Studying
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REL 210
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Buddhism is the only religion originating in Asia that spread successfully to every country in Asia. From India to Japan, from Afghanistan to China, from Sri Lanka to Siberia, Buddhism is the gateway to the study of Asian history and cultures. This course introduces the basics of 2500 years of Buddhist history, practice, and belief, while at the same time introducing the rich history and culture of that two thirds of the world we call Asia. The class is divided roughly into three sections, covering: As we learn about the Buddhist tradition we will travel across
Asia, from the southern tip of India to the northern islands of
Japan, and through time, from the 5th century BCE to the present
day. Each section of the course will combine historical and thematic
introductions to the tradition with a focus on close readings of
short primary Buddhist texts. Your attention will be directed toward
different aspects of religious life, including ritual practice,
philosophy, meditation, community, solitude, devotion, ethics, and
cosmology. In studying these different ways of being religious,
we will learn to look at religion in Asia as a living aspect of
culture and society.
The Four Noble Truths, Karma, and Merit (PDF) Vocabulary List: Basic Buddhist Terms in Sanskrit (PDF) Vocabulary Exam: Basic Buddhist Terms in Sanskrit (PDF) Twelve Acts of the Buddha (PDF) Final Exam Review (PDF) Once the tests are graded, you will be able to obtain your test results over the web by visiting www.ssc.ua.edu/query and selecting "Student Grades," and then entering your CWID number and password. Note: If you incorrectly entered your CWID on the scoring sheet you will not be able to access your test grade online, since your test score will not be matched correctly to your login. |
