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Religious
Studies 2276 EL Indian Buddhism This course examines the origin and development of
Buddhism in India with emphasis on its doctrines, monastic practices and
techniques of meditation. Students may not retain credit for both RLST 2275
& 2276. (S) (lec 3) cr
3 Mondays & Wednesdays 2012W Instructor: Jack C. Laughlin Course Requirements Term Essay: 20% Midterm Exam: 20% Group Presentation: 20% Some Rules for My Class Attendance "Punctual and
regular attendance at all academic exercises is expected from all students.
After a lecture has begun, students may not be admitted to a classroom
without the instructor’s permission. The instructor must be notified of all
extenuating circumstances that result in a student’s absence. Absences in the
excess of 20% of course time may jeopardize receipt of credit for the
course." (LU Academic Calendar, p. 20.) Academic
dishonesty "The
University treats offences of academic honesty (i.e. plagiarism, cheating,
and impersonation) as very serious matters. Penalties for such offences are
very strictly enforced. A copy of the complete Policy Statement on Academic
Dishonesty is available from the office of the Secretary of Senate." (LU
Academic Calendar, p. 22.) Your Gadgets No phones, no media players or
recorders and headphones, no laptops or other computing devices, and no other
electronic technologies are to be used in my classroom save for those
requested through the Special Needs Office. Deadlines If you are unable to complete your
term assignment on time, you must inform me no less than one week in
advance. Without prior permission, no
assignment will be accepted late. I
reserve the right to penalize late submissions to whatever degree I deem
appropriate. Five Questions to Bear
in Mind throughout the Course How did the understanding of
Buddhahood change over time in India? How did the understanding of
fundamental truth (ie. in terms of the dharma)
change over time in India (and so the rest of the Buddhist world)? How are we to understand the
relationship between the Buddhist monastic and lay communities? How are to understand the
relationship between normative Buddhist practice (ie.
monasticism) and Buddhist popular devotional practice? How did the Buddhist community
respond to “the absence of the Buddha” over time in India? Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Brief
Remarks on Buddhahood Background
to the Rise of Buddhism Maps
of India Week 3 The
Story of the Buddha The
Jatakas The Life of Siddhartha Gautama Reading: Week 4 The
Absence of the Buddha King Ashoka
& The Monk Upagupta Reading: Romila Thapar.
"Ashoka and Buddhism." Past
and Present 18 (Nov. 1960):43-51. Week 5 The
Absence of the Buddha The Buddhist Relic Cult &
Images of the Buddha Reading: Week 6 Buddhahood
in Mahayana Reading: Week 7 Buddhahood
in Vajrayana Wednesday
15 February - Midterm Exam Week 8 Study Week Week 9 The Sangha I Monastic life Reading: Wednesday
29 February - Presentations: Groups 1 & 2 Week 10 The Sangha II Buddhist Meditation Reading: Wednesday
7 March - Presentations: Groups 3 & 4 Week 11 The
Dharma I The Four Noble Truths No Self and Dependent Origination Reading: Wednesday
14 March - Presentations: Groups 5 & 6 Week 12 The
Dharma II Emptiness and
Buddha Nature Reading: Wednesday
21 March - Presentations: Groups 7 & 8 Week 13 The
Dharma III Modern Buddhism – Navayana & Engaged Buddhism. Reading: TBA Week 14 Review Monday
2 April – Term Essay Due |
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