Course Descriptions
PHIL 318 Buddhist Philosophy (4 semester credits)
The intention of this course is to provide a thorough introduction to the principle concepts and theories of Theravadin and Mahayana philosophy. We will spend the first three weeks studying the fundamental doctrinal and philosophical ideas of the Theravada as found in the Pali Tripitaka. During the remainder of the course we will examine the ideas of the classic Mahayana systems, especially the Madhyamika and Yogacara.
An effort will be made to understand these systems from Western intellectual perspectives and to relate them to the problems of everyday life. We will also consider the development of Buddhist philosophical systems in terms of the changing historical and intellectual situations in which Buddhism found itself in India. The Buddhist doctrines were never intended to be purely theoretical or to be merely speculative undertakings; therefore, it will be appropriate to try to understand them also within the various contexts of Buddhist practice.
This class will meet three times each week.
Requirements
Regular class attendance, active participation in discussions, and completion of readings. Students will write one paper and take one exam.
Readings
Gethin, Rupert. The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford University Press, 1998.
Lopez, Donald. Buddhist Scriptures. New York: Penguin Classics, 2004.
Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught. New York: Grove Press, 1974.
Robinson, Richard & Willard L. Johnson. The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction. Belmont CA: Wordsworth, 2005.
Williams, Paul. Mahayana Buddhism: The Philosophical Foundations. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1989.
Sourcebook of selected articles.
ANTH 330 Contemporary Buddhist Culture (4 semester credits)
This course will emphasize an anthropological approach to the study of Buddhism. We will begin by examining the ancient Indian context within which Buddhism first arose in order to form a background against which we can study the spread of this doctrine from India to Southeast Asia, Japan, and Tibet. This will allow us to develop an informed appreciation of the varieties of the Buddhist experience as it has evolved in a dynamic relationship with its many host civilizations.
The special focus of our study will be the cultures and practices of the Indian, Southeast Asian, Japanese, and Tibetan pilgrims who visit Bodh Gaya. By observing and comparing their traditions we hope to gain an understanding of the relationship between belief, personal practice, and social organization. Students will be expected to master the relevant historical and cultural information while also learning skills associated with the collection, analysis, and presentation of ethnographic material.
This class will meet three times each week.
Requirements
Regular class attendance, active participation in discussion, and completion of readings on time. There will be regular field exercises, one examination, and a final project necessary to complete the course.
Readings
Arai, Paula Kane Robinson. Women Living Zen: Japanese Soto Buddhist Nuns. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Powers, John. Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. Ithaca, NY: Show Lion, 1995.
Robinson, Richard & Willard L. Johnson. The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction. Belmont CA: Wordsworth, 2005.
Swearer, Donald. The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia. State University of New York, 1995.
Sourcebook of selected articles.
HIST 320 History of South Asian Buddhism (4 semester credits)
In this course we will examine the origins and historical developments of the Buddhist tradition, viewed as an integrated complex of changing religious beliefs, practices, and institutions. We will follow the progress of Buddhism through South Asia focusing on its responses to local cultural, political, and economic conditions. We will be concerned with issues of continuity and change, syncretism, and selection as we examine the emergence of various sectarian traditions over time. We will conclude with a study of “Buddhist Revival” in the modern world, analyzing its manifestations and conditions, and discussing the implications this development has for the future evolution of the tradition.
This class will meet three times each week.
Requirements
Regular attendance, completion of reading assignments on time, and participation in class discussions. There will be a mid-term and final examination; however, a paper may be substituted for the final exam. This should be done before the exam and with faculty approval.
Readings
Harvey, P. An Introduction to Buddhism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
Hirakawa Akira, A History of Indian Buddhism: From Sakyamuni to Early Mahayana. Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi, 1993.
Robinson, Richard & Willard L. Johnson. The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction. Belmont CA: Wordsworth, 2005.
Thapar, Romila. Early India. Berkeley: University of California, 2002.
Sourcebook of selected articles.
LLCH 158 Beginning Hindi (4 semester credits)
This course is designed for people with little or no previous knowledge of Hindi. Primary emphasis will be placed on developing the oral proficiency necessary to converse with native speakers on a variety of subjects. Students will also learn Devanagiri script and acquire a basic knowledge of syntax and grammar, enabling them to read and write simple sentences.
