery, shared inquiry
discussion, supplementary lectures, laboratory            and self-understanding. The liberal arts are
materials, contemplative exercises, and language          meant to instruct and inspire. Descriptions
tutorials—all center on arriving at one outcome:          and prescriptions for such self-cultivation are
the students’ knowing for and through themselves.         found across classical texts. Whether explicitly
The text, teacher, and student form a triangular          or implicitly, these diverse authors invite and
relationship of inquiry where authority rests with        encourage the reader to seriously consider and
not one exclusively but through all in concert,           know for themselves what it means to be fully
even at times in tension. This pedagogy depends           human—intellectually, socially, aesthetically,
a great deal on the initiative and activity of the        emotionally, and spiritually. So, along with our
students for learning. With ardent and engaged            regular academic offerings, DRBU sets aside
students, the classroom atmosphere becomes                time each semester exclusively devoted to
catalytic, not didactic; teaching aims at drawing         contemplative study and practice.
out rather than pouring in.
                                                          During this time, students can unplug from their
The ultimate goal of such inquiry is to develop           ordinary routines to directly experience a variety
men and women who can stand on their own. By              of disciplined forms of self-reflection, centering
directly wrestling with the texts and, by extension,      practices, and more intuitive modes of knowing—all
their own thoughts, feelings, and tendencies, they        aimed at increasing a subtler awareness within and
acquire a hard-won confidence and clarity that            without: of oneself, and one’s place in the larger
serve as a foundation for engaging life to its fullest.   world. Classes and non-essential service scholar-
Amid all the conflicting desires and complex issues       ships are suspended so that students can get the
they will encounter, such individuals can discern,        most out of this important “laboratory” experience.
decide, and act upon what is true to themselves           Taken together the contemplative program—quiet
and responsible to others.                                reflection, training in meditation, mind-body inte-
                                                          gration, and retreat-like immersions—exists to more
In this way, the goal of a liberally educated person      fully delve into what it means to “know thyself.”
is exercised and exemplified in vivo, all along and
throughout their learning experience. We adhere           With guidance from classical texts and contem-
to the dictum “as you hope to arrive, so proceed.”        porary practitioners, the contemplative sessions
If the goal is responsible, thoughtful, and creative      offer DRBU students a chance and space to “look
citizens, then in their formative experience,             within”—to access and attend to their own hearts
students must learn how to take responsibility            and minds, and in so doing compass a profound free-
for their own development at every turn. The              dom to pursue the highest goals of human existence.
Buddhist view of a liberated and enlightened              This hands-on experiential learning can also open
individual and the Western view of a liberally            up fresh insights into what it means to be human,
educated and responsible person clearly align on          the workings of causality, and inspire new ways of
this goal. In both views, the individual is radically     imagining and engaging in the interconnected world
free and radically responsible.                           of ourselves, others, and the natural environment.

10   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
                                                        an original source can often trigger a reexamination
CURRICULUM
                                                        of assumptions and presuppositions—personal and
The University offers an integrated curriculum          cultural—about human nature and our place in the
that weaves together ten distinct strands:              world. A focus on classical texts can thus provide a
Buddhist Classics, Western Classics, Indian             foundation for a lifelong pursuit of learning, ever-
Classics, Chinese Classics, Language, Mathematics,      deepening inquiry, and self-reflection.
Natural Science, Rhetoric and Writing, Music,           Language learning, especially in the source
and Capstone. The core curriculum consists of           languages of primary texts, supports deeper
primary texts—Buddhist, Western, Indian, and            appreciation for and closer interpretation of
Chinese Classics—studied and discussed in a pro-        original meanings. Mathematics, a symbolic
seminar setting, conducted in the spirit of shared      language for reading and describing the natural
interpretive inquiry. Through a close reading of        world, forms a necessary complement to a deeper
primary classics, students are able to enter into       understanding of Natural Science, both as a
the dynamic dialogues from which many of these          universal discipline of empirical inquiry and a
texts emerged. They engage the material more            particular way of knowing. Music provides access
intimately, as if sitting as participant-observers in   to aesthetic sensibility, yet another essential
discourses that stimulated critical inquiry and self-   language through which ideas, insights, purpose,
reflection then and reanimate it now.                   and values are discovered and conveyed.

