Course Outline: ME6210 Special Topic (2): Doctrine of the Study of Abhidharmahṛdayaśāstra, 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: 
ST6210/ME6210 - Special topics in Buddhist studies II
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Elective subject
Recommended Texts: 

Required Textbook

  • Willemen, Charles. The Essence of Scholasticism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2006.

Recommended Texts

  • Bapat, P.V. 2500 Years of Buddhism. Delhi: The Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1959.
  • Bhattacarya, N.N. Buddhism in the History of Indian Ideas. New Delhi: Manohar, 2000.
  • Conze, Edward. Buddhist Thought in India. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1996.
  • Dhammajoti, K.L. Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma. Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong, 2007.
  • Goyal, S.R. A History of Indian Buddhism. Jodhpur: Kusumanjali, 1994.
  • Hazra, Kanai Lal. The Rise and Decline of Buddhism in India. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharalal, 1998.
  • Hirakawa, Akira. History of Indian Buddhism – From Sākyamuni to Early Mahāyāna. Trans. Paul Growner. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1993.
  • Saunders, K.J. Epochs in Buddhist History. Delhi: Pilgrims, 1998.
  • Skilton, Andrew. A Concise History of Buddhism. Birmingham: Windhorse, 2001.
  • Thomas, E.J. The History of Buddhist Thought. 2nd ed. London, Routledge & K. Paul, 1951.
  • Warder, A.K. Indian Buddhism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1997.
Course Organization: 
  • Lecture 1 Origin and development of Buddhism in India.
  • Lecture 2 Spread of Abhidharmic Schools in North-Western India.
  • Lecture 3 Saṃghadeva and the translation of Abhidharmahṛdayaśāstra (the “Heart of Abhidharma.”)
  • Lecture 4 Introduction and establishment of Buddhism to China.
  • Lecture 5 Development of Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma in Gandhara and Kaśmīra.
  • Lecture 6 Continue.
  • Lecture 7 Mahāsaṃghika and other Abhidharmas.
  • Lecture 8 Royal patronage of King Kaniṣka and the Fourth Buddhist council.
  • Lecture 9 “Abhidharma of one body with six feet.”
  • Lecture 10 Explanation of “afflictions” in the Abhidharmhṛdaya.
  • Lecture 11 Kleśa and anuṣaya.
  • Lecture 12 Continue.
  • Lecture 13 Biography of Dharmaśreṣṭhin, Kātyāyanīputra, Dharmatrāṭa and Upaśānta.
  • Lecture 14 Revision.
  • Lecture 15 Viva.
Course Requirements: 

Students are required to write an essay assignment of 3000 words and the subject for the essay will be given during lectures. Marks will be allocated for the Viva Voce 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 preparation of examination. To be eligible to for the examination students must attend the minimum of 80% of the scheduled classes.

Allocation of Marks: 
  • 1. Class participation and attendance 5%
  • 2. Essay Assignment 20%
  • 3. Viva voce Examination 15%
  • 4. Final Written Examination 60%
Course Objectives: 

This course is intended to give knowledge about Sarvāstivāda scholasticism and about the origin and development of Buddhism in North-West of India and in East-Asia. For doctrinal aspects, primary focus will be on the study of Abhidharmahṛdayaśāstra and other Abhidharmic texts.

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