Support for Teaching and Learning
In collaboration with the Nan Tien institute, SRE teachers will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in Buddhism and teaching methodologies from the following workshop and classes offered in 2018.
The 'Mindfulness: Theory and Practice for Schools'
Lecture dates: 24 - 25 March 2018
15 - 16 September 2018
The 'Mindfulness: Theory and Practice for Schools' has been accredited by NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority). This two-day workshop explore the variety of applications of mindfulness in the school environment and guide teachers in using mindfulness in the creation and maintenance of supportive, safe and effective learning environments.
The teachers will explore several techniques and their application in the school environment, examining how to use each technique in the following areas:
Introduction to Buddhism
Lecture dates: 19 - 23 February 2018
Introduction to Buddhism outlines and explores the fundamentals of Buddhist thought. Students examine ideas around the origin and development of Buddhism, key Buddhist doctrines, and the basic concepts of Buddhist philosophy across various traditions. The role of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and practice in approaching morality and ethics, as well as contemporary developments in global Buddhism, is introduced and critically appraised. Students critically examine the meaning of life through Buddhist perspectives.
Buddhism and Interreligious Understanding
Lecture dates: 29 October - 2 November 2018
The subject focuses on a theory of religion, spirituality, and interfaith dialogue. Firstly, it presents secularization processes and outlines the foundations of religious studies, it then proceeds with an examination of fundamental issues in the history and development of the major world religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism from a comparative and interfaith perspective.
In the theoretical component the major methodological approaches will be presented and examined, and in the practical part readings of key texts, related to the subject outlined, will be discussed in the context of modern societal problems such as economic, political and gender issues, and approaches to conflict resolution and peace.
The subject outlines the main features of contemporary feminist philosophy of religion, drawing particularly from the works of Luce Irigaray. Additionally, the subject aims to investigate the role and future of religion and interfaith dialogue in our globalized world. Students will also explore how Buddhist perspectives could inform and contribute to contemporary interfaith dialogue.
Buddhism and Modern Society
Lecture dates: 7 - 11 August 2017 (9am-5pm)
The various schools of Buddhism teach systems of beliefs and practices based on the principles of change and interdependence.
This subject surveys how major Buddhist Schools today respond to contemporary issues and events around the world by adapting and reinterpreting the ancient doctrines to the modern world. This process is studied in both directions: how traditional Buddhist communities adapt to modernity and how Buddhist teachings are interpreted, reinvented or embraced.
Buddhist Ethics
Lecture dates: 16 - 20 April 2018
This subject presents an introduction to the major areas of ethical consideration important in Buddhist teachings and then critically investigates a range of contemporary issues in order to highlight possible contributions from—or gaps in—traditional Buddhist paradigms and perspectives