< back Printer Version  
Class Detail:

FA 2010
Asian Studies
ASIAN 230 - Introduction to Buddhism
Section 001
Credits: 4
Requirements & Distribution: HU
Other: Theme, WorldLit
Other Course Info: May not be included in a concentration plan in Philosophy.
Repeatability: May not be repeated for credit.
Cross-Listed Classes:
PHIL 230 - Intro to Buddhism, Section 001
RELIGION 230 - Intro to Buddhism, Section 001
Primary Instructor: Lopez Jr,Donald S

 
(real time availability for all sections)

Over the course of its long history, Buddhism has been the most influential and widely practiced religion in Asia. Beginning in India 2500 years ago, it eventually spread to China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and Mongolia, and to Sri Lanka and throughout Southeast Asia. More recently it has spread to Europe and the Americas. This course is an introduction to the major themes in Buddhist thought and practice. Beginning with the early teachings associated with the historical Buddha, the course will go on to consider the development of the tradition across Asia. The readings for the course will consist entirely of Buddhist texts in translation.

Course Requirements:

  • Attendance at lecture and participation in discussion section (25%)
  • Four two-page papers (25%)
  • Midterm examination (25%)
  • Final examination (25%)

Course Syllabi
Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.

Search for Syllabus
Textbooks/Other Materials (data maintained by department in Wolverine Access)
Note: The Lotus Sutra is required but is listed as optional in case you would prefer not to buy the book. The same text is available free as a pdf at http://www.numatacenter.com/digital/dBET_T0262_LotusSutra_2007.pdf.
ISBN: 9780140447583 Buddhist scriptures, Author: ed. by Donald S. Lopez., Publisher: Penguin [New ed.] 2004
Required
ISBN: 9780199540433 The Bodhicary?vat?ra, Author: S?ntideva ; translated with introduction and notes by Kate Crosby and Andrew Skilton ; with a general introduction by Paul Williams., Publisher: Oxford University Press 2008
Required
ISBN: 9781886439399 The Lotus Sutra, Author: translated from the Chinese of Kum?raj?va (Taish?, Volume 9, Number 262) by Tsugunari Kubo and Akira Yuyama., Publisher: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research Rev. 2nd e 2007
Optional

College of Literature, Science, and the Arts 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI  48109 © 2012 Regents of the University of Michigan