Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0152 - Introduction to Buddhism

Spring
2018
1
4.00
Tashi Tsering
02:30PM-03:50PM W;02:30PM-03:50PM F
Hampshire College
325882
Franklin Patterson Hall 106;Franklin Patterson Hall 106
ttHA@hampshire.edu
As both a religion and a philosophy, Buddhism relies mainly on reason and logic. It emphasizes the cultivation of mental peace and seeks to reduce negative emotions through the application of such methods as calm abiding, analytical meditation, fourfold mindfulness, and introspection. Not only does it seek to reduce negative emotions, but it also upgrades positive emotions through training in loving kindness, compassion, enlightened mind, and the six perfections. Buddhism teaches that any physical, verbal, or mental activity done with good motivation and skillful means is always virtuous and wholesome. In this course, we will also consider Buddhist distinctions between conventional truth (as for example the experience of the gross phenomenon of a vase) and the ultimate truth of emptiness (sunyata) from the standpoint of four distinct Indian and Tibetan philosophical schools. Other topics to be considered include: the wandering of and liberation from cyclical existence, karma, the four noble truths, paths of liberation, the doctrine of dependent origination, and impermanence.
Culture, Humanities, and Languages Multiple Cultural Perspectives In this course, students are expected to spend an additional 6-8 hours on work and preparation outside of class time.
Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.