Course Outline: ME6213 The Śūnyatā Doctrine in Nāgārjuna's Mūla-madhyamaka-kārikā , 2010/2011, Semester 1
Required Textbook:
- Kalupahana, David J. Nāgārjuna: The Philosophy of the Middle Way. New York: State University, 1986.
Recommended/Reference Texts
- Arnold, Dan. “Madhyamaka Buddhism.” The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. November 3, 2006 http://www.iep.utm.edu/b/b-madhya.htm
- Batchelor, Stephen. Trans. Mulamadhyamakakarika: Romanization and Literal English Translation of the Tibetan Text. Sharpham College, April 2000. htp://www.sharpham-trust.org/verses_from_the_centre.htm November 23, 2006.
- Berger, Douglas. “Nagarjuna.” The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. November 3, 2006 http://www.iep.utm.edu/n/nagarjun.htm
- Della Santina, Peter. Causality and Emptiness：The Wisdom of Nagarjuna. Singapore: Buddhist Research Society. 2002. http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~dsantina/
- Garfield, Jay L. The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
- Inada, Kenneth K. Nāgārjuna: A Translation of its Mūlamadhyamakakārikā with an Introductory Essay. Delhi: Sri Satguru, 1993.
The course will be taught according the following topics, each week one topic. It is a traditional lecture based course, however students are encouraged to ask questions in the class. Students must read the require text book (Kalupahana, The Philosophy of the Middle Way).
- 1. The background of the arising Mahāyāna (read introduction chapter pp:1-7)
- 2. The Emergence of Madhyamaka (pp: 8-19)
- 3. Nāgārjuna and Mūla-Madhyamakakārikā (MMK pp: 26-81)
- 4. Causes and Effects: study the first chapter of MMK
- 5. Study Chapter 2 and 3
- 6. Study Chapter 4 and 5
- 7. Nāgārjuna’s critique on the theory of moments
- 8. “Dependent co-arising”
- 9. Examination of Bondage and Release
- 10. Examination of Karma and Effect
- 11. Examination of Buddha’s teachings
- 12. Chapter 24: Examination of The Four noble truth
- 13. Nirvāṇa and Saṃsāra are not Two (chapter 25)
- 14. Madhyamaka and its later development
- 15. Review
Students require to read the assigned textbook according the course plan. The MMK (Mūla-madhyamaka-kārikā) consists of 27 chapters. Two short essays (around 5 pages, double space with footnotes and bibliography) and two presentations (based on essay) are required, thus each student is advised to concentrate on two chapters of MMK respectively. The presentation will be 10 to 20 minutes. After presentation there will be question and answer session. Each student must ask at least one question after presentation.
For essay writing guide, read my article online at: http://www.thanhsiang.org/faqing/essayguide
- Two Presentations 10%
- Two Short Essays 30%
- Final written exam 60%
Upon completion of this course the student will:
- 1. Understand the basic concepts of Madhyamaka such as “emptiness” (śūnyatā), “two truths”.
- 2. Understand the essential history and major issues of Madhyamaka.
- 3. Understand the different methodologies used by Nāgārjuna to response to the diversity of Abhidharmikas.
- 4. Be able to write academic essay and present ideas critically.
All tests, assignments and examinations are graded as follows with grade point and numerical marks:
| Grade | Performance | Grade value | Percentage Equivalence |
| A | Excellent | 4.0 | 90-100 |
| B+ | Very Good | 3.5 | 80-89 |
| B | Good | 3.0 | 70-79 |
| C+ | Fairly Good | 2.5 | 60-69 |
| C | Fair | 2.0 | 50-59 |
| D+ | Poor | 1.5 | 40-49 |
| D | Very Poor | 1.0 | 30-39 |
| F | Fail | 0.0 | 29 or less |
| I | Incomplete | ||
| W | Withdrawn | ||
| WF | Withdrawn because of failure | ||
| AU | Audit | ||