The lively and trenchant quality of a classic text      Regardless of the subject matter, all classes aim
connects students not only to the “voice” and           to encourage and guide students in their efforts
energy of the author, but often also invigorates        to activate their inherent wisdom and capacity
them to reexamine their own capacities, goals,          for direct and personal understanding. To this
questions, and concerns. The direct encounter with      end, students and faculty interact closely as they

                                                                           Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts   11
mutually explore through dialogue and discourse.                 informed discussion on vital issues of our time,
Discussion is intended to create a lively yet                    and form considered opinions on emerging trends
respectful atmosphere in which to clarify, present,              in the fields of science, technology, education, and
exchange, and challenge ideas. Such thoughtful                   public policy. Overall, they will be ready to play a
exchange is enhanced by training in the art of                   meaningful role in society and to enjoy a life that
thinking, writing, and speaking effectively—the                  is purposeful, productive, and humane.
aim of the Rhetoric and Writing strand.
                                                                 Course Requirements
Graduates of this program acquire a breadth of                   The undergraduate program consists of 120
knowledge, intellectual skills, habits of mind, and              semester units, with courses from ten strands. The
ethical sensibilities that are essential to success              following table illustrates the number of semester
in almost any endeavor. They are equipped to                     units required from each strand over four years.
be active, thoughtful, and caring citizens of the
larger world and smaller communities to which                    The course code is italicized in the table below.
they belong. They might enrich their lives with                  Each course is designated by a 4-letter program
appreciation of one or more of the arts, engage in               code, followed by a 3-digit course code. The LIBA

                          YEAR 1                  YEAR 2                  YEAR 3                  YEAR 4
                                                                                                                 UNITS/
 STRAND            Fall        Spring      Fall        Spring      Fall        Spring      Fall        Spring    STRAND

 Buddhist        LIBA 111                LIBA 211                LIBA 311                LIBA 411                 16 units
 Classics        4 units                 4 units                 4 units                 4 units

 Western                      LIBA 121                LIBA 221                LIBA 321                LIBA 421    16 units
 Classics                     4 units                 4 units                 4 units                 4 units

 Indian                                  LIBA 231     LIBA 232                           LIBA 431                 12 units
 ­Classics                               4 units      4 units                            4 units

 Chinese         LIBA 131     LIBA 132                                        LIBA 331                            12 units
 Classics        4 units      4 units                                         4 units

 Rhetoric and    LIBA 141     LIBA 142                                                   LIBA 441     LIBA 442    10 units
 Writing         3 units      3 units                                                    1 units      3 units

 Language        LIBA 151     LIBA 152   LIBA 251     LIBA 252   LIBA 351
                 4 units      4 units    4 units      4 units    4 units
                    or           or         or           or         or                                            20 units*
                 LIBA 161     LIBA 162   LIBA 261     LIBA 262   LIBA 361
                 4 units      4 units    4 units      4 units    4 units

 Mathematics                             LIBA 271     LIBA 272   LIBA 371                                         12 units
                                         4 units      4 units    4 units

 Natural                                                         LIBA 372     LIBA 373   LIBA 471                 12 units
 Science                                                         4 units      4 units    4 units

 Music                                                                        LIBA 381                LIBA 481     6 units
                                                                               3 unit                  3 unit

 Capstone                                                                                LIBA 491     LIBA 492     4 units
                                                                                         2 units      2 units

 UNITS/         15 units      15 units   16 units     16 units   16 units     15 units   15 units     12 units   120 units
 SEMESTER

 *Students have the option to choose either Sanskrit and/or Classical Chinese to fulfill 20 units of Language.

