Historyof

BuddhistPhilosophy
Fall 2007 Syllabus
Phil 302
Sec 001
CRN: 11488
MWF 3:00-3:50 PM
Kanaka>ole Hall 111

Dr. Timothy J. Freeman

OLD GYMN #2

Office: 756-7066
cell: 345-5231
freeman@hawaii.edu

Office Hours:
MWF 2:00-2:50
or by appointment

Bodhisattva with Lotus, Ajanta Caves

Catalog course description

PHIL 302: History of Buddhist Philosophy
History of Buddhist Philosophy and its cultural influence and intellectual development in Asia
and Hawai>i. Pre:previous work in philosophy or religious studies is recommended.

required text
Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience, Donald W. Mitchell. Oxford University Press, 2001.

Course content
This course covers the history of Buddhist philosophy from its inception in ancient India to its
modern day development in both Asia and the West. The course is cross-listed in both
Philosophy and Religious Studies; and thus, though the bulk of the course will focus on
philosophical developments, some attention will be devoted to the development of the religious
traditions.
Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Syllabus

Part One of the course will focus on the development of Buddhism within India. We will begin
the life and teachings of Siddhrtha Gautama, the Indian sage who became known as the Buddha,
or AAwakened One.@ We will follow the development of Indian Buddhism, focusing first on the
early Pali texts that comprise the canon of the Theravda tradition which continues to thrive in
Sri Lanka and throughout Southeast Asia. We will then turn our attention to the Agreat schism@
that led to the development of the Mahyna tradition and its Sanskrit texts which have had such
a pervasive influence in shaping the development of Buddhism in both North and East Asia.

In Part Two of the course we will follow the further development of Buddhism beyond India. We
will begin with the development of Tibetan Buddhism which is based on a combination of
Mahyna and Tantric teachings imported from India and the indigenous shamanism of Tibet.
We will then turn to the development of Buddhism in China where the Mahyna teachings
from India were combined with strains of Confucian and Taoist teachings from the classical
Chinese tradition. We will then follow the development of this Aeastern Buddhism@ in both Korea
and in Japan. In the last two weeks of the course we will look at modern developments in both
Asia and in the West.

course aims
By the end of the course the students will be expected to have attained and demonstrated a satisfactory
level of competence in understanding:
the basic characteristics of Buddhist Philosophy as distinguished from Western and other Asian
Traditions.
the distinctive teachings and practices of the various Buddhist traditions.
some of the issues that animate the continuing development of Buddhism today.

Course format
Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion with emphasis on informal lecture. There will also
be an occasional slide show/multimedia presentation and videos.

classroom policies
* All students are expected to come to class on time and to bring their books as well as paper and pen suitable
for taking notes of class lectures.
* No laptop computers are to be used during class time.
* Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class.
* No consumption of food is allowed during the class period.
Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Syllabus

grading policy
The final grade will be based on the following

1. Mid-Term Exam 20%

2. Essay Paper: a 6-10 page essay paper 50%
3. Final Exam 30%
4. FREQUENT ABSENCES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! A lack of
participation in classroom discussion and frequent absences from class
will negatively impact your grade. If the student has more than 3
un-excused absences during the course of the term points will be
deducted from the final grade average!

Grading will be determined according to the following scale:

A 95-100 Excellent C+ 77-79

A- 90-94 C 74-76 Satisfactory
B+ 87-89 C- 70-73
B 84-86 Good D 60-70 Poor
B- 80-83 F 0-59 Failure

Advising Statement
Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the
University and their individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once a semester
to decide on courses, check progress towards graduation, and discuss career options and other educational
opportunities provided by UH-Hilo. Advising is a shared responsibility, but students have final
responsibility for meeting degree requirements.

Special needs
Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the
University Disability Services Office - Hale Kauanoe A Wing Lounge, 933-0816 (V), 933-3334 (TTY),
shirachi@hawaii.edu - as early in the semester as possible.

Student Conduct Code

All students are expected to adhere to the Student Conduct Code as explained on pages 65-66 of the 2007-08
UH Hilo Undergraduate Catalogue
Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Course Schedule

1 Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy

M 08/20 Course Introduction & Orientation

W 08/22 Film: Baraka

F 08/24 Film: Baraka

2 The Life and Basic Teachings of the Buddha

M 08/27 Background of Indian Philosophy Selections from the Upaniads

W 08/29 The Life of Gautama Buddha Mitchell (1-32)

F 08/31 The Teachings of the Buddha Mitchell (33-63)

Selections from the discourses of the Buddha (Sutta Piaka)

3 Basic Teachings of the Buddha

M 09/03 **Holiday: Labor Day**

W 09/05 The Teachings of the Buddha Mitchell (33-63)

Selections from the discourses of the Buddha (Sutta Piaka)

F 09/07 The Teachings of the Buddha Mitchell (33-63)

Selections from the discourses of the Buddha (Sutta Piaka)
**September 9: last day to withdraw from Courses without a AW@ and last day to receive 50% refund**

