1) After reviewing our text on Tibeten Buddhism (pp. 149ff.) - see the film "Seven Years in Tibet" and the affiliated Time magazine article on "Buddhism in America."

In a written report, first provide a three-four paragraph summary of Tibeten Buddhism, including a comparison and contrast with especially the Vajrayana tradition from which it derives.
Then provide a critical review of the film in terms of how well/poorly it represents Tibeten Buddhism as Fenton et al have described it.
Similarly, review the Time article, commenting on especially two points: (a) how accurately does the article portray "Buddhism" in its origins and teachings as we have studied it, and (b) how has the introduction of Buddhism in America (from what traditions?) changed its teachings and practices?
Finally, what do these contrasts and changes tell you about how a religious tradition both changes and is changed by the larger culture as it enters that culture from "the outside"?

2) Review substantial portions of one of the following texts:

The Buddhist Bible, ed. Dwight Goddard. Boston: Beacon Press, 1994. ISBN: 0-8070-5911-0.

Red Pine, The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma. San Francisco: North Point Press, 1987. ISBN: 0-86547-399-4.

The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui Neng, trans. A.F. Price and Wong Mon-Lam. Boston: Shambhala, 1985. ISBN: 0-394-73019-4.

Gretel Ehrlich, Questions of Heaven: the Chinese Journeys of an American Buddhist. Boston: Beacon Press, 1997. ISBN: 0-8070-7310-5.

Anything by Thich Nhat Hanh.

(Thanks to Pegg Hart!)

In an essay of 2-3 pages, summarize central teachings, insights, etc. which you have gleaned from this reading - and contrast/compare these teachings, insights, etc. with those of at least one of the traditions we have examined.

3) Review the following materials on the Web and library reserve:

"Soka Net" - the homepage of the Soka Gakkai Society

"Japan-Heaven for a Religious Group But Danger for Country's Politics," The Weekly Post, Jan 11-17, 1996 - an article on Sokagakkai from the English version of the Japanese newspaper.

"Religion in Japan" - a brief summary of religion in Japan.

"Interreligiosity and Conversion," an opening paper for a conference on "Catholicism and Soka Gakkai" sponsored by the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture and the Institute for Oriental Philosophy (reserve, Olin Library).

(Thanks to Tomo Yamane!)

On the basis of these materials, first provide a summary of Soka Gakkai as one of the many religions to emerge in Japan following the devastation of World War II. You may want to comment here on its similarities and differences vis-a-vis other "new" religions to arise in the aftermath of WWII.
Then describe current views towards Soka Gakkai as it has become a political power (and threat?) in Japan.
We have seen that religions change and adapt as they are introduced into new social, political, and cultural contexts: what does your history of Soka Gakkai suggest about the interaction between religion and politics in contemporary Japan?