12   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
program code indicates courses offered in the           critical discipline of inquiry—one characterized by
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts program. The first     rigorous probing, radical questioning, and careful
digit of the 3-digit course code indicates the year     analysis of both the subject and object of study.
in which the course is taken, the second digit          This integration of the personal and philosophical
indicates the strand to which the course belongs,       seeks to harness knowledge with virtue and to
and the third digit indicates the sequence in which     guide action with insight.
the course is taken.
                                                        In the Buddhist Classics strand, the emphasis is
Buddhist Classics                                       placed on studying Buddhism not merely as an
On the eve of his passing, the Buddha instructed        historical event, but as a living philosophy and
his students to take as their next “teacher” not an     embodied discipline. Students learn about, from,
individual, but “the teachings”—the philosophy          and through the texts. This “laboratory” approach
and practices leading to self-knowledge and a clear     allows students to test theoretical soundness
understanding of the nature of reality. This vast       with an experiential index and to appreciate the
body of knowledge, initially passed along in an         Buddhist way from a vantage point within, rather
oral tradition, gradually coalesced into a collection   than at a sterile remove from that tradition.
of works known as the Dharma and Vinaya—the
Buddhist classics.                                      Freshman Year (LIBA 111)
                                                        The freshman year readings focus on the
The use of the two terms Dharma and Vinaya              philosophical and particular phenomenological
rather than the single term philosophy highlights       origins of the Buddha’s teachings. Despite their
the central defining feature of these works: the        antiquity, these teachings seem to retain a lively
dynamic fusion of theory and praxis. Because the        relevance in modern times and across cultures.
“study of” and “doing of” philosophy mutually           Students consider and explore the existential
respond, the Buddhist classics were not intended        concerns and conditions that prompted the
merely as abstract doctrinal expositions of ready-      Buddha’s own spiritual journey. The first year’s
made knowledge. Rather, they were meant to both         themes thus center on basic questions and issues
inform and form, to explain and engage. Overall,        concerning the individual living the examined life:
they aim to stimulate a dialogue with oneself that      identity, belonging, and alienation; the quest for
encompasses the intellect, imagination, sensibility,    knowledge and certainty in a contingent universe;
and will; together this dialogue is known as “self-     doubt, meaning, and purpose; mortality and its
cultivation.”                                           implications; conditioned existence; inspirations for
                                                        and alternatives to the spiritual path; and liberation,
                                                        self-determination, and potentials for freedom.
The Buddha once compared these teachings in
self-cultivation to a vast ocean: “Just as the great
ocean has one taste, the taste of salt, so also this    The year begins with the study of sacred texts
Dharma and Vinaya has one taste, the taste of           from the Pāli canon, including selections from the
liberation.” The texts thus pose questions rather       five Nikāyas, and transitions into Mahāyāna texts
than dictate answers. How does each individual          such as the Sixth Patriarch Sūtra, the Vimalakīrti
construct a world of meaning, and how can that          Sūtra, and The Sutra in Forty-two Sections.
world be transformed and deepened into a site of
liberation? The freeing up and broadening of the        Sophomore Year (LIBA 211)
human spirit to pursue such questions was the           In the sophomore year, the readings shift
original intent of the Buddhist classics and the        students’ field of inquiry from the personal to the
continuing purpose for studying them now.               social. They move from the solitary individual
The texts come embedded with a systematic and           dimension to probe into those larger patterns,

                                                                            Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts   13
shared structures, and determining factors that             learning experience. Buddhist texts were designed
shape the more universal human condition. The               and used both to convey knowledge and guide
texts highlight recurring patterns and universal            practice. As such they can serve as laboratory guides
elements that appear common to all humanity and             for deepening understanding and appreciation of
that in large measure frame our lives. The core             the material. This laboratory approach activates
themes and topics transition from the personal              and engages the key modes of learning—cognitive,
existential questions to the Buddha’s description of        experiential, abstract, kinesthetic—into an
deeply ingrained tendencies common to all living            integrated experience. Students are invited to
beings, habituation, the range and variety of paths         investigate the nature of compassion, its role in
of existence along this continuum, the primacy of           spiritual practice, and its connection with insight,
the “mind” and intentionality, the mechanism of             and the role of precepts and spiritual practice.
causality that underlies all phenomena, nonduality
and its implications, and the ideas of innate               Readings include the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, biographies
potential or inherent capacity for wisdom and               and autobiographies of eminent Buddhist prac-
compassion shared by all living beings.                     titioners, Awakening of Faith in the Mahāyāna, and
                                                            Nāgārjuna’s Bodhisaṃbhāra Śāstra (The Treatise on
Key texts include the Lotus Sūtra, the Longer               the Provisions for Enlightenment).
Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra (Infinite Life Sūtra), selected
passages from the Avataṃsaka Sūtra, the Essay on            Senior Year (LIBA 411)
the Resolve for Bodhi, the Heart Sūtra, the Vajra Sūtra,    The themes of the final year explore the
the Shastra on the Door to Understanding a Hundred          pinnacle, or more comprehensive and inclusive
Dharmas, and Ārya Nāgārjuna’s Letter to a Friend.           philosophy, of Buddhism: the dynamic and
                                                            complex interconnectivity and interdependence
Junior Year (LIBA 311)                                      of noumena and phenomena. Students read texts
In the junior year, students address the pragmatic          that describe the overarching “oneness” of the
and applied aspects woven in and throughout                 nature of reality (the Dharma-realm) as well as the
the texts. The focus turns from the descriptive             mentality and methods to “enter” or comprehend
to the prescriptive to examine the methods—                 it. Central to this broad embrace is the
moral, intellectual, aesthetic, contemplative,              paradigmatic Bodhisattva ideal—an individual who
and behavioral—outlined in the texts for “doing             is engaged in the world but not of the world, who
philosophy” in the Buddhist tradition. Students             liberates him- or herself while liberating others,
explore the particular ways in which theory and             and whose defining qualities are compassion,
praxis interact to allow for a more direct and total        kindness, joy, and equanimity.

