click here to review images of the Wheel of Existence

click here to access descriptions of midterm, paper, and final exam

click here to access vocabulary lists required for the final exam in a formatted .pdf file
 
Red Buddha Om Mani Padme Hum Green Buddha

Tu Th 12:30-1:50, Peterson 103



Professor Richard S. Cohen

click to contact

Emily Carroll will be holding office hours on
Monday, from 12-1, in Lit 323


click here for pdf version of syllabus

Books Required for this Class


Student Responsibilities
 
first ssay
 30% I will describe the assignment in early October. due November 8
second essay
 40% I will describe the assignment in mid November. due December 6
final exam
 25% This exam covers the entire quarter. It is all short answer and should take only one hour to complete.
Monday, December 10: 3:00-4:00
participation  5%    

To pass the course, you must complete all assigned work in a timely fashion.
 



Schedule of Readings and Lectures


Sept. 27 Imagining Buddhism


Oct. 2
Setting the Scene: Buddhism and the Religions of India
Reader #1, #2, #3, #4


Oct. 4
A Buddha in the Making: Lifetimes of Wisdom and Compassion
Reader #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 112-119

click here to review images of the Wheel of Existence


Oct. 9 Sakyamuni Buddha's Life
Reader #12
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 7-27


Oct. 11
The First Sutra
Reader #13
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 59-84


Oct. 16 Sakyamuni Teacher, Sakyamuni Trickster 
Reader #14, #15, #16, #17
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 133-162, 202-223


Oct. 23
Fire


Oct. 25
Fire


Oct. 30 Bodily Discipline, Social Discipline: The Institutionof the Sangha
Reader #18
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 85-111


Nov. 1
Religious Ideology, Social Practice, Buddhist Nuns
Manimekhalai (I will not assign specific pages for eachclass, but make sure to finish the book by the midterm. You can skip pp.152-162)


Nov 6.  25
The Quintessence of Buddhist Civilization
Manimekhalai


Nov. 8
The Varieties of Meditative Practice
Reader #19, #20, #21
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 163-201
first essay due


Nov. 13
Disputes, Councils, Schisms, and Nastiness of All Sorts 
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 35-58


Nov. 15
Origins of the Mahayana 
Reader #22
Foundations of Buddhism, pp. 224-237


Nov. 20
The Mahayana Bodhisattva: Compassion and Skillful Means 
Vimalakirti (I will not assign specific pages for each class, but make sure to read the entire book.)


Nov. 22 Thanksgiving


Nov. 27 The Mahayana Multiverse 
Vimalakirti


Nov. 29
Tantrayana: Doctrinal Formulae

Reader #23, #24, #25, #26


Dec. 4
Tantric Power and Practice

Reader #27, #28


Dec. 6
The End of Buddhism in India

Reader #29

second essay due


Dec. 10
FINAL EXAM, 3:00 - 4:00 pm in Peterson 104