Classical Texts

• 325Abhidharma

  Define abhidharma precisely; analyze how its practice reduces aversion, craving, and suffering; and evaluate examples from personal experience.
• 303The Heart Sutra

  Describe the conversation between Avalokiteshvara and Shariputra; recite key passages from the sutra, Analyze how the Heart Sutra’s central teaching “form is emptiness, emptiness is form” differs from nihilism; identify the many ways the heart sutra has been related to across cultures, create a piece of art using the text of the heart sutra.
• 311Bodhicaryavatara

  Analyze the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life text, its structure, author, and importance. Differentiate between aspirational and ultimate bodhicitta, and evaluate how impermanence is a basis for generating compassion.
• 313Madhyamaka

  Analyze Nagarjuna’s concept of dependent arising by examining how phenomena exist only in relationship to other things, then evaluate how attachment to fixed ideas creates suffering in personal situations. Apply the Middle Way perspective to challenging life circumstances, comparing responses based on rigid thinking versus flexible understanding, and synthesize how recognizing the interdependent nature of problems and successes can lead to greater compassion and skillful action.
• 315Parting from the Four Attachments

  Identify the four types of attachment described in this teaching. Examine how each manifests in contemporary life, then evaluate personal motivations and priorities to identify which attachments most strongly influence decision-making.
• 223Sutta/Sutra Structure

  Differentiate between source texts and commentaries, and analyze how these textual categories function within each of the three yanas.
• 240The Dhammapada

  Analyze key themes in the Dhammapada, and evaluate how these ancient teachings remain relevant to contemporary issues and experiences.
• 222Evolving Languages of Transmission

  Analyze the evolution of dharma transmission across linguistic boundaries from Magadhi Prakrit to contemporary languages; evaluate the challenges and benefits of translating Buddhist concepts while preserving essential meaning; and synthesize understanding by comparing original Sanskrit/Pali terms with modern translations to demonstrate both what is gained and lost in cross-linguistic dharma preservation.
• 208Sukhavati Sutras

  Compare Pure Land Buddhism with other forms of Buddhism, analyzing how the practice of chanting Amitabha’s name serves both as devotion and meditation and how visualizing a perfect realm can inspire positive daily actions.