SCA 510
Symbolizing the Awakened Heart: Introduction to Buddhist Visual Literacy
Faculty: Stephanie Johnston
This course introduces Buddhist visual literacy, meaning it develops a basis for exploring and understanding Buddhist symbolism and iconography through the use of classic Buddhist teachings on seeming and ultimate realities, while considering the roles of conception and perception. We’ll learn through illustrated presentations and contemplative experiments to explore how meaning is made and communicated when producing and viewing imagery, and especially Buddhist imagery. Part of the course delves into the roots of Buddhist symbolism and iconography, and applies visual literacy skills in reading specific works of Buddhist art.
Mode of instruction: 12 online meetings with illustrated presentations, contemplative explorations, experiments, and discussion. About one hour of reading and homework between classes.
PREREQUISITE:
- None
REQUIRED TEXTS:
- Symbolizing the Awakened Heart: the Practice of Buddhist Visual Literacy
DATES & TIMES:
Wednesdays February 4 - April 29, 2026, 9:30 am - 11:15 am Pacific Time/6:30 pm - 8:15 pm CET
COST:
$$250
Nitartha’s Payment Plan and Financial Assistance (PPFA) program is funded by fellow students to support those who would not be able to attend the Institute’s courses without this assistance. To request aid, please fill out the PPFA application before you register for the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be introduced to, and have a basic understanding of:
- Classical Buddhist teachings on seeming and ultimate realities in relation to the science of valid cognition, with a focus on the difference between sense direct valid cognition and conception.
- Clear seeing: Distinguishing perception from conception.
- The process of making meaning.
- The role of Buddhist symbols as a form of communication focussed on awakening.
- Complex Buddhist iconography.
- Reading Buddhist art as a personal practice.
- Investigation and research of Buddhist art.
LEARN WITH OUR RENOWNED FACULTY
Stephanie Johnston
Stephanie Johnston, a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner since 1985 and student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche’s since 1996, is Nitartha Institute faculty and developed its Science of Creativity and the Arts courses. As a graphic designer and avid practitioner, she trains and supports practice instructors for Nalandabodhi. An alumni of Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and certified in Museum studies, Renaissance Art Techniques, and Graphic Design, she loves digging into the symbolic and its applied meaning in art and everyday life.