Description: In this course students will explore the major themes in Buddhist thought and practice. Lectures begin in Iron Age India, with the early teachings ascribed to the historical Buddha. Students will then consider how Buddhism developed in India after the Buddha’s passing and how it became the most widely practiced religion in Asia, with major developments in China, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Toward the end of the course, students will also consider the more recent developments during the transmission of Buddhism from Asia to Europe and America;
Student level: Lower-intermediate;
Related Fields: Asian Studies, Religious Studies, History, Philosophy, Anthropology. Course format: Weekly Lectures;
Requirements: Four short papers; Mid-term exam; Final exam.