Tibetan Buddhism
RELI 343
Fall 2007 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
EAST 343 |
| Course Cluster: Southern Asia Studies |
For centuries Tibet and Tibetan Buddhists have held an allure and mystique in the minds of Westerners and others that is akin to the magical kingdom of Shangri-La. This seminar will seek to explore the realities as well as the myths of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. After a brief review of Indian Mahayana Buddhism, we shall survey the geographical, cultural, and religious background of Tibet prior to the advent of Buddhism there, surveying the origins of the Tibetan people and the pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. Thereafter, focusing on the introduction of Buddhism and its subsequent development there, we will attempt to explore Tibet's complex interface of religion, culture, and politics. To illuminate our discussions of Buddhist teachings as they are interpreted and practiced within the Tibetan framework and to gain an appreciation of the distinctly Tibetan flavor of Buddhist tantric theory and practice, we shall draw both upon a number of sacred biographies of Tibetan sages as well as upon certain specific Tibetan Buddhist rituals. Finally, we will look at the contemporary situation of Tibetans today. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CEAS-MN)(CEAS)(CEAS-Phil/Reli)(GSAS-MN)(GSAS)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
Major Readings:
J. Avedon, IN EXILE FROM THE LAND OF SNOWS
Dali Lama, THE WORLD OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM
J. Powers, INTRODUCTION TO TIBETAN BUDDHISM
Trungpa Tulku & F. Fremantle, THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD
D. Lopez, PRISONERS OF SHANGRI-LA
J. Willis, ENLIGHTENED BEINGS
Lama Thubten Yeshe, INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA
J. Hilton, LOST HORIZON
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Examinations and Assignments:
One short essay; a take-home midterm exam, final essay. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
RELI242 required. |
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