BSTD 308: Buddhist Philosophy in the Indian Philosophical Context

This course aims to provide students with a better understanding of the history of ideas and specific debates that shaped Buddhist thought in India. The first part of the course provides an overview of the Indian philosophical landscape, with a focus on the mutual influence and dialogue between Buddhist and non-Buddhist Indian schools (the six Vedic schools as well as Jainism and Cārvāka philosophy). The latter part of the course focuses on a sustained analysis of a particular dialogue or debate between Buddhist and non-Buddhist schools, such as the debates over the nature of language, existence of a creator God, epistemology, valid reasoning, or the relationship between mind and matter.

Prerequisites

BSTD 203: Fundamentals of Buddhist Philosophy or permission of the instructor.