printer friendly pageRELIGST 252A: The Story of a Buddhist Megascripture: Readings in the Avatamsaka (RELIGST 352A)
In this course we will explore the massive Mahayana Buddhist scriptural compilation known as the Avatamsaka Sutra (more correctly: Buddhavatamsaka Sutra). We will investigate the development of the text in India, study its contents, and consider its later reception in East Asia. Since much of the course will be devoted to reading sections of the Buddhavatamsaka, a reading knowledge of Chinese is required.
Last offered: Spring 2014
RELIGST 253: Mountains, Buddhist Practice, and Religious Studies (RELIGST 353)
The notion of the sacred mountain. Readings from ethnographic and theoretical works, and primary sources.
Last offered: Autumn 2008
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum
RELIGST 254: Recent Contributions to Buddhist Studies (RELIGST 354)
This reading intensive course will examine nine areas in recent work in Buddhist studies, including ethnography, archaeology, monasticism, the study of "experience," and gender. May be repeated for credit.
Last offered: Autumn 2014
| Repeatable
for credit
RELIGST 255: Religion and Power in the Making of Modern South Asia (HISTORY 297F, RELIGST 355)
This course examines the diverse ways that religious traditions have been involved in the brokering of power in South Asia from the late seventeenth century to the present day. We will examine the intersection of religion and power in different arenas, including historical memory, religious festivals, language politics, and violent actions. At the core of our inquiry is how religion is invoked in political contexts (and vice-versa), public displays of religiosity, and the complex dynamics of religion and the state. Among other issues, we will particularly engage with questions of religious identity, knowledge, and violence. Undergraduates must enroll in
RELIGST 255 for 5 units. Graduate students must enroll
RELIGST 355 for 3-5 units. HISTORY297F must be taken for 4-5 units.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-5
| UG Reqs: GER:EC-GlobalCom, GER:DB-Hum, WAY-SI, WAY-EDP
Instructors:
Truschke, A. (PI)
RELIGST 256: The Brahma Net Sutra (Fanwang Jing) (RELIGST 356)
A study of an important Chinese Buddhist apocryphal work, with special attention to interpretation of content, impact on monastic codes in medieval China, transmissional history and commentarial tradition.
Last offered: Winter 2014
RELIGST 257: Readings in Daoist Texts (RELIGST 357)
Readings from primary sources. Prerequisite: classical Chinese.
Last offered: Spring 2008
| Repeatable
20 times
(up to 99 units total)
RELIGST 257X: Female Divinities in China (HISTORY 293E, HISTORY 393E, RELIGST 357X)
This course examines the fundamental role of powerful goddesses in Chinese religion. It covers the entire range of imperial history and down to the present. It will look at, among other questions, what roles goddesses played in the spirit world, how this is related to the roles of human women, and why a civilization that excluded women from the public sphere granted them a dominant place, in the religious sphere. It is based entirely on readings in English.
Last offered: Winter 2015
RELIGST 258: Japanese Buddhist Texts (RELIGST 358)
Readings in medieval Japanese Buddhist materials. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: background in Japanese or Chinese.
Last offered: Winter 2013
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum
| Repeatable
for credit
RELIGST 259: Religion and Music in South Asia (MUSIC 186, MUSIC 286)
How music and other arts in South Asia are intertwined with religion. Classical, devotional, folk, and popular examples introduce Gods as musicians, sound as God, music as yoga, singing as devotion, music as ¿ecstasy¿-inducing, music as site for doctrinal argument, music and religion as vehicles for nationalism. Co-taught by professors of Music and Religious Studies, focusing Hinduism and Islam in India, Pakistan, and the diaspora. Music practice along with academic study; guest artists and films; no background required.
Last offered: Spring 2013
RELIGST 260: Buddhism & Modernity (RELIGST 360)
Is Buddhism a philosophy? A mind science? An ancient mystical path? A modern construct? This seminar will evaluate a variety of answers to these questions by exploring how Buddhism has been understood in the modern era. Our primary source materials will range from Orientalist poetry to Zen essays to Insight Meditation manuals to 21st-century films. We will examine how these works shape Buddhism, consider their pre-modern influences, and turn to recent scholarship to discuss how romantic, imperialist, anti-modern, nationalist, therapeutic, and scientific frames depict one of today's most popular religions.nnThis course is cross-listed as
RELIGST 260/360. Undergraduates must enroll in
RELIGST 260 for 5 units. Graduate students must enroll
RELIGST 360 for 3-5 units.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-5
Instructors:
Kaloyanides, A. (PI)
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