Religion 269 - BUDDHISM ALONG THE SILK ROAD

Spring
2014
01
2.00
Richard Taupier
M 07:30-09:30
Smith College
40552-S14
SEELYE 109
rtaupier@smith.edu
This course will trace early Buddhism on the Indian subcontinent and its evolution through Central Asia along the Silk Road. We will consider the emergence of the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) Buddhist traditions and their development as they moved into Central and East Asian territories. We will examine Buddhism among the Chinese Northern Wei, Tang and Yuan dynasties, among the Turkic Uighurs and the ethnic Tibetan Tanguts, and finally the eastern and western Mongols and subgroups who practiced Buddhism within the Russian Empire. (E)
Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.