RELX102 Hinduism and Buddhism
Note: This information is for 2013, and may have been updated since the Guide to Enrolment was printed.
| Title | Hinduism and Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Code | RELX102 |
| Subject | Religious Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 EFTS |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching Period(s) | First semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZ$) | 749.70 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZ$) | 3,150.00 |
Note: Some RELS papers are also available as RELX papers through the Distance Learning Programme.
Prescription
The ancient origins, classical traditions and contemporary forms of Hinduism and Buddhism including Hindu mythology, teachings of the Buddha, religious disciplines such as yoga and meditation, expression of devotion in art and architecture, spread of Indian religions to the West.
Restriction: RELS 102
Schedule C: Arts and Music, Theology
Course overview
By most measures perhaps a quarter of the world's population can be described as either Hindu or Buddhist, and many more live in cultures deeply influenced by these religious traditions over the past two to three thousand years. The origins of Hinduism lie in the religious practices of the people who composed and preserved texts they called Veda, as those have been modified by extended interchange with other groups in India. While the Veda has retained its importance until the present, in later centuries Hinduism has taken on a very different appearance to the religion of the Veda. This first part of this paper will trace both the conceptual and historical continuities and examine the introduction of new elements in Hinduism over this long period, including the development of new religious movements of Hindu origin in the twentieth century.
For several centuries, Buddhism has had only a marginal presence in its country of origin, India. Buddhism has, however, been India's most successful cultural export, and flourishes as the majority religion in several other Asian countries. The second part of this paper will begin by considering the life and legend of the Buddha, and the development and eventual decline in India of the religion he taught. One of the main schools of Indian Buddhism, the Theravada school of Buddhism, prides itself on adhering to the 'way of the elders', that is, the Buddha's path as it was remembered by his earliest followers. The paper will examine the history and present condition of Theravada Buddhism in some of the countries of South- and South-East Asia where it has long been the dominant religion (Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand), and will conclude with the development of Theravada monasticism and lay meditation movements in the West.
This paper is taught by distance via the internet. The paper is also available on campus as RELS 102.
Lecturers
Dr Will Sweetman and Dr Ben Schonthal
Prescribed textbook
A course book containing lecture notes, readings and a DVD of film clips is provided to those who are registered for the paper.
Assessment
Contribution to discussion (online) - 20%
Essay (1500 words) - 30%
Final exam (2 hours) - 50%
Course Outline
Download a sample course outline for RELX102 (PDF format)
Timetable
| Location | Dunedin |
| Timetable to be arranged | |