College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego (CBSSD)

Inaugural Class Admission Announcement

 

Program Overview

The two-year work and student program is designed for students who wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Buddhist philosophy and practice.  Upon completion of the program, students will receive a Certificate of Graduation from the College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego (CBSSD) which will entitle them to full ordination as a monastic in the Fo Guang Shan Monastery System.  Graduates not wishing to become monastics may pursue other career opportunities as lay administrators or lay dharma teachers in the Fo Guang Snan Monastery System.

 

Sponsors

The College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego is sponsored by the San Diego Buddhist Association.  The San Diego Buddhist Association (known as Hsi Fang Temple) is the acting agent for the organization and implementation of the program and is a branch temple of Fo Guang Shan Monastery. Fo Guang Shan Monastery was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1967.  The mission of Fo Guang Shan Monastery is to promote the principles of Humanistic Buddhism and to foster peace and harmony among all people of the world.  Venerable Master Hsing Yun has guided this effort by providing educational opportunities, sponsoring cultural events, engaging in community service, and by his extensive writing and teaching on the Buddhist Path of wisdom and compassion.

 

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego is to provide spiritual training and education in Buddhist principles and practices based upon faith or confidence in the Dharma, learning, community service, and the principles of Humanistic Buddhism.

 

About the San Diego Campus

The first campus of the College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego is located at Hsi Fang Temple in San Diego, CA.  Hsi Fang Temple is a fully equipped building with classrooms, dormitories and kitchen facilities.  For more information, please consult the temple’s website at http://www.hsifang.org.

 

Students

   

The program has three study tracks: Resident Student Track, Registered Student Track and Part-Time Registered Student Track.  The following section describes each track in more detail, as well as the respective benefits and responsibilities.

 

Resident Student Track

Description

This program is designed for students who wish to work and study full-time at the San Diego campus.  During the weekdays (Monday through Friday), the College faculty will assign each student certain administrative assignments, religious tasks or community outreach projects.  These tasks are part of the normal monastery functions, and are designed to enhance the student’s understanding of the FGS Monastery System.  On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), students will attend classes on religious studies. 

Benefits

The following benefits are provided to each of the Resident Students, provided the student fulfills the responsibilities listed in the next section.

  • Free lodging and meals at the San Diego campus
  • Lodging is provided by the College dormitory.  Meals are provided by the College dining hall.  Other lodging and dining options (such as, but not limited to, apartment rental and restaurant dining) are not allowed, nor is the expense covered by the College.  
  • Basic medical insurance.  Resident Students will receive the medical insurance (i.e. HMO or equivalent).
  • Tuition waiver.  Tuition waiver is limited to the $1000 semester tuition charged by the College.  Tuition associated with additional classes (such as ones offered by the University of the West) is not covered.
  • Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for work opportunities (either as a monastic or lay person) within the FGS Monastery System.

Responsibilities

In order to receive the benefits listed in the previous section, each of the Resident Students must fulfill the following responsibilities:

  • 100% participation in all College activities, including, but not limited to:
    • Administrative or religious activities assigned by the College faculty on weekdays
    • Religious studies on weekends
    • Community outreach activities
    • General housekeeping and maintenance tasks
    • Occasional supporting activities in religious functions at other FGS temples
  • Maintaining a satisfactory grade point average
  • Following the rules and standards of the College

 

Registered Student Track

Description

This program is designed for students who wish to attend classes full-time but not be a resident at the San Diego campus.  Classes start Saturday morning and last until Sunday afternoon.  Classes are taught jointly with the Resident Student Track.

Benefits

The following benefits are provided to each of the Registered Students, provided the student fulfills the responsibilities listed in the next section.

  • Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for service opportunities (either monastic or layperson) within the FGS Monastery System.

Responsibilities

In order to receive the benefits listed in the previous section, each of the Registered Students must fulfill the following responsibilities:

  • 100% participation in the following activities:
    • Classes on weekends
    • Community outreach activities
  • Maintaining a satisfactory grade point average
  • Following the rules and standards of the College
  • Tuition paid in full at the beginning of the semester  (Scholarships, and work/study opportunities are available)

 

Part-Time Registered Student Track

 

Description

This program is designed for students who wish to attend classes part-time.  They will select the classes that interest them and tuition will be determined based on their selection.  This track will require more than two years to complete.

 

Graduation Requirements

Regardless of the track, all students must complete the basic courses and participate in communal activities.  Refer to Appendix One for course and activity listings.  Those who successfully complete the courses in Appendix One will receive the Certificate of Graduation from the College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego. 

