Spring 2010

ANS 384 • Early Buddhist Monasticism

Course Description

This graduate seminar will examine the early Buddhist monastic community, the sangha, and its religious significance for early Buddhists. ‚Early Buddhism' is represented in this seminar mainly by the canonical texts of the Theravada school, written in the middle-Indian language Pali. The course will discuss the tasks and functions of the monastic institution, the main features of Buddhist monastic law (vinaya), and the postulated relation between these rules and regulations and the Buddhist path to salvation. The discussion is based on selected passages from the Pali canon in English translation and on readings in recent scholarship.

Grading Policy

Class participation 50% Final research paper 50%

Texts

Lamotte, History of Indian Buddhism Bechert, Samgha: An Overview, in: The Encyclopedia of Religion Schopen, Bones, Stones, and Buddhist Monks Other readings TBA

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