History of Buddhist Philosophy

Transcription

1 History of Buddhist Philosophy Spring 2015 Syllabus Phil 302 Sec 001 CRN: 1300 MWF 3:00-4:15 PM Edith Kanaka ole Hall 111 Dr. Timothy J. Freeman Office: PB8-3 Office: cell: Office Hours: MWF 12:00-12:50 and by appointment Catalog course description PHIL 302 Hist Of Buddhist Philosophy (3) History of Buddhist philosophy and its cultural influence and intellectual development in Asia and Hawaiʻi. Recommended: previous work in philosophy or religious studies. (GenEd/IntReq: H/A/P, HPP) required texts Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience, 3rd ed. Donald W. Mitchell & Sarah H. Jacoby. Oxford: Oxford University Press, The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nāgārjuna s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, Jay L. Garfield. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Course content This course covers the history of Buddhist philosophy from its inception in ancient India to its modern day development in both Asia and the West. Part One of the course will focus on the development of Buddhism within India. We will begin the life and teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama, the Indian sage who became known as the Buddha, or Awakened One. We will follow the development of Indian Buddhism, focusing first on the early Pali texts that comprise the canon of the Theravāda tradition which continues to thrive in Sri Lanka and throughout Southeast Asia. We will then turn our attention to the great schism that led to the development of the Mahāyāna tradition and its Sanskrit texts which have had such a pervasive influence in shaping the development of Buddhism in both North and East Asia. In Part Two of the course we will follow the further development of Buddhism beyond India. We will begin with the development of Tibetan Buddhism which is based on a combination of Mahāyāna and Tantric teachings

2 imported from India and the indigenous shamanism of Tibet. We will then turn to the development of Buddhism in China where the Mahāyāna teachings from India were combined with strains of Confucian and Daoist teachings from the classical Chinese tradition. We will then follow the development of this eastern Buddhism in both Korea and in Japan. In the last two weeks of the course we will look at modern developments in both Asia and in the West. Student Learning Outcomes [Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to: * respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course; * read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course; * compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information; *identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Buddhist philosophy. Course format Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion with emphasis on informal lecture. There will also be an occasional slide show/multimedia presentation and videos. Classroom Policies * All students are expected to come to class on time and to bring their books as well as paper and pen suitable for taking notes of class lectures. * No laptop computers are to be used during class time. * Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class. * No consumption of food is allowed during the class period. grading policy The final grade will be based on the following: 1. Term Paper (50%) 2. Mid-term Exam (25%) 3. Final Exam (25%) Attendance: More than 3 unexcused absences will negatively impact your grade for the course. Every fourth unexcused absence will result in 10 points deducted from the final grade average. Grading will be determined according to the following scale A Excellent A B B Good B C C Satisfactory C D Poor F 0-59 Failure

3 Advising Statement Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the University and their individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once a semester to decide on courses, check progress towards graduation, and discuss career options and other educational opportunities provided by UH-Hilo. Advising is a shared responsibility, but students have final responsibility for meeting degree requirements. Special needs Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the University Disability Services Office - Student Services Center E215, (V), (TTY), uds@hawaii.edu - as early in the semester as possible. Student Conduct Code All students are expected to adhere to the Student Conduct Code as explained in the University of Hawaii at Hilo Undergraduate Catalog.

4 Part I: Buddhism in India 1 Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy M 01/12 Course Introduction & Orientation W 01/14 Film: Samsara 2 The Life and Basic Teachings of the Buddha M 01/19 Holiday: Martin Luther King Day W 01/21 Background of Indian Philosophy: The Upanishads The Life of Gautama Buddha Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: 6-30) 3 The Teachings of the Buddha M 01/26 Selections from the Pali Canon W 01/28 Selections from the Pali Canon Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: 31-64) 4 Early Buddhism and the Way of the Elders M 02/02 The Three Baskets W 02/04 Meditation and Mindfulness Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) 5 The Great Vehicle: Mahāyāna Buddhism M 02/09 The Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras: The Heart Sutra W 02/11 The Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras: The Diamond Sutra Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) 6 Indian Experiences of Buddhism M 02/16 Holiday: President's Day W 02/18 Abhidharma Philosophies & Mahāyāna Philosophies Nāgārjuna s Middle Way School Reading: (Garfield: 87-99; ) (Mitchell & Jacoby: )

5 7 Indian Experiences of Buddhism M 02/23 The Yogācāra School Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) W 02/25 **Mid-Term Exam** Part II: Buddhism outside India 8 Tibetan Buddhism M 03/02 Dissemination of Buddhism into Tibet Tantra and Vajrayāna Buddhism W 03/04 Major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism Dzokchen Teachings Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) ** March 4: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses with W ** 9 Tibetan Buddhism M 03/09 The Dalai Lama Tibet in the Past Century and New Tibetan Movements W 03/11 Film: Kundun Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) 10 Buddhism in China M 03/16 The Silk Road to China The Six Schools of Early Chinese Buddhism W 03/18 Tiantai Buddhism: The Heavenly Terrace School Huayan Buddhism: The Flower Garland School Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) Spring Recess (March 23-27) 11 Buddhism in China M 03/30 Chan Buddhism: The Meditation School W 04/01 Jingtu Buddhism: The Pure Land School Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: )

6 12 Buddhism in Korea M 04/06 The Advent of Buddhism in Korea W 04/08 The Development of Buddhism in Korea Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) 13 Buddhism in Japan M 04/13 Introduction of Buddhism into Japan The Six Schools of the Nara Period ( ) W 04/15 The Heian Period ( ) Tendai Buddhism Shingon Buddhism Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) 14 Buddhism in Japan M 04/20 The Kamakura Period ( ) Pure Land Buddhism Zen Buddhism Nichiren W 04/22 The Muromachi Period ( ) Zen and Japanese Culture The Tokugawa Period ( ) The Meiji Period ( ) Recent Movements Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) 15 The Globalization of Buddhism M 04/27 Selections from Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac Buddhism and the Possibilities of a Planetary Culture, Gary Snyder W 04/29 The Sun My Heart, Thich Nhat Hanh Selection from Zen Mind, Beginner s Mind, Shunryu Suzuki Reading: (Mitchell & Jacoby: ) 16 The Globalization of Buddhism M 05/04 The Dragon Who Never Sleeps, Robert Aitken W 05/06 M 05/11 Hope For the Future, The Dalai Lama **Final Exam** (2:00-4:00 PM) **schedule is subject to revision**