Course Outline: BP313 Madhayamaka: The Buddhist Doctrine of Emptiness, 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: 
BP313 - Madhyamaka: The Buddhist Doctrine of Emptiness
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Major Required Subject
Instructor: 
Kapila Abhayawansa教授
Recommended Texts: 
  • Garfield, Jay L. The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way:Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamādhyamakakārikā. New York: Oxford University , 1995.
  • Jamgon Mipham Namgyal Gyatsho. The Adornment of the Middle Way:Shāntarakshita's Madhyamakālankāra with commentary by Jamgon Mipham. New Delhi: Shechen, 2003.
  • Kalupahana, David. J. Mūlamādhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna:The Philosophy of the Middle Way. Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas, 1999.
  • Karma Phuntsho. Mipham’s Dialectics and the Debates on Emptiness. London: Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, 2005.
  • Murti, T. R. V. The Central Philosophy of Buddhism. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1998.
  • Pettit, John W., at al. Mipham's Beacon of Certainty:Illuminating the view of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection. Boston: Wisdom, 1999.
  • Venkata, Ramanan K. Nāgārjuna’s Philosophy. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas, 1998.
  • Wood, Thomas E. Nāgārjuna's Disputations:A Philosophical Journey Through an Indian Looking Glass. Delhi: Indian Book Centre,1995
Course Organization: 

The course is widely based on lectures and the following topics will be discussed:

  • Lecture 1 Survey of Early Buddhism with special reference to Emptiness.
  • Lecture 2 Anātma Doctrine in Early Buddhism and Śūnyatā in Madhyamaka System.
  • Lecture 3 Historical development of Buddhist thought.
  • Lecture 4 Abhidharmikas amd Madhyamakas.
  • Lecture 5 Outline of Madhyamaka Philosophy.
  • Lecture 6 Two extremes and Madhyamā Pratipad.
  • Lecture 7 Catuṣkoṭi and view of Nāgārjuna.
  • Lecture 8 Dialectical method of Nāgārjuna.
  • Lecture 9 Midterm examination
  • Lecture 10 Real meaning of Emptiness.
  • Lecture 11 Madhyamaka identification of Pratītya-samutpāda, Śūnyatā and Madhayamā Pratipad.
  • Lecture 12 The concept of Truth.
  • Lecture 13 Madhyamaka Syllogism.
  • Lecture 14 Madhyamaka Absolutism.
  • Lecture 15 Final revision.
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 participation 05 %
  • 2. Essay assignment 15 %
  • 3. Midterm Examination 20 %
  • 4. Final Written Examination 60 %
Course Objectives: 

This course is intended to provide comprehensive understanding of the Mahāyāna’s view of Emptiness.

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
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