BSTD 203: Fundamentals of Buddhist Philosophy

This course introduces students to the fundamental categories, doctrines and problems of Buddhist philosophy as presented in the early canon, paracanonical literature and the Abhidharma, and to the modern academic study of Buddhist philosophy. Central topics include: the doctrines of not-self, dependent origination, karma and rebirth, ethics, meditation, and dharma theory. The course also emphasizes the further development of skills in reading and assessing primary and secondary sources and writing analytic essays.

Prerequisites

A prior course in Buddhism or permission of the instructor.