Do these traits represent a departure from tradition and if so, how?
InstructionsFind a living or recent figure of Buddhist authority. You can use the different databases on contemporary Buddhism provided below or decide to explore the example behind one of our weekly meditation challenges—however, not the life histories we already explored in our lecture modules and/or tutorials. You may especially choose to explore the many cases of female masters active around the world today. Your task is to critically assess the religious background and activity of the teacher, and how his/her activity are related to the different discourses on global Buddhism (“activity” = the religious tasks the master is engaged in: rituals and ceremonies, giving talks on Buddhist topics, founding and guiding Buddhist centres or networks of centres, guiding disciples, interacting with the public on religious topics, etc.).In other words, the key question for this assignment is:What kind of Buddhism is this teacher teaching and endorsing?Explain how the teacher’s background relates to traditional Buddhism. Do they have the credentials to be seen as an authority within their Buddhist school or lineage? What kind of religious training did they receive to become an authority? Can you recognize any modernist elements in their activity? Do these traits represent a departure from tradition and if so, how? Express your appraisal or critique of the activity. Remember to use persuasive arguments regarding the religious activity rather than resort to personal criticisms. As an alternative to a focus on a single teacher, you can also find two prominent Buddhist figures and compare their backgrounds and activity. FormGroup work (3-4 people maximum). As a group, you will submit the final version of your work on the Assignments page (under “Final project”). Your work should be pre-recorded and shared in one of the following forms: Power Point presentation with pre-recorded commentsVideo presentation Podcast paired with a visual file (slides or poster)PDF posters with audio comment Sources and research Here’s where to start: Database of *several* Buddhist networks and masters around the worldhttp://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/ (Links to an external site.)Database of Canadian Buddhismhttp://www.directory.sumeru-books.com/?url=canadianbuddhism.info (Links to an external site.)Women mastershttp://lhamo.tripod.com/2general.htm (Links to an external site.)(scroll down and click the different traditions to access the great number of female masters grouped accordingly)A good general resourcehttp://www.buddhanet.net (Links to an external site.)When you have made your choice: Go to the master’s website and other related websitesConsult our weekly readings and other course materialsLocate
