History of Buddhist Philosophy

History of Buddhist Philosophy Fall 2007 Syllabus Phil 302 Sec 001 CRN: 11488 MWF 3:00-3:50 PM Kanaka>ole Hall 111 Dr. Timothy J. Freeman OLD GYMN #2 Office: 756-7066 cell: 345-5231 freeman@hawaii.edu Office Hours: MWF 2:00-2:50 or by appointment Bodhisattva with Lotus, Ajanta Caves Catalog course description PHIL 302: History of Buddhist Philosophy History of Buddhist Philosophy and its cultural influence and intellectual development in Asia and Hawai>i. Pre:previous work in philosophy or religious studies is recommended. required text Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience, Donald W. Mitchell. Oxford University Press, 2001. 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. The course is cross-listed in both Philosophy and Religious Studies; and thus, though the bulk of the course will focus on philosophical developments, some attention will be devoted to the development of the religious traditions.

Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Syllabus Part One of the course will focus on the development of Buddhism within India. We will begin the life and teachings of Siddhärtha Gautama, the Indian sage who became known as the Buddha, or AAwakened One.@ We will follow the development of Indian Buddhism, focusing first on the early Pali texts that comprise the canon of the Theraväda tradition which continues to thrive in Sri Lanka and throughout Southeast Asia. We will then turn our attention to the Agreat schism@ that led to the development of the Mahäyäna 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 Mahäyäna and Tantric teachings imported from India and the indigenous shamanism of Tibet. We will then turn to the development of Buddhism in China where the Mahäyäna teachings from India were combined with strains of Confucian and Taoist teachings from the classical Chinese tradition. We will then follow the development of this Aeastern 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. course aims By the end of the course the students will be expected to have attained and demonstrated a satisfactory level of competence in understanding: the basic characteristics of Buddhist Philosophy as distinguished from Western and other Asian Traditions. the distinctive teachings and practices of the various Buddhist traditions. some of the issues that animate the continuing development of Buddhism today. 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.

Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Syllabus grading policy The final grade will be based on the following 1. Mid-Term Exam 2. Essay Paper: a 6-10 page essay paper 3. Final Exam 4. FREQUENT ABSENCES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! A lack of participation in classroom discussion and frequent absences from class will negatively impact your grade. If the student has more than 3 un-excused absences during the course of the term points will be deducted from the final grade average! 20% 50% 30% Grading will be determined according to the following scale: A 95-100 Excellent A- 90-94 B+ 87-89 B 84-86 Good B- 80-83 C+ 77-79 C 74-76 Satisfactory C- 70-73 D 60-70 Poor F 0-59 Failure 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 - Hale Kauanoe A Wing Lounge, 933-0816 (V), 933-3334 (TTY), shirachi@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 on pages 65-66 of the 2007-08 UH Hilo Undergraduate Catalogue

1 Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy M 08/20 Course Introduction & Orientation W 08/22 Film: Baraka F 08/24 Film: Baraka 2 The Life and Basic Teachings of the Buddha M 08/27 Background of Indian Philosophy Selections from the Upaniñads W 08/29 The Life of Gautama Buddha Mitchell (1-32) F 08/31 The Teachings of the Buddha Mitchell (33-63) Selections from the discourses of the Buddha (Sutta Piöaka) 3 Basic Teachings of the Buddha M 09/03 **Holiday: Labor Day** W 09/05 The Teachings of the Buddha Mitchell (33-63) Selections from the discourses of the Buddha (Sutta Piöaka) F 09/07 The Teachings of the Buddha Mitchell (33-63) Selections from the discourses of the Buddha (Sutta Piöaka) **September 9: last day to withdraw from Courses without a AW@ and last day to receive 50% refund** 4 The Theraväda Path M 09/10 The Way of the Elders Mitchell (64-95) Selections from the Pali Canon (Sutta Piöaka and Abhidhamma Piöaka) W 09/12 The Way of the Elders Mitchell (64-95) Selections from the Pali Canon (Sutta Piöaka and Abhidhamma Piöaka) F 09/14 The Way of the Elders Mitchell (64-95) Selections from the Pali Canon (Sutta Piöaka and Abhidhamma Piöaka)