BUDDHIST CLASSICS SAMPLE READING LIST
Dīgha Nikāya                             The Sūtra in Forty-two Sections      Vasubandhu, Shastra on the Door
Majjhima Nikāya                          Śūraṅgama Sūtra                          to Understanding a Hundred
Saṃyutta Nikāya                          Huineng, Sixth Patriarch Sūtra           Dharmas
Aṅguttara Nikāya                         Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra          Nāgārjuna, Bodhisaṃbhāra Śāstra,
Khuddaka Nikāya                          Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra                    Letter to a Friend
Visuddhimagga                            Avataṃsaka Sūtra                     Biographies of great Buddhist
Vimalakīrti Sūtra                        Aśvaghoṣa, Awakening of Faith in         monastic practitioners
Heart Sūtra                                   the Mahāyāna
Vajra Sūtra                              Xingan, Essay on the Resolve for
Lotus Sūtra                                   Bodhi

14   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
Students are encouraged to consider their             understand the frames of reference and paradigms
education not as an end, but as the first step of     that shape their interpretive faculties. They are
a lifelong journey of learning, critical inquiry,     also better equipped to understand their own
cultivation of their character and mind, and          reactions to circumstances at play: an interplay of
service to society. This returns to and highlights    the personal, natural, and social worlds.
the institution’s vision: a liberal education is
learning that integrates all aspects of life. It is   The Western Classics curriculum provides
characterized by a continuous sense of wonder;        students with interdisciplinary perspectives on
an ability to weigh, reflect, and wisely act even     the important questions that have long intrigued
when faced with ambiguity; and a spirit that looks    human beings: What is meaningful about being
forward to a life of limitless possibilities.         human? What does it mean to live a meaningful
                                                      life? How we can learn to construct meaning for
The focal texts of the fourth year are the            ourselves in this modern age? Students become
Avataṃsaka Sūtra and the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra.       acquainted with the works of great authors and
The scope and aim of both are expansive and           thinkers who have grappled with these vital
holistic. They stress an engaged liberation that      questions. By integrating literature, philosophy,
sees a good life as the total interpenetration of     religion, economics, and politics, the curriculum is
learning and action, self with others, and the        designed to enable students to develop analytical
human and natural world.                              and expressive skills; their ability to read, write,
                                                      and think clearly; and cultivate an appreciation
                                                      of the original sources and their role in shaping
Western Classics
                                                      modern societies.
The Western traditions are at the heart of
many important political, economic, and social        The major focus of the Western Classics strand is to
transformations that have helped create the           take the student through a personal encounter with
modern world. To understand these important           seminal thinkers through the use of primary texts
influences is indispensible to DRBU’s liberal         as sources of inquiry and insight. From a Western
arts education. Exposure to Western philosophy        perspective, this means establishing grounds of
and literature aims to empower the student to         authority for truth and knowledge. The pursuit of

                                                                         Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts   15
16   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
truth in the West is one of the most emphasized foci
in this tradition. Understanding the development
of knowledge over time, with philosophers and
thinkers in dialogue with each other and building
on the foundations that precede them, aims to
enable the student to identify the dialectical nature
and evolution of Western thought.

Central to DRBU’s education is the idea that there
are a multitude of approaches to the foundational
questions that contribute to a liberally educated
person. Western approaches to these questions
generally examine ideas such as freedom,
responsibility, and rationality. These have certain
similarities with Eastern and Buddhist approaches
yet differ from both in important respects. In
offering the Western Classics strand, DRBU              implications of Western philosophy. Such exposure
expects each student to have an understanding           is crucial to an understanding of the self in the
of some of the ways in which Western thinkers           current Western culture and context and also
have effectively approached these issues so that        enables the student to translate and interpret the
the student will be able to not only invoke these       Eastern traditions through the lenses of Western
ideas in their own lives, but also in conversation      interpretive constructs. This background introduces
with Eastern ways of thought. Just as there is an       the student to a diversity of approaches. This
expectation that students will have a solid grasp       diversity provides the student with an array of
of the methodologies and approaches in Buddhist         creative alternatives, both personally and socially,
and Eastern texts, so the student will have a           to face what it means to be part of the modern
clear understanding of the dominant themes and          world in all its complexity.
methodologies that emerge from Western sources.
                                                        Freshman Year (LIBA 121)
The differences between these approaches are            Freshman semester of the Western Classics
important to identify and explore. These include        strand is devoted to a study of ancient philosophy
differing characterizations of human nature,            and literature. The year begins with the Epic of
society, causality, freedom, responsibility, and our    Gilgamesh. The focus then turns to Homer’s Odyssey,
relationship to nature and nonhuman life. While         which is considered among the most fundamental
the Buddhist, Indian, and Chinese Classics strands      works of literature in the Western tradition.
provide the student with invaluable approaches to       Students read plays by Aeschylus and Sophocles,
understanding notions such as freedom, causality,       followed by excerpts from the Hebrew Bible. The
and theories of social interconnectedness, the          focus shifts to careful reading of Plato and Aristotle,
Western philosophical tradition lays down equally       whose work forms the foundation of year one.
solid foundations and frameworks in which to
analyze and express many facets of modern life.         Sophomore Year (LIBA 221)
                                                        Sophomore semester focuses on significant
The Western strand is indispensable to DRBU’s           philosophical and religious literature, including
mission, which is to equip the student with all         the ancient Stoics, the New Testament, and the
the necessary skills for understanding and coping       works of Plotinus, Augustine, St. Anselm, Aquinas,
with life in the emerging modern world. Central         and Maimonides. Students also read principal
to this goal is an understanding of the roots and       contributors to Western literature, including

