As a first step towards fulfilling its vision of a new paradigm of Buddhist studies within a contemplative environment, the Study Center offered a 2-week intensive academic program in Buddhist Studies at its new dormitory/conference hall building from January 9-21, 1994. This vision has been inspired by the great Buddhist universities in ancient India. The objective of this paradigm is to explore Buddhist thought and practice as a living tradition, to provide a bridge between study and practice, between scholarly understanding and meditative insight.
The 2-week program provided an in-depth academic look at the doctrinal and historical background of the tradition. The daily schedule was framed by morning and evening meditation as well as a weekend long vipassana meditation retreat in the middle of the course. Although unscheduled, students were provided with impromptu opportunities for experiencing different forms of Theravada and Mahayana chanting. All students around the course to be a very enriching balance of academic investigation and experiential participation.
The 17 students shared a great variety of ages and background and geographical locations. There were participants from California, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, New York, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Several had an extensive background in meditation practice while others had almost none; almost all shared a deep interest in enriching their understanding of the tradition.
The core faculty for the course were Dr. Andy Olendzki, Executive Director of IMS & BCBS, and Mu Soeng Sunim, Director of Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. There was a rich contributing faculty as well, including Dr. Dorothy Austin, who teaches psychology and religion at Drew University; Dr. Perrin Cohen, who teaches psychology at Northeastern University; Dr. Diana Eck, professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University; and Dr. Jack Engler, author and vipassana meditation teacher, who is a psychologist at Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Hospital. Joseph Goldstein, guiding teacher at the Insight Meditation Society, offered seminars on the wisdom and compassion aspects of meditative experience.
One student wrote, “Sitting here, seeking balance amidst the ebb and flow of daily life, I realize just how thoroughly thought out the meeting of my every need was during my stay at the Center. From the excellent meals and insightful teachings, to the beautiful landscape and finely crafted facilities, I had a wonderful experience.” Some other comments on the course: “Well-organized and complete. I appreciated the range of presenters.” “Provided me with an excellent foundation [in] Buddhist teachings.” “Great, excellent presenters … easy and pleasant to absorb many teachings.”
This program will be offered again from January 8 to 20, 1995.
