Buddhist Studies Program
The Buddhist studies program is a Knox-approved study abroad program through Antioch University. You can go to either India or Japan. The program is worth 4.5 credits at Knox.
If you decide to go to India on the program, you will spend most of your time in Bodh Gaya in the state of Bihar in northern India. Bodh Gaya is home of the Bodhi tree -- the famous tree that the Buddha was sitting under when he achieved enlightenment, and thus is an extremely important destination for Buddhist pilgrims.
At the monastery
You will live in a Buddhist (Burmese, Theravada) monastery and meditate two times a day, studying with meditation masters in the traditions of Vipassana, Zen and Tibetan meditation. You will also take two classes, choosing from: Modern Buddhist Culture, Buddhist Philosophy, Hindi or Tibetan.
At the monastery, you will follow a rigid schedule:
Monday - Friday
5:30 a.m. Meditation
6:30 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Language Class
8:30 a.m. Class Period
10:00 a.m. Tea
10:30 a.m. Class Period
12:00 p.m. Language Practice
1:00 p.m. Lunch
4:00 p.m. Tea
5:00 p.m. Meditation
6:30 p.m. Dinner
Weekends Same meditation and eating schedule
While living in the monastery you will be asked to follow the five Buddhist precepts:
1. Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine, I undertake the commitment to protect life. (This means don't kill bugs, either.)
2. Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine, I undertake the commitment to only take what is given. (This also means don't use your roommate's hand sanitizer, et al, without permission.)
3. Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine, I undertake the commitment to protect relationships, and be celibate during this time. (The program words this as "abstaining from sexual misconduct." This is sometimes interpreted different ways by different people, but it is emphasized a great deal that the monastery should be a sacred space.)
4. Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine, I undertake the commitment to speak the truth.
5. Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine, I undertake the commitment not to harm myself or others with drugs or alcohol (This really means abstaining from both completely, but especially within the monastery.)
The precepts are not rules that are enforced, but rather are very good suggestions for making the most of your time in India. Their basic aim is to allow you to free yourself from physical and social attachments and complications, a task that is easier when you are surrounded by people trying to do the same thing. Different people follow different ones to varying degrees. Many people regularly swat mosquitoes without blinking, and others interpret "sexual misconduct" as rape or harassment, which is a legitimate interpretation in the non-monastic Buddhist world.