                                                                            Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts   17
Nietzsche, and Spinoza. Equal attention is given to
                                                         foundation developments in modern ethical theory,
                                                         with its utilitarianism (embodied by the works of
                                                         Bentham and Mill), and Kantian ethics. The newly
                                                         emerging economic theory (along with its critics)
                                                         is explored through the works of Smith and Marx.
                                                         Literature focuses on the works of Austen, Eliot,
                                                         Kafka, Milton, Molière, Racine, Shelley, Thoreau,
                                                         Twain, and Voltaire. The poetry of Baudelaire, Poe,
                                                         Whitman, and Wordsworth is studied, analyzed,
                                                         and interpreted. Art of the period introduces the
                                                         aesthetic dimension as both a reflection of and lens
                                                         into the larger currents of thought.
Virgil, Dante, Chaucer, Rabelais, Cervantes, and
Montaigne. Special attention is given to the works       Senior Year (LIBA 421)
of Shakespeare. Political theory is examined             Senior semester turns to the major figures of the
through the works of Hobbes, Machiavelli,                modern and late-modern Western intellectual
and Rousseau. The revolutionary period of the            tradition. The semester begins with the
Renaissance is explored through a combined               formative works of Freud, Jung, Hegel, Heidegger,
emphasis on literature, poetry, and art. Sophomore       Husserl, Kierkegaard, de Beauvoir, Sartre, and
students turn to increasingly humanistic questions.      Wittgenstein. The evolving economic models and
Different ways to understand the individual, social,     their implications are highlighted with the works
and natural dimensions of life are a major focus         of Friedman and Keynes. Modern ethical theory
of inquiry and discussion. The curriculum for            and the alternatives it provides to utilitarianism
the sophomore year strives to provide a careful          and Kantian ethics are explored, including virtue
treatment of the way in which the roots of ancient       ethics, feminist ethics, and ethics of care. A wide
philosophy and literature, which students read as        variety of literature is offered, including Camus,
freshmen, find new life in these works.                  Conrad, Dostoevsky, Faulkner, Flaubert, Goethe,
                                                         Mann, Melville, Tolstoy, and Woolf. Modern poetry
Junior Year (LIBA 321)                                   and art are also introduced and explored.
Junior semester of the Western Classics strand
turns to the enormous paradigm shifts initiated          Overall, the intention of the Western Classics
by the work of Descartes. Major figures of this era      strand is to introduce students to the richness
are read closely and in depth, with a concentration      and diversity of the Western tradition, to discern
on the writings of Hume, Kant, Locke, Leibniz,           the connections it holds for ideas and events, and

WESTERN CLASSICS SAMPLE READING LIST
Epic of Gilgamesh                    Shakespeare, King Lear               Smith, Wealth of Nations
Homer, Iliad                         Descartes, Meditations               Freud, Civilization and Its
Sophocles, Antigone                  Hume, Treatise of Human Nature           Discontents
Plato, Timaeus                       Spenser, Faerie Queen                Heidegger, Being and Time
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics        Austen, Sense and Sensibility        Hegel, Phenomenology of the Spirit
Virgil, Aeneid                       Emerson, Self-Reliance               Dostoevsky, The Brothers
New Testament                        Thoreau, Civil Disobedience              Karamazov
Augustine, Confessions               Eliot, Middlemarch                   Goethe, Faust
Dante, Divine Comedy                 Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson    Tocqueville, Democracy in America

18   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
to explore its contribution to understanding and      in Indian classics will culturally contextualize
illuminating the primary themes that are threaded     Indian Buddhism and the classical literature
through DRBU’s educational goals.                     comprising religiously diverse themes.

