RELI 229
Fall 2024
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
CEAS 343, WLIT 273, GSAS 229 |
This course serves as an introduction to major themes of Buddhist thought and practice within the cultural and historical framework of Tibet and the wider Himalayan world. In doing so, it examines various approaches to the study of religion and questions traditional definitions of categories such as "religion" and "Buddhism" themselves. Beginning with a close study of Patrul Rinpoche's classic 19th-century guide to Tibetan Buddhism, the early part of the course focuses on the doctrinal foundations of the tradition. This is followed by a historical and more critical examination of Tibetan religious history, proceeding from Buddhism's Indian antecedents and its initial arrival in Tibet during the seventh century through the present day. The course will explore a wide range of Tibetan religious cultures and practices including Buddhist ethics, systems of monastic and ascetic life, ritual activities, sacred geography and pilgrimage, lay religion, as well as the status of Tibetan Buddhism under Chinese occupation and in the West. It will also examine the lesser-known communities of Tibetan Muslims and Christians inside Tibet and in exile. The majority of readings will consist of primary texts in translation, and will concentrate on Tibet's rich narrative literary tradition. These will be supplemented by secondary literature on the study of religion and Tibetan Buddhism. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| 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) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Katia Buffetrille. "Self-Immolation in Tibet: Some Reflections on an Unfolding History"
José Cabezón. "Identity and the Work of the Scholar of Religion"
Georges Dreyfus. THE SOUND OF TWO HANDS CLAPPING
Brendan Gapleau. "A Tibetan Catholic Christmas in China: Ethnic Identity and Encounters with Ritual and Revitalization"
Rupert Gethin. FOUNDATIONS OF BUDDHISM
Donald S. Lopez, Jr. PRISONERS of SHANGRI-LA
Derek Maher. "The Dalai Lamas and State Power"
Patrul Rinpoche. WORDS OF MY PERFECT TEACHER
Andrew Quintman, transl. THE LIFE OF MILAREPA
Rohit Singh. "Reimagining Tibet Through the Lens of Tibetan Muslim History and Identity"
Sam Van Schaik. TIBET: A HISTORY
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Examinations and Assignments:
4 short reading responses
2 short written projects (3 pages each)
Midterm Exam; Final Exam
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Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills the "Historical Traditions" requirement for the Religion Department major. |
| Instructor(s): Quintman,Andrew H Times: ..T.R.. 10:20AM-11:40AM; Location: SCIE150; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 1 | JR major: 1 | | |
| Seats Available: -1 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 7 | FR: 7 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 2 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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