| Summary: | 碩士 === 南華大學 === 宗教學研究所 === 96 === This dissertation focuses on the current situation of Buddhist Studies in higher education, using staff members and students of both the Buddhist Department at the NanHua University’s Graduate Institute of Religious Studies and the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies at Dharma Drum Mountain as case studies, the paper consists of a series of examinations of the founders, the founding history, the internal education, current issues, and the students’ progressions after graduation.
Chapter one puts forward the author’s intentions, the concept of the research question, and the intention of the study. The main aim is to express the issues close to the author’s heart, expressing a strong subjectivity. The definition of terms facilitates later discussions of the questions by avoiding ambiguities. The chapter also lays out clear research boundaries and as well as the limitations to the dissertation, where the author explains the pros and cons of writing from an insider’s point of view. In the meantime, the author introduces the research methods, especially research by characteristics, exploring and analysing related writings, and how they correspond to this text.
Chapter two gives the examples of Master Hsing Yun and Master Sheng Yen, both of whom have made important contributions to the development of Buddhist education. The adversities they encountered in founding the subject and their uncompromising spirits are the centre of this chapter. They both provide an exemplary model for later generations to follow. The chapter also introduces the founding process and development of the two institutes.
Chapter three compares the environments, educational goals and future prospects of the two schools, while also introducing the tutors and the course contents. By providing a “diversity” of educational information, the author hopes to widen the perspective of those who might be interested to take up the subject, as well as improving the public’s understanding of the values and meanings of academic Buddhist Studies.
Chapter four and five present interviews with students and teachers of both institutes; through the conversations, we gain an insight of the staff’s research experiences, teaching concepts, future outlooks and hopes for the students; in the meantime, we can understand the students’ motives of taking up the subject, their aims and experiences (difficulties, benefits and special experiences), and their hopes and goals for the future. The text further explores concepts of religion and humanities; participations in religious discussions; future prospects; and provides thoughts and concrete suggestions on the practices of religious education. By getting to know the members of the two institutes, the chapter attempts to paint a clearer picture of this new research territory.
Chapter six considers the development and future of researchers in this subject. It analyses the present market by tracing the employment situations of former pupils; some have gone on to teaching at universities, Buddhist institutes, and community universities; others provide their services at educational administrations, cultural organizations, temple associations, or work for religious publications or libraries. The author puts forward more innovative concepts and concrete proposals; for example, proactively designing religious courses for schools; providing counselling for students with special needs; religious consultations; exploration of a wider educational market; religious cultural projects or management; and caring for the terminally ill (religion as conciliation). Thereby, the author hopes to inspire the creativity and activity of insiders, while raising the awareness of both insiders and outsiders in terms of the value and meaning of religious studies in our society.
Chapter seven draws the conclusion to this dissertation. It revisits the findings
and suggestions encountered during the research for the reference of the reader, and to point out future directions of the author’s attention. All research question raised in this paper have great potential for further studies, the writer hopes that researchers interested in the subject of Buddhism can undertake further explorations by means of religious social science, so that the general public may gain better understanding of Buddhism and its related subjects.
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