 

Admission Policy 

The College seeks a talented study body characterized by diversity in race, gender and national origin.  All qualified students are eligible for admittance to the College.

Eligibility: 

To be eligible for the program, at the time of application, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. (Exceptions may be allowed on a case by case basis.)  Due to the strict rules on celibacy in a Buddhist monastery, students in the Resident Student Track must not be married or in a relationship. 

Evaluation: 

  • Applications will be evaluated by the admission’s committee for religious sincerity and the potential for future contributions to Buddhism in North America.

 

Application Format, Content, and Submission: 

Application materials must be submitted directly to College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego by the applicant.  Applicants are responsible for verifying with the College that their application file is complete.  A complete application consists of the following documents:

  • Application Form
  • Statement of Purpose – Explain your unique qualifications for participation in the program, and list the benefits the program will provide to your religious development.  The statement may not exceed 500 words.
  • List of activities indicating involvement in a Fo Guang Shan branch temple or other community services
  • Current curriculum vitae / resume
  • Current medical examination report (for resident students)
  • Official undergraduate and/or graduate diploma(s)
  • Two recommendation letters (for resident students, one of which must come from the abbot or abbess of a Fo Guang Shan branch temple).

 

Application Deadline

All materials must be sent to the College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego at the address listed below and must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2004.

 

                       

                        College of Buddhist Studies, San Diego

                        Admission Office

                        4536 Park Boulevard

                        San Diego, CA  92116

 

                       Tel: 619 298 2800

                       Fax: 619 298 4205

                       Email: sandiego@uwest.edu

 

Full admission notice will be sent out to all students by August 20, 2004.  All applicants must reconfirm whether they want to attend the program before September 1, 2004.

 

Program Start Date

The program will start on September 11, 2004 for all students (both Resident and Registered Student Tracks). 

 

Tuition (Scholarships and Work/Study Opportunities are available)

Tuition for Registered Students is $1000 per semester.  Tuition is due in full one week prior to the beginning of each semester.  Tuition is waived for Resident Students, provided responsibilities described in the Student section are met.

Appendix One: Courses for All Students

The following courses are typical introductory courses designed for novice monastics at FGS.  Fulltime students can complete the program in two years.  However, the offering of the courses is flexible.  In order to better accommodate the needs of the students and/or better fulfill the program objectives, the College reserves the right to add or delete any course at any time.

 

Introductions

  • Introduction to Buddhism
  • Introduction to Chinese Culture
  • Principles of Humanistic Buddhism

 

Ethics and Conduct

  • Buddhist Ethics
  • Buddhist Rituals
  • Chanting and Religious Musical Instruments
  • Meditation Techniques

 

History and Philosophy

  • History of Chinese Buddhism
  • Heritage of Fo Guang Shan
  • Principles of Western Religions
  • Principles of Chinese Philosophy and Culture

 

Reading

  • Sutra Study
  • Special Seminars on Sutras
  • Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Writings

 

Communications

  • Public Speaking
  • Effective Communications
  • Effective Counseling
  • Effective Preaching

 

Management

  • Management of a Monastery
  • Leadership Development
  • Religious Legal Issues

 

Outreach Activities

  • Ministry activities at the local nursing homes, prisons, and schools
  • Support for religious activities at other FGS temples in North America

 

Communal Services

  • General housekeeping and facility maintenance tasks
  • Future Development Planning of San Diego campus

 

Appendix Two:  Semester Course Schedule

Length:  4-month semester (September through December)

Weekend Schedule:

  • Saturday
    • 9:00 – 12:00 PM   Classes
    • 12:00 PM              Lunch break
    • 2:00 – 5:00 PM     Classes
    • 6:00PM                 Dinner break
    • 7:00 – 9:00 PM     Classes
  • Sunday
    • 9:00 -12:00 PM    Classes
    • 12:00 PM              Lunch break
    • 1:00 – 2:00 PM     Communal Service

 

  • First and Third Weekend – Religious studies
  • Second Weekend – Meditation retreat
  • Fourth Weekend – Break

 

Notes for the year of 2004:

 In September, the second and fourth weekend – Religious studies; the third weekend – Meditation retreat

In October, the fifth Weekend – Eight-Precept Retreat at the Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles.

 

Additional Notes:

All meals served in the monastery are vegetarian food.  Meat products are strictly prohibited on the monastery grounds.

Alcohol, tobacco products and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on the monastery grounds.

Students are required to follow Buddhist ethics while on the monastery grounds.