Hrs-147 Essay

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[name on BACK HRS/HIST 147 [name on BACK of last page only] Observation Report Worksheet of last page only] (6 PAGES MAX, plus photo/sketch attached)

*Type responses directly onto this form, single-spaced*
**Preserve numbering & prompts, but delete unused spaces**
***50 points for completion & review—NO PARTIAL CREDIT***

Name of site: Kim Quang Temple Event: Visiting

Day & date: March 31, 23013 Exact times you were on site: March 29, 2013

Person interviewed: Vietnamese monk Interview time, length & place: April 2, 2013

Before or after your site visit, for each of the topics below, generate a list of questions to ask yourself &/or others while at your site &/or interviewing a participant. Then during & following your visit, answer those questions to the best of your ability, focusing as much as possible on observable sensory details & words. IMPORTANT: start thinking about your questions a few days before your visit; you may want to draw from the “Glossary of Foundational Concepts” (the green sheet).

A. Practice Inspiring Reflection

1. Articulate 5-8 questions about the way(s) & the extent to which objects, actions & words used for practice inspire participants’ thoughts & feelings about the sacred.

1. How does one obtain a Buddhist Monk's Blessing?
2. What feelings does one receive after giving objects such as robes and food for monks?
3. What does the different colors of the robes signify?
4. Who is the most important figure in Buddhism besides Siddhartha Guatama?
5. Why does one become a Buddhist?

(ii) Articulate 3-5 questions about the way(s) & the extent to which the spatial arrangement of people in the worship space inspire thoughts & feelings about the sacred.

1. Are there any female Buddhist monks? Why or why not and in general what role do women hold in Buddhism? 2. What are some of the Vietnamese Buddhist holidays and celebrations? 3. How do lay people address a monk or nun? 4. What is the significance of the Kim Quang temple landscape?

(iii) Articulate 2-3 other questions you have (&/or that you imagine the audience of your report might want to have answered) regarding the practice you observed. 1. What are the three circular marks on the heads of monks and nuns? 2. What gestures of reverence do Buddhists use? 3. When visiting the Kim Quang Temple, is there certain attire that needs to be worn?

(iv) Number and then answer the above questions based on the evidence of what you saw & heard, attaching at least one SKETCH OR PHOTO to address questions in A(ii). Attribute all perception of unseen presence either (i) to yourself OR (ii) to someone you spoke with.
(IMPORTANT: record emotional responses &/or evaluative judgments in C below.) 1. A1:
1.) The way one receives a Buddhist monks blessing is by offering food or other items to the temple. Making a donation of either food, or necessities needed in life is considered part of the process of a monk's making "merit", which is an exchange of giving the monk the essential that he needs and also a way of giving a person sight of the Buddha’s teaching and blessing.
2.) The feelings that one receives after offering objects and robes for the monk is one of good deeds and accomplishments of a good merit.
3.) The different colors of the robes that the monks wear signify level and prestige. The Vietnamese monks typically wear grey or black robes.
4.) The most important figure to the Vietnamese Buddhist temples is the Buddha, but modern practice of Vietnamese Buddhism can be very extensive, including elements from Zen, Pure Land, and Tiantai. Vietnamese Buddhist valve the Amitabha, because its followers believe in gaining rebirth in the Pure Land by chanting Amitabh’s name.
5.) One becomes a Buddhist because they participate in a ceremony known as taking