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Learn · Winter 2027 · Meditative Humanities

Winter Study Abroad: Introduction to Zen Meditation

Zen · Ecology · Culture · Embodied Learning

CHIN/MVMT 2080 · 3 credits

Brooklyn College, CUNY · December 30, 2026 – January 21, 2027

Department of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures · Brooklyn College, CUNY

Winter 2027 (December 30, 2026 – January 21, 2027): an immersive study abroad in Taiwan — entering Chan and Meditative Humanities through Buddhist practice, philosophy, and culture.

Dates
December 30, 2026 – January 21, 2027
Application deadline
October 16, 2026
Fees
Fees and deposits follow Brooklyn College official announcements.
Official note
Credits, fees, admission, deposits, and official dates follow Brooklyn College announcements.
Co-teachers
Prof. Chia-ju Chang · Ven. Chang Hwa
Language
Taught in English · No prior meditation experience required
Contact
cchang@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Official fees & application info ↗

Course Description

This immersive course introduces Chan (Zen) through Buddhist practice, philosophy, and culture — lectures, seated and movement meditation, yoga, Taiji, tea, calligraphy, field visits, farming Chan, and reflective projects. Primary sites include Degui Academy (Taipei) and Baoyun Temple / Retreat Center (Taichung), with a half-day retreat and Farm-to-Table agricultural Chan.

Co-teachers & Faculty

This course is co-taught by two professors. Guest lecturers and practice instructors from the daily schedule are listed below.

Co-teacher

Prof. Chia-ju Chang

Co-teaching professor · program faculty / Chan calligraphy

Co-teacher

Ven. Chang Hwa

Co-teaching professor · moving Chan, meditation guidance, Tiantai, half-day retreat

Recurring Practice (Degui Academy)

At Degui Academy, Mon–Fri (except outdoor-program days): 9:00–9:30 stretching; 9:30–10:00 zazen.

Logistics & Venues

Class venues follow the schedule: Degui Academy, DILA, and Baoyun Temple / Retreat Center. Lodging: Howard Civil Service International House (Taipei); 53 Hotel (Taichung).

Program dates

1/1 arrive & visit National Chengchi University · 1/2–1/4 no class · return from Taichung 1/21

Lodging

Class locations

  • Taipei classes (most weekdays)

    Dharma Drum Degui Academy

    No. 77, Yanping S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei (near Ximen MRT Exit 5)

  • January 14

    Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA)

    Jinshan, New Taipei City (tea-Chan & Buddhist psychology)

  • Taichung classes (approx. Jan 18–19)

    Baoyun Temple / Baoyun Retreat Center

    No. 75, Shangsi Lane, Yonghe Rd., Wufeng Dist., Taichung

Learning Outcomes

The course advances global cultural study, critical reflection, ethical reasoning, and experiential learning — building skills in analysis, communication, self-awareness, and integrative thinking.

  1. 01

    Critical & Reflective Thinking

    Analyze lived experience through contemplative practice and guided reflection — examining assumptions, habitual reactions, and patterns of attention.

  2. 02

    Global & Cultural Awareness

    Understand Zen/Chan within historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts, with attention to Taiwanese religious life and landscapes.

  3. 03

    Embodied & Experiential Learning

    Apply seated, movement, walking, and everyday contemplative practices to see how body, environment, and attention shape cognition and perception.

  4. 04

    Ethical Reasoning & Responsibility

    Examine ethical questions of suffering, care, interdependence, ecological responsibility, and social engagement through Buddhist philosophy and practice.

  5. 05

    Communication & Expression

    Articulate experiential learning through reflective writing, visual media, or multimedia presentation.

  6. 06

    Self-Awareness & Metacognition

    Develop awareness of attention, emotion, and response patterns — and adjust learning and engagement accordingly.

What You’ll Experience

Morning Meditation

At Degui Academy on weekdays 9:00–10:00 a.m.: stretching and zazen (except outdoor-program days).

Lectures & Thought

Theravada, the Buddha in ancient India, Bodhidharma to Chan, Ten Oxherding & koans, Lao-Zhuang, kanhua Chan, living/dying well, Tiantai, tea-Chan, and Buddhist psychology.

Embodied Practice

Eight-form moving Chan, Taiji, yoga, plus co-teacher-led meditation guidance and calming-and-contemplation practice.

Farm Chan & Ecology

Farm-to-Table agricultural Chan at Baoyun Retreat Center, plus Apricot Blossom Water Buffalo School biophilia.

Landscape & Culture

Dharma Drum Institute, National Chengchi University, lunch at Shifang Zen Center (Yangmei), and travel stops en route Taipei→Taichung.

Half-Day Retreat & Final Presentations

Half-day Chan retreat at Baoyun Temple with Ven. Chang Hwa and Baoyun monastics, plus final presentations and farewell.

Itinerary Highlights

Drawn from the Winter 2027 bilingual schedule; full day-by-day detail is in the schedule and calendar below.

  • Taipei · Degui Academy

    Morning stretching & zazen

    Weekdays 9:00–10:00 a.m. establish practice rhythm (except outdoor days).

  • Taipei · lectures & body

    Idea lectures · moving Chan · yoga · Taiji · calligraphy

    Led in rotation by co-teachers and guest faculty.

  • Day trips

    Tea-Chan at Dharma Drum Institute · NCCU

    Dharma Drum Institute tea-Chan / Buddhist psychology, and National Chengchi University.

  • Toward Taichung

    Shifang Zen Center Yangmei · Apricot Blossom Water Buffalo School

    January 16 travel day: lunch stop and biophilia visit en route Taipei→Taichung.

  • Taichung · Closing

    Farm Chan, half-day retreat, final presentations

    Agricultural Chan at Baoyun Retreat Center, half-day retreat at Baoyun Temple, presentations, and U.S. return on Jan 21.

Already enrolled?

Daily schedule, calendar, projects, and assessment live on the student resources page (not indexed for search).

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