| Unit name | Mahayana Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS20032 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Emeritus Professor. Williams |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites | |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit is intended to build on previous study of Buddhism in the unit THRS11047 Hinduism and Buddhism or similar. It covers the main ideas of Indian Mahayana Buddhism, and introduces Tibetan and East Asian themes where appropriate. The unit will look at the philosophical and religious foundations of Mahayana Buddhism beginning with the development of Buddhist thought in the centuries after the death of the Buddha. The unit focuses mainly on Indian Buddhism. By the end of the unit you will have a good grounding in the doctrinal dimensions of Indian Mahayana Buddhism, their diversity and how they differ from the perspectives of non-Mahayana Buddhism. You will also be well-equipped to make sense of wider dimensions involving Mahayana, such as Buddhism in China and further East Asia.
The aims of the unit are to:
a) introduce students to the key ideas of Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism; b) develop a good understanding of the doctrinal dimensions of Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism, their diversity and how they differ from the perspectives of non-Mahāyāna Buddhism; c) explore the history and development of Mahāyāna Buddhism and its wider influences.
On successful completion of this unit student will have a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the doctrinal dimensions of Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism. Students will have further refined their skills in assessing, presenting, analysing and evaluating complex ideas and arguments, and in researching and writing essays.
1 x 2 hour seminar per week.
One summative coursework essay of 2500 words (50%) and one unseen examination of two hours comprising 2 questions out of 8 (50%). Both elements will assess knowledge and critical understanding of the doctrinal dimensions of Indian Mahāyāna Buddhism; skills in assessing, presenting, analysing and evaluating complex ideas and arguments, and in researching and writing essays.
Williams, P. Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, second edition (London: Routledge, 2008).
Conze, E. et al., Buddhist Texts Through the Ages (Harper, 1964)
Conze, E. Buddhist Scriptures (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1959)
Lopez, Donald (ed.), Buddhist Scriptures (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 2004).
