Dharma Rain - Children's Programs
Dharma Studies Classes / Seminary Program
Purpose
Dharma Studies / Seminary classes are intended to create and maintain a
shared body of knowledge and understanding about Dharma and Soto Zen within
the
Sangha.
Classes
may be taken for formal seminary credit toward graduation, or for personal
enrichment without concern for credit. In either case, Dharma Studies
/ Seminary classes are intended for senior practitioners with an understanding
of fundamental
Buddhist and Soto Zen concepts and vocabulary.
Dharma studies classes are in-depth explorations
of Dharma available to
members of Dharma Rain for personal
enrichment. Students may choose to
audit the material by attending classes and reading, or do the class assignment
for their own experience. Tuition is $50 per term.
The seminary program is for the training of members
who expect to move into leadership and instructor roles. These students must apply and
meet the criteria listed
below.
Their class work will be subject to a higher level of observation and review,
with a focus on their ability to integrate and express the material. When a
person enters the seminary training track, their prior work in seminary-level
courses
is reviewed, and it may be requested that they repeat a class in order to have
their work assessed at this greater level of scrutiny. Tuition is $100 per
term. See upcoming classes.
Prerequisites and Eligibility
Before taking any other seminary class, sangha members are expected to
be experienced practitioners and senior members of Dharma Rain (practicing
and pledging regularly for at least a year.) All students are required
to attend
the Foundational Teachings and Precepts classes before
any other seminary classes. (They do not have to take these classes for
seminary credit
in order to take other seminary classes.) Each class is offered annually
without
charge. Certain seminary classes may have further prerequisites
as well. Seminary instructors who feel a student does not have adequate knowledge
or understanding to benefit from a particular course may ask the student
to do extra work for preparation, or to leave the class in order to
avoid slowing down the discussion and progress of other students.
Those who want to graduate from seminary will need to take the Precepts and Foundational
Teachings classes for credit. Individual instructors
of each
series will develop projects for seminary students. Those senior
members who have already taken these classes informally and feel they are
able
to do so may challenge these classes by arranging to do so with a
seminary instructor.
Such challenge may take any form the instructor and student together
determine is adequate and appropriate. The instructor will inform
the seminary registrar
of successful challenges. Other seminary courses cannot be challenged in ordinary
circumstances. College coursework in subjects such as psychology, religious
studies or education does not fulfill requirements for seminary.
Eligibility to enter seminary requires an
application, regular contact
with a teacher (at least once a term), three years of practice, status as
a senior member at DRZC, attendance at a
term
student program, and attendance at a sesshin.
To finish the program, seminary students must complete the class requirements
listed
below. They must also maintain contact with a teacher, assist in an instructor
capacity (Wednesday class, sitting group, affiliated group or public outreach)
and make a public oral presentation, to be determined.
Fees
Tuition is charged for all seminary courses taken for credit, regardless
of whether they are designed specifically for seminary students or offered
as open classes to the Sangha at large. The seminary student requires
extra attention from the registrar as well as the instructor. The instructor
must develop and review a project and be vigilant toward the seminary
student’s
progress, even in a Wednesday night class with shifting members. There
are also costs and time associated with recording and posting the lectures,
and monitoring students’ progress toward graduation.
Independent Study Groups
Authorized instructors and teachers may offer study groups intended for
enrichment, with permission of the Dharma Council. Such small group classes
or groups
are not considered seminary classes and will not count for credit toward
Seminary requirements. Instructors may manage these groups independently:
they can set prerequisites, limit numbers, require reading outside of class
time and so on.
Each small group study will have a fee of $25 to cover building costs.
The instructor handles registration and is responsible
for collecting fees.
Distant Students
Distant students may take seminary classes, for the same fee. (Costs are
essentially the same for all students, as is preparation and follow-up.)
They are required
to register, listen to lectures and do a project in the same way as other
members. They are encouraged to stay in regular contact with the instructor
and make comments to the class through letters or e-mails.
Class Requirements
A total of ten classes is required, including all of the
following:
- Foundational Teachings
- Precepts
- Buddhist History and Texts
- Dogen Studies
- Wisdom Sutras and Platform Sutra
- Daily Scriptures
Students are also required to take one class from each of the following
four categories.
Major Sutras
- Lotus Sutra
- Avatamsaka Sutra
- Lankavatara Sutra
- Vimalakirti Sutra
Lineage
- Bodhidharma and the Chinese Ancestors
- Keizan and the Japanese Ancestors
- Nagarjuna
- Shantideva
- * Women's Lineage
Issues of Leadership
- Spiritual Ethics
- Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution
General Dharma Studies
- The Bodhisattvas
- The Paramitas
- Methods of Practice
- Brahma Viharas
- Abhidharma
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