4 The Theravda Path

M 09/10 The Way of the Elders Mitchell (64-95)
Selections from the Pali Canon (Sutta Piaka and Abhidhamma Piaka)

W 09/12 The Way of the Elders Mitchell (64-95)

Selections from the Pali Canon (Sutta Piaka and Abhidhamma Piaka)

F 09/14 The Way of the Elders Mitchell (64-95)

Selections from the Pali Canon (Sutta Piaka and Abhidhamma Piaka)
Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Course Schedule

5 The Rise of the Mahyna Buddhism

M 09/17 The Great Vehicle Mitchell (96-125)
Selections from the Prajpramit Stras

W 09/19 The Great Vehicle Mitchell (96-125)

Selections from the Prajpramit Stras

F 09/21 The Great Vehicle Mitchell (96-125)

Selections from the Prajpramit Stras

6 The Abhidharma and Mahyna Schools

M 09/24 The Abhidharma Schools Mitchell (126-130)

W 09/26 Ngrjuna and the Mdhyamika School Mitchell (130-138)

Selections from Ngrjuna=s Mlamdhyamaka-krik

F 09/28 Ngrjuna and the Mdhyamika School Mitchell (130-138)

Selections from Ngrjuna=s Mlamdhyamaka-krik

7 Late Developments of Buddhism in India

M 10/01 The Tathgata-garbha Literature and the Yogcra School Mitchell (139-145)

W 10/03 Tantra and the Extinction of Buddhism in India Mitchell (145-150)

F 10/05 **Mid-Term Exam**

8 Tibetan Buddhism
M 10/08 The Schools and Distinctive Practices of Tibetan Buddhism Mitchell (168-173)
Selections from Tantric Texts and the Tibetan Tripitaka

W 10/10 The Schools and Distinctive Practices of Tibetan Buddhism Mitchell (168-173)
Selections from Tantric Texts and the Tibetan Tripitaka

F 10/12 Recent Events in Tibet Mitchell (173-177)

** October 12: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses with AW@**

Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Course Schedule

9 Tibetan Buddhism
M 10/15 Film: The Yogis of Tibet

W 10/17 Film: The Yogis of Tibet

F 10/19 Film: The Yogis of Tibet

10 Buddhism in China
M 10/22 The Silk Road to China and the Early Schools Mitchell (178-190)

W 10/24 The T=ien-t=ai School Mitchell (190-194)

Selections from the Lotus Stra

F 10/26 The Hua-yen School Mitchell (194-200)

Selections from the Hua-yen Treatise
11 Buddhism in China
M 10/29 The Ch=an School Mitchell (200-206)
Selections from the Bodhidharmas Bloodstream Sermon

W 10/31 The Ch=an School Mitchell (200-206)

Selections from the Platform Stra

F 11/02 The Ching-t=u School (Pure Land Buddhism) Mitchell (206-217)

Selections from the Land of Bliss Stra
12 Buddhism in Japan
M 11/05 The Six Schools of the Nara Period Mitchell (241-247)

W 11/07 The Heian Period: The Tendai and Shingon Schools Mitchell (247-254)
Selections from Kkai

F 11/09 The Kamakura Period: Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren Mitchell (254-272)
Selections from Dgen: Shbgenz
Fall 2007 History of Buddhist Philosophy Course Schedule

13 Buddhism in Japan
M 11/12 **Holiday: Veterans Day**

W 11/14 The Kamakura Period: Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren Mitchell (254-272)
Zenkei Shibayama: AJoshu=s >Mu=@

F 11/16 Later Developments:

The Muromachi, Tokugawa and Meiji Periods Mitchell (272-281)
Selections from Hakuin

14 Modern Buddhism in Asia

M 11/19 New Buddhist Movements in Asia Mitchell (283-315)
Selections from Thich Nhat Hanh, Sulak Sivaraksa, and the Dalai Lama

W 11/21 New Buddhist Movements in Asia Mitchell (283-315)

Selections from Thich Nhat Hanh, Sulak Sivaraksa, and the Dalai Lama

F 11/23 **Non-Instructional Day (no classes)**

15 Buddhism in the West

M 11/26 Major Buddhist Traditions in the West Mitchell (316-334)
Selection from Shunryu Suzuki Zen Mind, Beginner=s Mind

W 11/28 The Experience of Buddhism in the United States Mitchell (334-349)

Selection from Shunryu Suzuki Zen Mind, Beginner=s Mind

F 11/30 The Experience of Buddhism in the United States Mitchell (334-349)

Selection from Shunryu Suzuki Zen Mind, Beginner=s Mind
16 Buddhism in the West
M 12/03 AUltimate Reality and the Experience of Nirvana@ Robert Aitken

W 12/05 ABuddhism and the Possibilities of a Planetary Culture@ Gary Snyder

M 12/10 **Final Exam** (2:00-4:00 PM)

**schedule is subject to revision**