IST3038-1-SU14 - Buddhist Philosophy

Instructor: Jacob N. Kinnard
E-mail: jkinnard@iliff.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment



Course Description:


Buddhism began in a remote corner of the Indian subcontinent some 2500 years ago, and has over the course of its history spread to nearly every corner of the world. Not only has Buddhism shaped the thought, culture, and consciousness of Asia, however, it has also influenced the West in significant ways. This course is an exploration into the rich history, the doctrines and practices, and the various manifestations of the Buddhist tradition. Buddhism has always been culturally and historically embedded, and therefore we shall approach Buddhism from several different angles - historical, cultural, ritual, philosophical, and artistic - in an attempt to comprehend the religion in all of its diversity. We will begin with an investigation into the social and religious context of 5th century BCE India out of which the Buddha emerged, and then progress to an exploration of Buddhism’s philosophical basis in the early teachings of the Buddha in India, and the various important interpreters of these teachings. We will then turn to an investigation of the early social and religious structure of the Buddhist community, and trace the changes in this community - and the changes in the Buddha’s original formulation of his teachings - as Buddhism spread out from India, to Nepal and Tibet, to Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand, to China and Japan, and eventually to Europe and America.  


Books for the Course:


All readings will be made available by the instructor. 

Course Goals:


  1. to acquaint you with the basic history, beliefs and practices of the Buddhist tradition
  2. to familiarize you with key Buddhist concepts
  3. to help you think critically about the differences between various Buddhist sub-traditions and schools
  4. to expose you to some of the key debates and disputes within historical and contemporary Buddhism 
Course Objectives:


  1. You will gain an understanding of Buddhist history, philosophy, and practices.
  2. You will learn about the commonalities and differences between different Buddhist traditions.
  3. You will learn about the position of women in different Buddhist traditions.
  4. You will be introduced to Buddhist art, be able to identify its key characteristics, and understand how these function within different Buddhist contexts.

Evaluation:

Grades will be based on:  1. One take-home mid-term exam of approximately 8 pages, which will count for 40% of the final grade (the content of this exam will presuppose attendance at all class meetings and thoughtful completion of all reading assignments); 2. One take-home final exam of approximately 8 pages , which will count for 40% of your final grade; 3. Participation , which will count for 20% of your final grade. In order to receive a passing grade in this course, you must complete all assignments.

Course Topics and Readings:

Monday 28 July:  Introduction to the Course and the Ancient Indian Milieu

Tuesday 29 July: The Life of the Buddha and the Doctrinal Foundations of the Tradition

- Reading:  Kinnard, The Emergence of Buddhism , xi-70: Emergence of Buddhism 1.pdf ; Emergence of Buddhism 2.pdf .

Wednesday 30 July: Doctrinal Complications and the Life of the Sangha and the Laity

- Reading: Kinnard, The Emergence of Buddhism , 71-86; Peter Harvey, “Early Developments in Buddhism,” 73-94: Emergence of Buddhism 3.pdf ; Harvey, Ch. 4.pdf .

Thursday 31 July: The Spread of Buddhism

- Reading: Kinnard, The Emergence of Buddhism , 87-132; Peter Harvey, “The Later History and Spread of Buddhism,” 139-69: Emergence of Buddhism 4.pdf ; Harvey, Ch. 7.pdf . Skandhas.pptx .

Friday 1 August: The Continuing Presence of the Buddha

- Reading: Kinnard, “The Field of the Buddha’s Presence,” 117-144 ; Paul Williams, Mahāyāna Buddhism , 167-83 .

First Exam

Monday 4 August: Mahāyāna Doctrine

- Reading: Paul Williams, Mahāyāna Buddhism , 37-54, .

First Exam Due

Tuesday 5 August: More Mahāyāna Doctrine

- Reading: Paul Williams, Mahāyāna Buddhism , 77-115.

Wednesday 6 August : Visions of the Buddha

- Reading: Paul Williams, Mahāyāna Buddhism ,167-214.

Thursday 7 August: Zen 101

- Reading: Thomas Kasulis , Zen Action/Zen Person , 3-86.

Friday 7 August: Tantra 101

- Reading: John Powers, 219-82.

Second Exam Handed Out

Monday 11 August - Second Exam Due

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