Course Outline: BH201 Early Buddhism - Historical Background, 2011/2012, Semester 1

Basic Data
Program: 
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
First Semester (July 11 – November 12, 2011) Academic year 2011/2012
Subject: 
BH201 - Early Buddhism: Historical Background
Credit / status: 
3 Credits / Core subject
Recommended Texts: 
  • Barua, B.M. Pre-Buddhist Indian Philosophy. Calcutta: Calcutta University, 1921. Print.
  • Basham, A.L. Ed. A Cultural History of India. Oxford: Oxford University, 1975. Print.
  • Dasgupta, S. A History of Indian Philosophy. Vol. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1922. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1963. Print.
  • Hiriyanna, M. An Outline of Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1994. Print.
  • Radhakrishnan, S. Indian Philosophy. Vol. 1. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1958. Print.
  • Vatsayayan. Indian Philosophy. Meerut: Kedar Nath Ram Nath, 1978. Print.
Course Organization: 

The course will be cover the following topics:

  • 1.Introduction to the religious movements-samana and Brahmana during the time of the Buddha
  • 2.Vedic religion (Vedas / or Hindu)
  • 3.Vedic religious and social practices
  • 4.Introduction to Upanishads
  • 5.Soul theory of Upanishads
  • 6.Concepts of Karma and Punarjanma of Upanishads
  • 7.Introduction to Samana movement
  • 8.Philosophical teachings of six heretic teachers
  • 9.Jain or Jaina religions and its practice
  • 10.Buddhist critiques of Brahmanic religious and social views
  • 11.Buddhist critiques of Upanishadic teachings
  • 12.Buddhist critiques of materialistic views
  • 13.Buddhist critiques of Jain or Jaina teachings
  • 14. Identity of early Buddhism
  • 15.Reviewing
Course Requirements: 

The course will be lectured-based and will focus on the Vedic religion (Vedas / Hindu) and its evolution, the emergence of the Upanishads and their central teachings, the rise of samana movement and its heterodox views; and the emergence of Buddhism and its relation to the contemporary Indian religions and philosophies.

Students are required to participate in the viva voce and complete an essay assignment of 1500 words maximum. Class participation includes student presentations of their critical analysis and knowledge of the background of early Buddhism. There is one final written examination. A suitable amount of time will be allocated at the end of the course for review and for the preparation of examination. To be eligible to sit for the final examination, students must attend minimum of 80% of the scheduled classes

Allocation of Marks: 
  • Class participation 10 %
  • Quiz 10 %
  • Presentation 15 %
  • Essay assignment 25 %
  • Final written examination 40 %
Course Objectives: 

The purpose of the course is to understand doctrines of early Buddhism from a broad historical perspective.

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