Indian Classics                                       Through close reading of primary texts, students
India is home to one of the earliest records of       will consider issues fundamental to Indian systems
human wisdom, meticulously preserved and              of thought. For example, what is the influence
passed down orally for thousands of years before      of past karmic tendencies (saṃskāras) on present
being committed to writing. The Vedas, meaning        moment experience? What is the relationship
knowledge, document the insight of the ancient        between language and reality? What kind of
ṛṣis, those who could directly see reality for what   behavior is socially responsible? Students will
it is. The Vedic corpus has always been venerated     read Indian insights into causation, human nature,
for the probing vision of the seers, and yet the      and the goals of human life (puruṣārtha). They
exposition of Indian wisdom has evolved over          will explore South Asian perspectives on religious
time in response to changing historical and           thought and practice, the structure of the human
cultural conditions as well as human receptivity.     mind and perception, paths to liberation, and
As a result, Indian classical texts present a rich    limitations to infinite freedom. Through their
compendium of approaches to the age-old               engagement with the texts, students will grapple
questions of what it means to be human and to live    with the perennial riddles of existence and human
a fulfilled life in society.                          potential.

In India, philosophy is called darśana (seeing)       The Indian Classics Strand enables students to
because it is the distinct product of the seeing or   develop a sincere appreciation for texts, while
understanding of the ancient sages who dedicated      at the same time encouraging them to critically
their lives to observing the world and how their      evaluate the ideas presented. Following Indian
minds form an understanding of it. Classical          tradition, no views are to be accepted unless the
Indian thinkers expounded elaborate theories of       students’ direct experience corroborates what they
an unconscious, the causal basis of the mind, a       read. By understanding the texts in the spirit of
cyclical process of time and history, as well as a    transformation intended by their authors, students
unitary, limitless source for all life. The diverse   will develop the capacity to see the world through
schools of thought—from the Upaniṣads and             a traditional Indian perspective.
Sāṃkhya to the contemporary social philosophy of
Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi—offer            In the course of a year, the Indian Classics strand
students compelling descriptions of the human         aims to lead students not only in discovering
condition, not to mention vestiges of the stirring    the content of particular knowledges spanning
debates that ensued between schools. Proficiency      the history of Indian literature, but also in

 SAMPLE FRESHMAN SCHEDULE
                     MONDAY            TUESDAY        WEDNESDAY          THURSDAY             FRIDAY

 8:00–10:00 AM       Chinese           Buddhist       Chinese            Buddhist
                     Classics          Classics       Classics           Classics

 12:30–2:00 PM       Language          Rhetoric and   Language           Rhetoric and         Language
                                       Writing                           Writing

 2:00–3:30 PM        Language                         Language                                Language

                                                                          Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts   19
generating the confidence to apply their skills          In the third semester, texts from other major
to contemporary discourses. Through their                Indian religious traditions will be read and
encounter with Indian philosophical systems,             discussed, such as Jainism, Śāktism, Śaivism, and
students will explore the concept of self, the           Sufism (although many practitioners of Sufism
process of knowing and experiencing the world,           maintain it is not a religion).
and the nature and function of knowledge.
Reading classical Indian literature will contribute      In semester one, students will read selections from
to the students’ ability to live responsibly,            Vedic literature, including the Vedas, Brāhmaṇas,
think critically, value diverse perspectives, and        and Upaniṣads, focusing on creation myths, unity
troubleshoot from multiple vantage points.               and multiplicity, religious practice, self-realization,
                                                         and concepts of the absolute, death, and desire.
Sophomore & Senior Year (LIBA 231, 232, 431)             Students will also read from at least one school
In the first semester, students will read a              of Vedic exegesis, such as Vedānta. Students will
sampling of early Indian philosophy. Beginning           then read Sāṃkhya, and Yoga philosophies, and
with selections of Vedic literature, students will       framing passages from the epic Mahābhārata and
proceed to read from at least one school that            its Bhagavadgītā. Through these texts, students will
interprets the Vedas to consider philosophical           take up questions about the goals of human life,
and exegetical responses to these texts. Students        nonviolence, a steady mind, and nonattachment.
will read the texts in this order because the later
texts assume prior familiarity with earlier ones.        In semester two, students will read classical
In addition to Vedic literature, students will           Indian poetry, drama, and prose literature,
read from the epic Mahābhārata, of which the             which build on the philosophies studied in
Bhagavadgītā forms a part, and its philosophical         the previous semester. After reading passages
underpinnings. Passages from modern Indian texts         from the epics—the Mahābhārata and Vālmīki’s
by Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi will             Rāmāyaṇa—students will read theater masterpieces,
also be read in order to show that classical texts,      such as Kālidāsa’s Recognition of Śakuntalā and
adapted for modern times, are still living traditions    Bhavabhūti’s Rāma’s Last Act, the plots of which
in Indian society.                                       were adapted from these two epic tales. Prompted
                                                         by the entertaining medium of performance, the
In the second semester, the philosophical notions        class will further explore enduring questions on
introduced in the first semester will be explored        the human condition, social duty, and devotion,
through classical Indian literature. Building            before turning to poetry and doing a close reading
on the cultural understanding of philosophical           of texts like Aśvaghoṣa’s finest work, Handsome
texts, classical poetry, prose, and drama will be        Nanda. These Hindu and Buddhist literary works
read to survey the development of ideas over             investigate the psychological influences of past
time. The journey across India’s classical literary      karmic impressions, enslavement to desire,
masterpieces is undertaken for the sake of the           human relationships, and the social conduct of an
students’ own self-reflection and transformation.        exemplary man.

