In order to construct a richer community of learning among us, the CT faculty is initiating a CT PhD seminar to replace our more informal brown bag lunches. It will meet six times per semester on Wednesdays from 4:15-6:15 PM. Each year we will delve deeply together into the study of texts of a single non-Christian tradition (in translation) and thus create a locus for comparative theological discussion. We also hope this engagement will provide CT PhD students further skills over the course of their training in the sacred texts of several traditions, enabling them to claim a richer background for comparative research and fuller preparation for teaching world religions once they are on the job market.

All CT PhD majors are required to participate in the seminar in each year of their program (unless the student is away from campus as part of his or her PhD program). Second year PhD CT majors register to receive pass-fail credit (3 credit hours total, received in spring semester). The course is required but non-credit for all other CT PhD majors. Minors are also welcome to participate in this annual seminar.

For the 2008-2009 academic year, John Makransky will lead us in the study of Buddhist texts. Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish texts will be the focus in following academic years. The primary text for F 08 is The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya (translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli). The spring semester will focus on the Vimalakirti scripture, A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (by Santideva) and the Awakening of Faith (attributed to Asvaghosa). All these texts are provided free of charge.

Requirements: In preparation for each class, students will be assigned some reading in a Buddhist text, and will be asked to pick a Buddhist theme that especially caught their interest and be prepared to discuss howso in class.

Please reserve the following dates for the CT Seminar 2008-2009. Wednesdays, 4:15-6:15 PM, Room 335.

--Fall 2008: Sept. 10, 24. October 8, (29*). November 12. Dec. 3. (The October 29 meeting will be at Harvard with the Society for Comparative Theology)

--Spring 2009: February 4, 18. March 11, 18. April 1, 15.

If you have any questions about the 2008-9 seminar, contact John Makransky.