REL 242(F) Buddhism: Concepts and Practices*
This introductory course aims at familiarizing students with some of the religious, philosophical, historical, and sociological aspects of Buddhism. We discuss the important ideas of the Buddhist tradition such as no-self, as well as the more personal implications of Buddhist teachings such as suffering and its source, confused emotions, and the possibility of liberation. Buddhism is not, however, just a set of ideas that can be studied in abstraction from their implementation in practice. Hence, we examine the range of Buddhists practices in different traditions and their relation to the social context in which they take place. Of particular interest is the practice of meditation, which is examined in the context of several Buddhist traditions. In this way, the misunderstanding that often surrounds this practice is dispelled and its real value, problems and difficulties are revealed. The course is divided in two parts. In the first half, we examine the ideas and practices of the Theravada tradition and gain a view of what could be described as "basic Buddhism." The second part examines the Mah#y#na tradition, which develops on the basis of the Bodhisattva ideal in India, and follow its developments as it moves to Tibet. Although the main focus is the relation between ideas, practices and contexts, contemporary questions such as gender issues, ecology and social commitment are also discussed. Required books: W. Rahula, What the Buddha Taught; P. Williams, Mahayana Buddhism; S. Bachelor trans., Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life; R. Thurman, The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti; R. Gombrich, Therevada Buddhism; S. Murcott, The First Buddhist Women; G. Bond, The Buddhist Revival in Sri Lanka; A.Wayman, The Lion's Roar of Queen Shrimala. Requirements: two essays. No prerequisites.