Admission requirements
This course, which is financed by the Numata Chair in Buddhist Studies Fonds, will be offered in the Spring semester of 2018 for MA students and is in principle open to others interested in the field of Buddhist Studies. Students who want to get credits for the course, should register for the course as for regular courses and will have to complete assignements and write a paper. Others should contact prof. dr. J.A. Silk for more information
Classes are on Tuesdays from 19:00 to 21:00. Classes start on February 6. Master Asian Studies students can take this course for either 5 EC or 10 EC. Other students should consult their study advisor whether this course can count towards their degree. All MA students can take this course as an extracurriculair course.
Description
The course deals with the historical development and changes of a Buddhist practice, Contemplation of the Buddha. We will observe how had this practice been received and interpreted across Asia.
The following themes will be discussed in the course:
General introduction to the Buddhānusmṛti and reciting the name of the Buddha
The Buddhānusmṛti of the Theravāda and other Buddhist schools
The Buddhānusmṛti described in Mahāyāna sūtras
Reciting the name of the Buddha in the Lotus sūtra
Debate about the reciting of the name of the Buddha: Is it only one of the meritorious deeds, or a direct path to the “Awakening”
The Buddhānusmṛti of East Asian “Pure Land Buddhism”: A new Chinese interpretation of the Buddhānusmṛti and its Japanese reception.
Course objectives
The goals of this course are to:
- obtain basic knowledge about Buddhist practices and their technical terms
- obtain an overview of the spread of the Buddhism across Asia
Timetable
The timetable is available on the Asianstudies
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Course Load
Class meetings 2 hr x 13 weeks = 26 hrs Individual presentation: 10 hrs
Readings: 70hrs
Paper: 34hrs
TOTAL 140 hrs
For students who wish 10 EC, a much longer and more detailed paper will be required.
Assessment method
Participation in-class, including presentation 40%
Final paper 60%
the final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average combined with the additional requirement that the written paper must always be sufficent (5,5 or higher).
Resit
In order to pass the course, students must obtain an overall mark of 5.50 (=6) or higher. A revised version of the final essay may be written if the student failed. The deadline for this version will be determined in consultation.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for:
- Papers/articles
Reading list
To be announced.
Registration
This course, which is financed by the Numata Chair in Buddhist Studies Fonds, will be offered in the Spring semester of 2018 and is open to all interested in the field of Buddhist Studies without any costs. Students who want to get credits for the course, should register for the course through uSis.
General information about uSis can be found here.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Contractonderwijs