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HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
Comparative Religion
Semester:
1st Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Prof. Eviatar Shulman
Coordinator Office Hours:
Tues 12-13, upon appointment
Teaching Staff:
Prof. Eviatar Shulman
Course/Module description:
The Buddhist path is based on a combination of ethics, meditation and philosophy or the development of wisdom, a connection that does not necessarily make intuitive sense. Why would philosophy change the human condition? Is philosophy moral and is morality philosophical? How does meditation fit in, and is it in itself a form of ethical or philosophical activity.
These questions will be discussed in light of recent scholarly works and primary sources, with the following focuses - (a) early Buddhism, (b) early Mahayana in the advice Nagarjuna provides to his king in the Ratnaavalii, (c) mature Mahayana in the Introduction to the path of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, and (hopefully, time providing - d) Tibetan Buddhism and its formulation of the Lam Rim.
This is an MA course open to advanced BA students with a particular interest in Buddhism and Indian Studies.
Course/Module aims:
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. To understand the logic behind Buddhist ethical vision.
2. To develop their own positions regarding ethical concerns.
3. To analyze primary and secondary sources.
Attendance requirements(%):
100
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Discussion based on readings, lectures, and student presentations.
Course/Module Content:
A full description of classes will be uploaded close to the start of the semester. Generally -
1-3. The early Buddhist path and the role of ethics and philosophy.
4-5. Contemporary problems in Buddhist ethics.
6-7. Nagarjuna's advice to the king in the Ratnaavalii.
8-10. Shatideva and the Bodhisattva path.
11-12. Lam Rim.
Required Reading:
Readings in the first classes will be derived from -
Davis, Jake H., and Flanagan, O. (2017. A Mirror Is for Reflection: Understanding Buddhist Ethics, OUP.
Garfield, J. (2022). Buddhist Ethics: A Philosophical Exploration. OUP
Heim, M. (2020). Buddhist Ethics. Cambridge : Cambridge University Pres
readings in Nagarjuna will be accompanied by -
Stepien, R. (2024). Buddhism Between Religion and Philosophy: Nāgārjuna and the Ethics of Emptiness. OUP
Readings in Shantideva will be accompanied by -
Harris, S. E. (2024). Buddhist Ethics and the Bodhisattva Path: Śāntideva on Virtue and Well-Being, Bloomsbury Academic Publishing
as well as chapters from -
Gold, J., and Duckworth, D. (2019). Readings of Śāntideva's Guide to Bodhisattva Practice
New York: Columbia University Press.
Some adaptations will be made in relation to students; interests
Additional Reading Material:
There will be extra readings recommended.
Presentation will define -
(1) the general topic.
(2) the main argument.
(3) Two minor arguments.
(4) The opinion of the presentor.
Grading Scheme :
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Home Exam / Referat 34 %
Submission assignments during the semester: Exercises / Essays / Audits / Reports / Forum / Simulation / others 33 %
Presentation / Poster Presentation / Lecture 33 %
Additional information:
final paper is 4-5 pages. One presentation of reading materials joined by a 1-2 page summary will be submitted. Weekly responses on moodle are required
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