Classes are small enough to allow for maximum interaction and individual attention from the teacher. Besides formal instruction and practice sessions, students will have frequent opportunities to practice and improve language skills with local people. Field trips to important local Hindu sites will be an integral part of the class.
Classes meet in the morning, Monday through Friday. Practice sessions meet three times each week.
Requirements
Regular class attendance, active participation in practice sessions, and completion of assignments on time. Oral and written quizzes will be given throughout the course, with a final examination at the end of the term. In addition, students should spend considerable time each week practicing informally.
Readings
McGregor, R.S. Outline of Hindi Grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Snell, R. and S. Weightman. Teach Yourself Hindi: Complete Course. Teach Yourself Publishing, 2003.
LLCT 159 Beginning Tibetan (4 semester credits)
This course will introduce students to the elementary sentence patterns of modern spoken Tibetan and the writing system in which both the modern and the classical language is written. Emphasis will be primarily upon communicative competence at the elementary level in order to associate with ethnic Tibetans throughout the Himalayan area. A secondary purpose will be to lay the groundwork for eventual further study of Tibetan Buddhist texts.
Classes are small enough to allow for individualized instruction and maximum interaction with the teacher. Besides formal language instruction, there will be opportunities to practice and improve language skills through contact with native-speaking Tibetans.
Classes will meet in the morning, Monday through Friday. Practice sessions meet three times each week.
Requirements
Regular class attendance, active participation in practice sessions, and completion of assignments on time are expected. Oral and written quizzes will be given throughout the course, with a final examination at the end of the term. In addition, students should spend considerable time each week practicing informally.
Readings
Das, Chandra. Tibetan-English Dictionary. Delhi: Gaurav Publishing House, 1985.
Thonden, Lobsang. Modern Tibetan Language. Dharamsala: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1984.
RELS 350 Buddhist Meditation Traditions (4 semester credits)
Students will complement their understanding of Buddhist thought and culture through the study and practice of traditional meditation disciplines. This course emphasizes the history, characteristics, and approach of three distinct traditions within Buddhism. Throughout the course students are required to contextualize their experiences and relate them to philosophic models appropriate to each practice.
The major Buddhist schools have each developed characteristic techniques of meditation. Students will receive training in three of these: Vipassana, Zazen, and Dzogchen. Instruction is given by representatives of these traditions who possess a theoretical as well as practical understanding of their discipline. Each segment of this course will last for three weeks, with the instructors giving lectures and conducting personal interviews as well as leading group practice.
Classes will meet every morning and evening. In conjunction with the meditation practice, students will participate in a weekly seminar. Topics include historical and cultural background for each tradition, as well as a careful consideration of how the practices relate to Buddhist philosophy.
Requirements
Regular attendance of practice sessions and a consistent effort in applying each of the meditation techniques are required. Each participant will also be required to attend seminars, complete the necessary background reading and write three short papers in which one’s experience and the theoretical framework of each tradition are carefully examined.
Readings
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. Present Fresh Wakefulness: A Meditation Manual on Nonconceptual Wisdom. Rangjung Yeshe Publications, 2002.
Goldstein, Joseph. The Experience of Insight. Boulder: Shambhala. 1987.
Suzuki, Shunryu. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. New York: Weatherhill, 1973.
Sourcebook of articles.
BUDI 396 Independent Study: Selected Topics (4 semester credits)
After nine weeks of class in Bodh Gaya, students spend a month working on an independent study project. This is the student’s opportunity to select a subject of special interest and pursue it in depth. These projects may be approached through a variety of academic disciplines and often involve travel in India.
Antioch faculty carefully supervise the planning of each independent study project, but emphasis is placed on student initiative in both the design and execution of this work. The project culminates in a written report, which is presented when the student returns to Bodh Gaya at the conclusion of the program in December.
Examples of past independent study projects include:
Title: Academic Discipline
The Marks of Buddhah: Religion
The “Tibet Question”: Political Science
A Nunnery in Nepal: Religion
Phenomenology of Vipassana Meditation: Psychology
Tibetan Medicine: Anthropology
Role of Music in Tibetan Ritual: Music
Teaching Buddhist Values: Education
Body/Mind Paradigms in Vajrayana: Psychology
Newari Temple Construction: Art History
Pilgrimage in North India: Anthropology
Theravadin Abhidhamma: Philosophy
Buddhist-Christian Dialogue: Religion
Dharma and Development: Political Science
