LES4201 ¨C Buddhist Care Practices

Course content

In this course, students of Buddhist and other beliefs or life philosophies will learn about the practices of Buddhist chaplaincy, spiritual care, and counseling that exist within the mainstream Buddhist traditions in contemporary societies across the globe. The course will focus in particular on the importance of attitude and self-reflection as well as on concepts and practices of mindfulness and compassion. Depending on the individual backgrounds of the participants, by means of input, self-thinking, work in small groups, and exchange in the plenum, we will discuss and reflect, how to apply Buddhist care practices in Norwegian institutions such as hospitals, hospices, prisons, the army and other counseling contexts such as public counseling centres and Buddhist communities.

Learning outcome

1. Upon completion of the course, students should have obtained knowledge from across the three mainstream Buddhist traditions, how Buddhists care for each other within their communities, not only in Asia and Europe, but also in Norway. How is such caring based in Buddhist root texts, how are these texts applied to contemporary contexts, and how are they complemented by today¡¯s knowledge and skills?

2. By means of self thinking, creative work, joint reflection, and discussion a basic understanding and sensitivity should be developed to realize, what Buddhists have in common, and how their views, practices, and needs may differ, especially when facing suffering in existential crises, conflict, and other difficult situations. How do Buddhists deal with old age, illness and death, which rituals are important to them, what are they ultimately striving for, and how do they relate to questions such as organ donation, abortion, domestic violence, or sexual abuse?

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Students on the Teacher Education Programme must be on the master's level (i.e. completed the first three years of the programme).

Recommended previous knowledge

No basic knowledge of Buddhism is required, but you should have received or read an introduction to Buddhism within the context of the major world religions.

Teaching

• Two intensive 2-day seminars

• Classroom teaching on both occasions

• An excursion on one of the days (date to be confirmed)

• Short lectures, group work, and short student presentations

• A voluntary mindfulness exercise at the beginning of each day

• Preparatory reading and individual reflection tasks between the two blocks

Mandatory requirements:

• The course requires a minimum of 80% mandatory attendance.

• Submission of a reflection paper (500-1000 words) for approval and feedback.

Examination

Portfolio

The exam is a portfolio submission including two parts:

• Reflection paper (500-1000 words): A reflection on one selected article or book chapter from the syllabus.

• Reflection essay (2500-3000 words): A comprehensive essay that engages with one or more syllabus texts and includes the student's own experience or research.

Language of examination

You submit your portfolio in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.