The sense faculties – how they work and how we use them – form a topic of central importance in many Buddhist practice traditions. Trace themes in these teachings, from Pali suttas through important Mahayana texts. Based on these core texts, consider this fundamental question: How can our use of the senses be transformed from a significant source of problems to a means for liberation?

Raoul Birnbaum is professor of Buddhist Studies at University of California, Santa Cruz, where he also holds the Patricia and Rowland Rebele Chair in History of Art and Visual Culture. His numerous publications include The Healing Buddha and Studies on the Mysteries of Mañjusri, articles on Chinese Buddhist practices and representations, and more recently, the life of the modern Chinese Buddhist monk Hongyi [1880-1942]. Birnbaum has studied extensively within Chinese Buddhist monastic environments for many years, especially on the China mainland.

Lecture: M - F 8:30 - 10:00 AM
Discussion: Tu/W/Th 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Course code: SUT 180/280 [1 unit]

City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Administration Office Exhibition Hall

This event is free and open to the public.
The lectures will be presented in English. Simultaneous Chinese translation will be provided.