5 The Rise of the Mahäyäna Buddhism M 09/17 The Great Vehicle Mitchell (96-125) Selections from the Prajïäpäramitä Sütras W 09/19 The Great Vehicle Mitchell (96-125) Selections from the Prajïäpäramitä Sütras F 09/21 The Great Vehicle Mitchell (96-125) Selections from the Prajïäpäramitä Sütras 6 The Abhidharma and Mahäyäna Schools M 09/24 The Abhidharma Schools Mitchell (126-130) W 09/26 Nägärjuna and the Mädhyamika School Mitchell (130-138) Selections from Nägärjuna=s Mülamädhyamaka-kärikä F 09/28 Nägärjuna and the Mädhyamika School Mitchell (130-138) Selections from Nägärjuna=s Mülamädhyamaka-kärikä 7 Late Developments of Buddhism in India M 10/01 The Tathägata-garbha Literature and the Yogäcära School Mitchell (139-145) W 10/03 Tantra and the Extinction of Buddhism in India Mitchell (145-150) F 10/05 **Mid-Term Exam** 8 Tibetan Buddhism M 10/08 The Schools and Distinctive Practices of Tibetan Buddhism Mitchell (168-173) Selections from Tantric Texts and the Tibetan Tripitaka W 10/10 The Schools and Distinctive Practices of Tibetan Buddhism Mitchell (168-173) Selections from Tantric Texts and the Tibetan Tripitaka F 10/12 Recent Events in Tibet Mitchell (173-177) ** October 12: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses with AW@**

9 Tibetan Buddhism M 10/15 Film: The Yogis of Tibet W 10/17 Film: The Yogis of Tibet F 10/19 Film: The Yogis of Tibet 10 Buddhism in China M 10/22 The Silk Road to China and the Early Schools Mitchell (178-190) W 10/24 The T=ien-t=ai School Mitchell (190-194) Selections from the Lotus Sütra F 10/26 The Hua-yen School Mitchell (194-200) Selections from the Hua-yen Treatise 11 Buddhism in China M 10/29 The Ch=an School Mitchell (200-206) Selections from the Bodhidharma s Bloodstream Sermon W 10/31 The Ch=an School Mitchell (200-206) Selections from the Platform Sütra F 11/02 The Ching-t=u School (Pure Land Buddhism) Mitchell (206-217) Selections from the Land of Bliss Sütra 12 Buddhism in Japan M 11/05 The Six Schools of the Nara Period Mitchell (241-247) W 11/07 The Heian Period: The Tendai and Shingon Schools Mitchell (247-254) Selections from Kükai F 11/09 The Kamakura Period: Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren Mitchell (254-272) Selections from DÇgen: ShÇbÇgenzÇ

13 Buddhism in Japan M 11/12 **Holiday: Veterans Day** W 11/14 The Kamakura Period: Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren Mitchell (254-272) Zenkei Shibayama: AJoshu=s >Mu=@ F 11/16 Later Developments: The Muromachi, Tokugawa and Meiji Periods Mitchell (272-281) Selections from Hakuin 14 Modern Buddhism in Asia M 11/19 New Buddhist Movements in Asia Mitchell (283-315) Selections from Thich Nhat Hanh, Sulak Sivaraksa, and the Dalai Lama W 11/21 New Buddhist Movements in Asia Mitchell (283-315) Selections from Thich Nhat Hanh, Sulak Sivaraksa, and the Dalai Lama F 11/23 **Non-Instructional Day (no classes)** 15 Buddhism in the West M 11/26 Major Buddhist Traditions in the West Mitchell (316-334) Selection from Shunryu Suzuki Zen Mind, Beginner=s Mind W 11/28 The Experience of Buddhism in the United States Mitchell (334-349) Selection from Shunryu Suzuki Zen Mind, Beginner=s Mind F 11/30 The Experience of Buddhism in the United States Mitchell (334-349) Selection from Shunryu Suzuki Zen Mind, Beginner=s Mind 16 Buddhism in the West M 12/03 AUltimate Reality and the Experience of Nirvana@ Robert Aitken W 12/05 ABuddhism and the Possibilities of a Planetary Culture@ Gary Snyder M 12/10 **Final Exam** (2:00-4:00 PM) **schedule is subject to revision**