INDIAN CLASSICS SAMPLE READING LIST
Vedas                                 The Rāmāyaṇa by Vālmīki              Devī Māhātmya
Upadeśasāhasrī by Śrī                 Rāma’s Last Act by Bhavabhūti        Paramārthasāra by Abhinavagupta
     Śaṅkarācārya                     The Recognition of Śakuntalā by      The Enclosed Garden of the Truth by
Swami Vivekananda                          Kālidāsa                             Hakim Sanai
Yogasūtra by Patañjali                Handsome Nanda by Aśvaghoṣa          Kabir
The Mahābhārata and Bhagavadgītā      Ācārāṅgasūtra                        Hazrat Inayat Khan

20   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
In semester three, students will explore a range           tradition of classical literature confronts issues
of religious traditions from a broadly conceived           of universal human concern: What is the ideal of
Subcontinent. Students will discuss key ideas from         a good person? What does it mean to live a good
Jain, Goddess, Śaiva, and Islamic traditions, such as      life? What are the virtues? How can we achieve
ahiṃsā (non-injury), śakti (energy), the true Self,        personal transformation? How should we relate to
­nature, and harmony. The texts range from ancient         other people as well as to the natural world? How
 to contemporary times and investigate the individu-       should we face death?
 al’s place in the larger whole. A fascinating spiritual
 tradition which extends from Turkey in the west           Through careful study of classic texts, students
 to Iran, Afghanistan, and India in the east—Sufism        become familiar with a range of Chinese answers
 includes some of the greatest poetry the world has        to these pressing questions. Students will
 produced. The poetry of a few of these great Sufis        familiarize themselves with concepts such as
 will comprise the bulk of the third semester read-        the Dao, the Sage, the Exemplary Person (junzi),
 ing, though there is also some wonderful prose.           methods of self-cultivation, the significance of
                                                           ritual, and other important ideas through which
Chinese Classics                                           Chinese thinkers have framed and debated the
                                                           most basic of human questions. Through the
The Chinese Classics strand focuses on giving
                                                           process of close reading, students develop the
students a personal encounter with seminal
                                                           ability to take on different perspectives and to
Chinese thinkers using primary texts as sources
                                                           recommend, adjust, alter, and even abandon a
of inquiry and insight. As one of the oldest
                                                           previous position or stance.
civilizations in the world, China’s longstanding

                                                                              Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts   21
This strand invites students to explore China’s       students with fundamental skills for active
formative thinkers and dominant modes of              participation as global citizens.
thought through the exploration of significant
philosophical, literary, and aesthetic works.         Freshman Year (LIBA 131 & 132)
Students will be introduced to a wide repertoire      This first year of the Chinese Classics strand is
of literary genres as they progress through the       ­devoted to a study of the classic texts of early
strand: poetry, essays, philosophical works,           ­China. Students begin their investigation of
historical writing, hagiography, short stories,         Chinese thought through a close reading of the
novels, as well as ritual and divinatory texts.         Analects of Confucius, taking a brief look at one of
Through reading these foundational texts, students      his adversaries, the philosopher Mozi, and then
witness the development of Chinese thought over         moving on to the writings of Mencius, Confucius’
time and experience firsthand the dialogues and         most famous student. Next, students delve deeply
debates between different texts and thinkers.           into two Daoist classics, the Daodejing, a text
                                                        in verse form that has been translated into as
In a tradition where classics were so deeply            many languages as the Bible, and the Zhuangzi, a
revered that entry into the literati class required     collection of stories and essays by China’s famous
mastery of and extensive examinations on a              Daoist sage. Students then return to the Confucian
classical canon, the development and exchange           debate through an investigation of the Xunzi,
of ideas in China invariably built upon mastery         which expands on Confucius’s ideas but in ways
of foundational classical texts. Furthermore,           significantly different from Mencius. Finally,
familiarity with the Chinese context is aimed           students explore the social and political theories
at deepening students’ understanding of the             of the last major thinker of the pre-Qin period,
evolution of Buddhism as it traveled from India to      Hanfeizi.
China, where it both profoundly influenced and
was in turn deeply transformed by native Chinese      Interspersed among the philosophical readings
thought. Through deep investigation of a diverse      above, selections from the Five Classics will also
range of Chinese classics, students develop their     be analyzed and discussed. These include the
ability to read, write, and think clearly.            Shijing (Odes), the earliest collection of poetry in
                                                      China; the Shujing (Documents), and the Chunqiu
The Chinese Classics strand is crucial to DRBU’s      (Spring and Autumn Annals), two early historical
mission, which is to equip students with the          works; the three Rites Canons, consisting of the Yili
necessary skills for understanding and coping         (Ceremonials), the Zhouli (Zhou Rites), and the Liji
with life in our increasingly globalized and          (Rites Records); as well as the Yijing (The Changes),
multi-cultural world. The complex understanding
that comes from the investigation of the central
philosophical, literary, and aesthetic works of
China provides students with an increased range
of resources with which to address pressing
questions in their own lives. Furthermore, by
devoting significant attention to a non-Western
culture, students gain the ability to appreciate
a diversity of worldviews and understand the
challenges—as well as the necessity—of being able
to communicate and translate between different
languages and cultures. Through grounding
students in an understanding of the seminal texts
of China, the Chinese Classics strand provides

