RELS327 Buddhist Thought

Overview

A comprehensive and critical study of the common heritage shared by all Buddhist traditions through examination of the development of Buddhist thought in the Theravada Buddhist textual tradition.

The major components of Buddhist doctrine concerning the origin and nature of the world, the self and soteriology will be examined, as well as fundamental principles of Buddhist ethics and the practical consequence of Buddhist thought in relation to current issues such as the environment. Relationships between the state and the sasana (the Buddhist religion) will be examined from the point of view of Buddhist political theory. Each of these topics will be examined through the lens of the Pali Canon, the authoritative scripture for Theravada Buddhism.

About this paper

Prerequisite

18 200-level RELS or RELX points

Restriction

RELS 227, RELX 227, RELX 327

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Theology

Notes

May not be credited together with RELS230 or RELS330 or RELX230 or RELX330 passed in 2010.

Contact

religion@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion

Teaching staff

To be advised next time paper is offered.

Paper Structure

This paper is divided into six study units:

• Finding a Teacher
• Dependent Arising
• Psychology and the Self
• Buddhist Metaphysics
• Buddhist Epistemology
• Buddhist Society

Assessment:

• Two written assignments (2,000 words) - 25% each
• Online discussion - 10%
• Two-hour examination - 40%

Teaching Arrangements

Campus: Weekly lectures
Distance: Online discussion

Textbooks

Required: John J. Holder (editor and translator). Early Buddhist Discourses (Indianapolis & Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 2006).

Course outline

View a sample course outline for RELS 327

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Communication, Ethics, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• The origin and early development of Buddhist Thought in India
• The early suttas that contain this material
• The distinctive ideas and practices in these suttas
• The critical literature on Buddhist Thought

Skills:

• The ability to locate and critically analyse the teachings in early Buddhist texts
• The ability to research topics using academic texts, journals and other media
• The ability to defend an argument using a variety of methods in writing
• The ability to use the critical literature on Buddhist Thought to support an argument

Timetable

Overview

A comprehensive and critical study of the common heritage shared by all Buddhist traditions through examination of the development of Buddhist thought in the Theravada Buddhist textual tradition.

The major components of Buddhist doctrine concerning the origin and nature of the world, the self and soteriology will be examined, as well as fundamental principles of Buddhist ethics and the practical consequence of Buddhist thought in relation to current issues such as the environment. Relationships between the state and the sasana (the Buddhist religion) will be examined from the point of view of Buddhist political theory. Each of these topics will be examined through the lens of the Pali Canon, the authoritative scripture for Theravada Buddhism.

About this paper

Prerequisite

18 200-level RELS or RELX points

Restriction

RELS 227, RELX 227, RELX 327

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Theology

Notes

May not be credited together with RELS230 or RELS330 or RELX230 or RELX330 passed in 2010.

Contact

religion@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Professor Ben Schonthal

Lecturer: Woramat Malasart

Paper Structure

This paper is divided into six study units:

• Finding a Teacher
• Dependent Arising
• Psychology and the Self
• Buddhist Metaphysics
• Buddhist Epistemology
• Buddhist Society

Assessment:

• Two written assignments (2,000 words) - 25% each
• Online discussion - 10%
• Two-hour examination - 40%

Teaching Arrangements

Campus: Weekly lectures
Distance: Online discussion

Textbooks

Required: John J. Holder (editor and translator). Early Buddhist Discourses (Indianapolis & Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 2006).

Course outline

View a sample course outline for RELS 327

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Communication, Ethics, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• The origin and early development of Buddhist Thought in India
• The early suttas that contain this material
• The distinctive ideas and practices in these suttas
• The critical literature on Buddhist Thought

Skills:

• The ability to locate and critically analyse the teachings in early Buddhist texts
• The ability to research topics using academic texts, journals and other media
• The ability to defend an argument using a variety of methods in writing
• The ability to use the critical literature on Buddhist Thought to support an argument

Timetable