Read key texts on Buddhism, both from scholarly analyzes and sacred texts. Evaluate learning by producing a paper and an annotated bibliography.
OBJECTIVES
Seek understanding on classical teachings and philosophies in various historical schools and contemporary societies of Asian Religions. Choice between the study of Hinduism and Buddhism
Chosen Topic: Buddhism
OUTLINE
HISTORY
Vedic Religion and Sramanas Movement
Gautama Buddha
Early Buddhist doctrinal teachings in their religious context
The Buddhist community and monasticism,
Councils
Ashoka, the Great and Maurya Empire
Expansion
Decline in India
Theravada Renaissance
Worldwide Religion
Southeast Asia
China
Japan
India
Nepal and Bhutan
Sri Lanka
Tibet
Western Countries
Branches
Theravada
Mahayana
Vajrayana
Schools and Sects
Nikaya schools
Nichiren Buddhism
Pure Land Buddhism
Zen
Soka Gakkai
Lamaism
Shingon
Madhyamaka
B. R. Ambedkar & Indian Dalit Buddhism
DOCTRINE
Worldview
Three marks of existence: Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta
Skandha
Cosmology
Samsara & Rebirth
Dharma
Dependent Origination: Paticca-samuppada
Karma
Non-Theism
Liberation from existence
Moksa
Nirvana
Four Noble Truths
The Nature of Suffering -Dukkha
Suffering's Origin - Samudaya
Suffering's Cessation - Nirodha
The Way Leading to the Cessation of Suffering - Marga
Noble Eightfold Path
Wisdom (Pali: pañña)
1. Right view
2. Right intention
Ethical conduct (Pa: s?la)
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
Mental discipline (Pali: sam?dhi)
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration
Buddhist Precepts
Five Precepts
Refrain from taking life.
Refrain from taking that which is not freely given (stealing).
Refrain from sexual misconduct (improper sexual behavior).
Refrain from lying and deceiving.
Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness.
Eight Precepts
Ten Precepts
Patimokkha
Mahayana Precepts
Three Jewels:Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
Practices and Attainment
Buddhahood
Bodhisattva
Four Stages of Enlightenment
Paramitas
Meditation
Laity
Threefold training: Sila, Samadhi, Panna
Texts
Pali Canon
Mahayana Sutras
Tibetan Canon
Lotus Sutra
REFERENCES
·Carrithers, Michael .The Buddha. Oxford University Press, 1986
·Conze, Edward trans., Buddhist Scriptures Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1959
·Mitchell, Donald W. Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience. NY: Oxford University Press, 2002.
·De Bary, William T. The Buddhist Tradition in India, China and Japan. New York: Vintage, 1972
·Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. NY:Cambridge University Press, 1990.
·Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught.Oneworld Publications: Oxford, 1959 (rev 1974).
·Robinson, Richard H & Johnson, Willard L. ed.The Buddhist Religion: An Historical Introduction. Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth Publishing Company 4th ed. 1997
·Watson, Burton, trans. The Essential Lotus: Selections from the Lotus Sutra. NY: Columbia University Press, 2002.