22   DRBU 2020–2021 Catalog
a significant divinatory text. As some of the               Yi, Zhu Xi, Lu Xiangshan, and Wang Yangming.
earliest Chinese writings, the Five Classics are            Students delve deeply into two chapters of the
truly foundational in the sense that they are the           Liji—the Daxue (The Great Learning) and Zhongyong
building blocks upon which later intellectual and           (Doctrine of the Mean)—which become canonized in
literary writings are based. An understanding of            the Song dynasty as two of the Four Books required
these texts is crucial to comprehending almost all          for exam candidates (along with the Analects and
later Chinese thought.                                      Mencius).

Junior Year (LIBA 331)
                                                            Rhetoric and Writing
The third semester of the Chinese Classics
strand focuses on significant works of literature,          Essential to the DRBU curriculum is an emphasis on
philosophy, and religion from the Han through               writing. The ability to write is not viewed merely
Ming dynasties. Building on their understanding             as a skill, but is instead considered integral to the
of early Chinese classics, students can see how             ability to think clearly and critically. With this
the arrival of Buddhism begins to influence the             in mind, attention to writing is embedded in all
development of Chinese worldviews and practices.            courses. All instructors will implement current
The year opens with an examination of the Han               writing pedagogy with an eye toward the way in
dynasty syncretic work, the Huainanzi, which                which reading, class discussion, and clear thinking
takes elements from texts the students have read            are enhanced and articulated in the writing process.
the previous year and uses them to create what it
claims to be a superior and comprehensive view              Freshman Year (LIBA 141 & 142)
on the world and governing. Students then turn              Senior Year (LIBA 441 & LIBA 442)
to selections from important writings from the              Two courses will be dedicated in the freshman
Han dynasty such as the Shiji (Records of the Grand         year to ensure that by the end of the first year all
Historian).                                                 students have met basic criteria for college-level
                                                            writing. These abilities are practiced and refined
A selection of poetries is offered, including Six           throughout the four-year program and culminate
Dynasties poems by Tao Yuanming and the Seven               in a senior essay, written under the careful
Sages of the Bamboo Grove, as well as Tang dynasty          guidance of a faculty member. Students take two
verses by Wang Wei, Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Zhuyi,               courses in the senior year that are designed to
Hanshan, and others. Essays by writers such as Han          provide instruction and resources to complete
Yu and Ouyang Xiu are examined before the class             their senior essays. A tutoring program will be
turns to major Neo-Confucian thinkers of the Song           available for any students requiring or requesting
and Ming dynasties, including Zhang Zai, Cheng              additional support for their writing.

CHINESE CLASSICS SAMPLE READING LIST
Confucius, Analects                  Shijing (Odes)                           Tang Poetry
Mozi                                 Shujing (Documents)                      Daxue (Great Learning)
Mencius                              Yijing (The Changes)                     Zhongyong (Doctrine of the Mean)
Daodejing                            Xiaojing (Classic on Family              Zhang Zai, Western Inscription
Zhuangzi, Inner Chapters                  Reverence)                          Zhuxi
Xunzi                                Huainanzi                                Wang Yangming, Instructions for
Han Feizi                            Sima Qian, Shiji (Records of the            Practical Living
                                          Grand Historian)

                                                                                Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts   23
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