Observation Guidelines - Advice for Observing
Site visits and interviews are designed to get you to experience first hand the people and behaviors linked to the Buddhist traditions studied in the course. In SacCT, you will sign up to visit a particular local worship site; you will then then visit the site at the scheduled time, observe participants, and interview one of them to get a sense of what they are thinking. This experience will serve as the foundation for the observation report. Choose a local place of worship
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that you have NOT previously visited yourself and OR known much about from friends or family;
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that is reasonably accessible (see me if you have problems with transportation or commute from a distance);
- whose times of formal worship match your schedule. (I recommend going with at least one classmate, family member or friend.)
NOTE: I strongly recommend that you go with at least one classmate, family member or friend. Though the people in charge of these sites are always welcoming, you should take the same precautions as in any other public place.
IMPORTANT: you must observe one of events listed under Local Sites, not simply visit the site and talk to people. Although you may at other times have interesting informal interactions with community members there, it will be difficult to tell what they normally do when outsiders are not present based exclusively on such interactions.
Advice About Observing
Before your visit, you may want to print out or at least view the Observation Report Worksheet (ORW --> PDF/MS Word) and consider, and perhaps even start generating, the questions you'll need to ask and respond to in reporting about the visit.
When you arrive at the site, remember that you are a representative of the Sac State community. If possible, arrive early and introduce yourself to someone there so that you have a contact with at least one person. In general say as little as possible about this assignment so that you can focus on observing: you may just want to stick with "I'm taking a class on Buddhism, and am very interested in what you do here." Be courteous not simply in talking and asking questions, but also via the non-verbal signals you give as you are observing what is happening. You do not have to participate in anything that goes on if you don’t want to, but try as much as possible not to get in the way of the atmosphere which the group creates and maintains. Also take note of the ways in which you think your very presence might be affecting that atmosphere.
During and after your visit, remember the following:
- Your job as an observer is to record accurately what you experienced. Be very attentive in noticing the visual, verbal, and/or other sensory details you see & hear--and also bodily sensations, smell, and even taste!. Try to observe and include both the formal (e.g., ceremony, public speech, etc.) and informal (e.g., people chatting during a ceremony, a person closing their eyes) aspects of the event you witnessed. As suggested in the ORW, the most important details to take in are
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what the site looks like, both inside and out
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how many people are there, and ways they are distinct from one another
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different activities taking place (noting especially those occuring simultaneously, and the precise sequence of those occuring at different times)
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the extent to which people seem to know exactly what will happen next vs. looking around for cues
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words (melody & rhythm, any words you recognize--but also seek out printed or oral translations to at least one recitation) & other sounds
- Afterwards, try to find out some details from one or more of the worshippers about the extent to which the event you observed is typical, and the extent to which what happened was particular to that day. Ask also generally about the significance of what happened, even if just to note that the persons you speak with say little about it.
IMPORTANT: unless you already know someone who attends the site, you will need to make contact with one or more community members to ask them if they would be willing to have you interview them. Out of respect for the social customs generally adhered to in these communities, it is safest to make such requests only of members of the same sex. When you find someone willing to help you, communicate your deadlines clearly to them; without being pushy or intrusive it is helpful to obtain your contact's email address or phone number if they are willing to give it, rather than waiting for them to get back to you. Finally, if no one you speak with feels they can help you, ask them if they could suggest someone else.
- You may find it helpful to take brief notes while on the site; but its probably best NOT to use any type of electronic or photo recording device during the main part of the event, since this would significantly alter the dynamics of the group. (Taking a photo at the end is usually OK, but ask first to be sure.) Instead, be attentive to what you see and hear during the event, keeping in mind especially the questions you generated on the ORW and thought of which you were there. Following the visit, however, write down--as soon as possible after it's over--everything you can remember about what you saw, heard, and understood. Again I urge you to use the ORW as a guide.
CAUTION: Record general moods or judgements (e.g., “the man in front of me seemed really bored;” “I felt really impressed with people's dedication to their actions”) later, in a separate place (e.g., section C of teh ORW). In describing what you observed, dwell instead on what you actually saw and heard (e.g., “the man’s face gave no indication of any particular interest in what he was doing;” “I was struck by how clearly and loudly everyone was singing this song.”).