Imagine being a 20-year-old student with no cell phone, TV, radio, iPod, computer or Internet for a month.
A whole month – some might say it's impossible.
Not for Koren Robins, a junior at Virginia Wesleyan College double majoring in history and religious studies.
For the month of July, Robins is studying Buddhism in Kaohsiung, Taiwan at the Fo Guang Shan monastery, the world headquarters of the Fo Guang Shan system of temples, colleges, associations, and charitable and cultural programs. She will get a first-hand experience in the lifestyle, training and rituals of contemporary Chinese Buddhist monastic through the Woodenfish Program.
The program includes approximately 40-50 students from the United States and Canada interested in the study of religion, Buddhism and/or Chinese culture. Students are totally immersed in Buddhism from their daily routines, the clothes they wear to the food they eat.
The itinerary for the program is intense. Morning wake-up calls begin at 5:30 a.m. followed by morning meditation and Kung Fu. Students then have breakfast, classes on Buddhism and more meditation before lunch. Before the lights go out a 10 p.m., students have a class on Asian culture, dinner and an evening lecture with Questions and Answers.
With about 365 million followers - 6% of the world's population, Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world.In addition to the absence of electronics, Robins will also participate in a week of silent meditation, a rooted tradition in Buddhism.
"Because we do so many mindless things, to be alone with yourself for a week, in your own mind is an experience I think I'll never forget," she said.
All meals at the monastery are vegetarian, with no exceptions. Robins admits that she isn't a vegetarian, but "this is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity," and not having meat isn't going to stop her, she said.
Even the dress at the monastery reflects the program's commitment to Buddhism. Both male and female students must wear white robes for the entire month, handmade by someone at the monastery.
When those robes get dirty, students must clean them themselves – on the roof in a tin bucket.
President of Theta Alpha Kappa, the religious studies honor society, Robins takes a great interest in all faiths and cultures. Over winter session, she traveled to Greece and Turkey and said "studying abroad opens your mind and other experiences."
Buddhism was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. For Robins, learning and visiting another culture is just another tool that inspires her education. "There are to verbs of knowing," said Robins. "To know something intellectually is one thing; and to know something by experience is something else."
After returning from the monastery, the native of Chesapeake, Va., plans to conduct further research on the lifestyle of Buddhist/Chinese culture and complete her independent research study in the fall. Her main focus will be on the importance of religion in their life, she said.
Robins and Dr. Craig Wansink, Batten Professor of Religious Studies, have also talked about writing an introductory book on Buddhism for students and adults.
Buddhism is mainly practiced in China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia."It [the book] would be a better understanding of Buddhism," said Robins. "It's very misunderstood and meditation as a lifestyle can be applied to any religion."
After graduation, Robins plans to attend graduate school and to pursue her doctorate in early New Testament and church history. She hopes to be a college professor.
07/18/07