Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces students to Buddhist meditation practices, tracing their evolution from the time of the Buddha to the techniques of Tibetan tantra. It explores how these practices intersect with modern cognitive science to improve our understanding of human cognition, including attention, memory, and perception. It critically addresses the popularisation of meditation in the West, clarifying the distinctions between meditation and mindfulness, and discusses meditation's historical significance and diverse forms within Buddhism. Students will explore foundational interdisciplinary concepts, enhancing their appreciation of meditation's role across different cultures and times.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Asian Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Asian Studies
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Flavio Geisshuesler, flavio.geisshuesler@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Tutorial Presentation Presentations with submitted component on specific topics related to the historical development and critical evaluation of Buddhist meditation, demonstrating research and communication skills	15%	Multiple weeks Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	In-Class Participation Active engagement with discussions on the historical and cultural contexts of Buddhist meditation.	10%	Ongoing	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Early Feedback Task #earflyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Personal reflection paper Reflection of their understanding of meditation's diverse forms and its historical significance, relating these insights to their personal or observed experiences.	35%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Essay Analyze how meditation practices influence cognitive processes and how these practices are applied and understood in various cultural contexts, utilizing interdisciplinary perspectives to evaluate their effectiveness and significance.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59	2500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Cartography of Contemplative Studies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Method Tool Kit Marathon	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Method Tool Kit Marathon	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	From Hīnayāna to MBSR & the Mindfulness Boom	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	From Hīnayāna to MBSR & the Mindfulness Boom	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Mirror, Mirror — Mindfulness Meets Self	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Mirror, Mirror — Mindfulness Meets Self	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Mahāyāna 2.0 — Emptiness & Compassion for Systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Mahāyāna 2.0 — Emptiness & Compassion for Systems	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	We Sight — Empathy Circuits & the Collective Self	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	We Sight — Empathy Circuits & the Collective Self	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Meditation as Technology of Change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Meditation as Technology of Change	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Ignition Visualization — Tantric Cognition & Subtle Body	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Ignition Visualization — Tantric Cognition & Subtle Body	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Shadow & Shock — Contemplative Encounters with the Dark Side	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Shadow & Shock — Contemplative Encounters with the Dark Side	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Catalyst Meditation Lab — From Inner Insight to Systems Change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Catalyst Meditation Lab — From Inner Insight to Systems Change	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Non Intentional Flow — Dzogchen & the Art of Doing Nothing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Non Intentional Flow — Dzogchen & the Art of Doing Nothing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Disruptive Vision — Post Tantra & Cognitive Science	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Disruptive Vision — Post Tantra & Cognitive Science	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Dharma.AI — When Algorithms Meditate	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Dharma.AI — When Algorithms Meditate	Tutorial (1 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Describe the historical evolution of Buddhist meditation across various traditions, demonstrating an understanding of Asia's major religious and cultural movements.
LO2. Provide alternative perspectives on contemporary understandings of meditation in Asia.
LO3. Critically analyse the popularity of meditation in Western contexts, distinguishing between different forms of meditation and their purposes.
LO4. Understand how cognitive science theories explain aspects of meditation, such as its effects on attention, memory, and perception
LO5. Develop a capacity to engage in interdisciplinary Asian studies, synthesising information from religious studies, psychology, and neuroscience
LO6. Work collaboratively in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary settings, applying basic knowledge of meditation practices to enhance dialogue and understanding between diverse cultural perspectives.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ASNS2628: Buddhism, Meditation, and Brain

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links