There will be a final paper of approximately 2000 words (about 6-8 pages),double spaced pages to be submitted on the day the paper is due on a topic to be chosen bythe student. You should provide at least six peer reviewed sources to help substantiate pointsmade throughout you essays. Just as with the Mini Essays, you must use Chicago Style forreferences. At the beginning of your essay, please write out fully which prompt you will bewriting about, as sometimes it is not always clear for me as a reader.

You are required to choose one of the following prompts for your final essay.

• How has art influenced the development and understanding of Buddhism throughouthistory?

• Buddhism has adapted to many cultural and societal changes as it spread around theglobe throughout history. How have modernity and globalization influenced themessage and expansion of Buddhism within recent history?

• How are women perceived within the different schools of Buddhism? Have thoseperceptions changed over time? Why or why not?

• Buddhism has often found itself involved in violent actions, and have even beenknown to develop skills in martial arts. How is violence perceived in Buddhism? Dowarrior monks or even Buddhist forms of terrorism fit within the spectrum ofBuddhist teachings? Why or why not?

• What role does karma play in Buddhism? Who does it affect, and how does it affectthem in this life, the afterlife, and the next life?

• According to the second noble truth, greed/craving give rise to suffering. What didthe Buddha mean by greed/craving and how do they cause suffering? How do theseapply to love and compassion for others?

What is the Lotus Sutra and why is it so important to Japanese Buddhism?

Your essays will be graded on the following criteria:a) evidence that the factual material called for in the question is presented anddocumented;b) coherence of the essay in organization and structure;c) ability to engage critically and analytically with the topicd) evidence of creative thinking;e) correct annotation of sources and presentation of bibliography;f) correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.