Course Outline: ME6206 Special Topic in Buddhist Studies 1: Early Yogācāra Doctrine of the Three Understandings of the Preparatory Path, 2011/2012, Semester 2

Basic Data
Program: 
Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
Second Semester (December 05, 2011–April 07, 2012) Academic Year 2011/2012
Subject: 
ST6206/ME6206 - Special topics in Buddhist studies I
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Elective subject
Instructor: 
Ven. Dr. Zhen Jue
Recommended Texts: 
  • Abhidharmasamuccaya (of Asaṅga): The Compendium of the Higher Teaching (philosophy). Trans. S. Boin-Webb. Original French trans. Rāhula Walpola. Fremont, California: Asian Humanities, 2001.
  • Deleanu, F. The Chapter on the Mundane Path (Laukikarmārga) in the Śrāvakabhūmi. Tokyo: International Institute for Buddhist Studies of the ICPBS, 2006.
  • Dhammajoti, K. L. Entrance into the Supreme Doctrine. Sri Lanka: Postgraduate Institute of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, 1998.
  • ----. “Sarvāstivāda, Dārṣṭāntika, Sautrāntika and Yogācāra - Some Reflections on Their Interrelation.” Journal of the Centre of Buddhist Studies Sri Lanka, 4 (2006):184–212.
  • ----. “Notes on the Emergence of Mahāyāna and Yogācāra”. Handout of lecture delivered at the University of Hong Kong, 2008.
  • ----. “Aśubha-bhāvanā”. Handout of lecture delivered at the University of Hong Kong, 2008c.
  • ----. Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma. 4th Rev. ed. Hong Kong: Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong, 2009.
  • Jaini, P. S. Collected Papers on Buddhist Studies. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2001.
  • Yokoyama, Koitsu & Hakumyo Niisaku, eds. Sanskrit-Tibetan-Chinese & Tibetan-Sanskrit-Chinese Dictionary of Buddhist Terminology (based on Yogācārabhūmi). Tokyo: Sankibo Busshorin, 1997.
  • Kritzer, R. Vasubandhu and the Yogācārabhūmi: Yogācāra Elements in the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya. Tokyo: International Institute for Buddhist Studies of the International College for Postgraduate Buddhist Studies, 2005.
  • Lusthaus, D. “The Two Truths in Early Yogācāra.” Journal of the Centre for Buddhist Studies Sri Lanka, 7 (2009):101–152.
  • Monier-Williams, M. A Sanskrit-English Dictionary etymologically and philologically arranged with special reference to cognate Indo-European languages. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2002.
  • Nagao, G., & L. S. Kawamura. Mādhyamika and Yogācāra: A Study of Mahāyāna Philosophies: Collected Papers of G.M. Nagao. Suny series in Buddhist studies. Albany: State University of New York, 1991.
  • Pruden, L. M. Trans. Abhidharmakoṣabhāṣyam. Vols. I–VI. By Louis de La Vallée Poussin. (French trans. of L’ Abhidharmakośa de Vasubandhu) Berkeley: Asian Humanities, 1988.
  • Schmithausen, L. Ālayavijñāna: On the Origin and the Early Development of a Central Concept of Yogācāra Philosophy. Tokyo: International Institute for Buddhist Studies, 1987.
  • ----. “On Three Yogācārabhūmi Passages Mentioning the Three Svabhāvas or Lakṣaṇas.” Wisdom, Compassion, and the Search for Understanding: The Buddhist Studies Legacy of Gadjin M. Nagao. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 2000.
  • Silk, Jonathan A. ‘The Yogācāra Bhikṣu’. Wisdom, Compassion, and the Search for Understanding: The Buddhist Studies Legacy of Gadjin M. Nagao. Ed. Jonathan Silk. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 2000.
  • The Tibetan Tripitaka Bstan-Hgyur. The Tibetan Tripitaka (Vol. 109~111). Ed. D. T. Suzuki. Tokyo: n.p., 1957.
  • Wayman, A. “The Rules of Debate According to Asaṅga.” Journal of the American Oriental Society, 78 (1, Jan.–Mar.,1958):29–40.
  • ----. Untying the Knots in Buddhism: selected essays. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass,1997.
Course Organization: 
  • Lecture 1 A brief survey of the Yogācārabhūmiśāstra and notes on the term Yogācārabhūmi.
  • Lecture 2 The Path structure – 5 Paths (mārga), the three understandings and the preparatory path.
  • Lecture 3 Etymological study – the three understandings and the with-outflow understanding (sāsrava-prajñā).
  • Lecture 4 Introduction to the understanding derived from learning (śrutamayī prajñā) as expounded in the Yogācārabhūmiśāstra.
  • Lecture 5 The understanding derived from learning – the extrinsic aspect and the significance of proper learning with respect to the preparatory path.
  • Lecture 6 The correlation of the three understandings with the Yogācāra paradigm of seven mental applications and the system of three levels of Yogācāra meditators.
  • Lecture 7 Introduction to the understanding derived from reflection (cintāmayī prajñā) as expounded in the Yogācārabhūmiśāstra.
  • Lecture 8 The understanding derived from reflection – the aspect of inner practice and the development of dhyāna-s.
  • Lecture 9 Introduction to the understanding derived from cultivation (bhāvanāmayī prajñā) as expounded in the Yogācārabhūmiśāstra.
  • Lecture 10 The understanding derived from cultivation – aspects of inner practice and the Mental Application Leading to Resolve (ādhimokṣiko manaskāra).
  • Lecture 11 Brief survey on the types of tranquility and insight meditation taken up at the stage of developing the understanding derived from cultivation.
  • Lecture 12 Comparative study of meditation practices taken up by each of the three understandings and their significance.
  • Lecture 13 nāma and artha, the two bases of the three understandings and its implications on the Yogācāra doctrine of transformation of basis.
  • Lecture 14 Doctrinal Inheritance from the abhidharma.
  • Lecture 15 Revision.
Course Requirements: 

Students are required to write two essay assignments of 3000 words and the subject for the essay will be given in the classroom. Marks will be allocated for the viva voice examination. The final examination will be held at the end of the course. A suitable amount of time will be allocated at the end of the course for the preparation of examination. To be eligible to sit for the examination students must attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled classes.

Allocation of Marks: 
  • 1. Class participation and attendance 5 %
  • 2. Essay Assignment (2 essays with 3,000 words each) 30 %
  • 3. Viva voce 5 %
  • 4. Final Written Examination 60 %
Course Objectives: 

This course is intended to provide a critical survey of the development of early Yogācāra. Students will gain an adequate knowledge on the various aspects of the doctrine of the three understandings and the role they play with respect to the preparatory path.

Grading: 

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