Course Outline: BP309 Theravāda Exegetical Tradition, 2011/2012, Semester 2

Basic Data
Program: 
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
Second Semester (December 05, 2011–April 07, 2012) Academic Year 2011/2012
Subject: 
BP309 - Theravāda Exegetical Tradition
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Major Required Subject
Instructor: 
Kapila Abhayawansa教授
Recommended Texts: 
  • Adikaram, E. W. Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon. Colombo: Buddhist Cultural Center. 1994.
  • Carter, J. R. Dhamma: Western Academic and Sinhalese Buddhist Interpretation: A Study of a Religious Concept. Tokyo: Hokuseido, 1978.
  • De Silva, Lily, ed. Dighanikāyāṭṭhakathāṭikā:Linatthavaṇṇnā. Vol. 1. London: PTS, 1970.
  • Gunasekara, L. R. Buddhist Commentarial Literature. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1976.
  • Law, B. C. A History of Pāli Literature. Vol.1. London: Kegan Paul & Trench Trubner, 1953.
  • Malalasekera, G. P. Pali Literature of Ceylon. London: Royal Asiatic society of Great Britain and Ireland, 1928.
Course Organization: 

The course will be lectured based and will focus its attention to a critical and historical study of Theravada exegetical tradition as represented by the Pali commentaries and sub-commentaries. Lesson on the study of commentaries will be arranged in the following manner.

  • Lecture 1 Exegetical techniques found in the canonical literature.
  • Lecture 2 Exegetical techniques found in the pre-commentarial literature such as Nettippakaraṇa and Peṭakopadesa.
  • Lecture 3 Commentarial account on the origin of commentarial tradition.
  • Lecture 4 Date and authorship of the commentaries and sub-commentaries.
  • Lecture 5 Continue.
  • Lecture 6 Life and the activities of the great commentator Buddhaghosa.
  • Lecture 7 Values of the commentaries as source of history.
  • Lecture 8 Exegetical techniques of doctrinal exposition.
  • Lecture 9 Authority of the commentarial exposition.
  • Lecture 10 Relevance of the commentarial exposition to a correct interpretation of the canonical teaching.
  • Lecture 11 Continue.
  • Lecture 12 Authorities quote in the commentaries.
  • Lecture 13 Reference to non-orthodox views.
  • Lecture 14 Critique of non-Buddhist schools of Indian thought.
  • Lecture 15 Review.
Course Requirements: 

All students are expected:

  • 1. To attend minimum of 80% of the schedule classes to be eligible to sit for the final examination.
  • 2. Students are required to write an essay not less than 1500 words.
  • 3. Class Participation.
  • 4. Midterm written examination.
  • 5. Final written examination.
  • 6. For essay writing related helpful guide: http://ibc.ac.th/faqingessayguide
Allocation of Marks: 
  • 1. Class participate 5%
  • 2. Essay assignment 15%
  • 3. Midterm Examination 20%
  • 4. Final Written Examination 60%
Course Objectives: 

This course is intended to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the Theravāda exegetical tradition and its dimension. At the end of the course students will be able to achieve a critical understanding of the nature of the commentarial tradition and its contribution to early Buddhist teaching.

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
A Almost Excellent 3.75 85-89
A- Fairly Excellent 3.5 80-84
B+ Very Good 3.25 75-79
B Good 3.0 70-74
B- Fairly Good 2.75 65-69
C+ Fair 2.5 60-64
C Satisfactory 2.25 55-59
C- Minimum Satisfactory 2.0 50-54
D+ Fairly Poor 1.5 40-49
D Poor 1.0 30-39
F Fail 0.0 29 or less
I Incomplete
W Withdrawn
WF Withdrawn because of failure
AU Audit