Joel Brereton

This course offers a survey of the major religious traditions of Asia (Hinduism, Buddhism in South and East Asia, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). It focuses on the historical development of their beliefs, practices, rituals, and customs in social context. The course will combine lectures with class discussions on readings.

Text:Theodore M. Ludwig, The Sacred Paths of the East, 3rd ed. The Mahabharata, retold by R.K. Narayan Zhuangzi: Basic Writings, translated by Burton Watson

Grading:Attendance/participation 20% 2 quizzes 20% (10% each) 2 short essays 20% (10% each) Midterm exam 20% Final exam 20%

This course examines the principal themes of traditional Hinduism, the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent.  It gives special attention to the historical development of the tradition and its relation to social and cultural life in India.  To the extent possible, the course will examine different forms of religious expression created within India.  These include written texts which have been significant in the Hindu tradition, but they also comprise rituals that have been central to religious life, patterns of social action that embody Hindu values, and images and architecture that display the form and powers of the world.

This course surveys the central beliefs and patterns of life of living religious traditions of Asia.  It will focus particularly on the basic texts or narratives of these traditions, on their essential histories, and on the concepts of humanity, the world, and the divine that are distinctive of each.  In addition, the course will explore not only what people believe religiously but also what they do religiously.  Part of the course, therefore, will consider the ways of life, forms of social action, and rituals practiced by different communities.  Not all Asian traditions can be included in a one-semester survey.  The traditions chosen have large numbers of adherents, have particular historical significance, and represent different cultural areas.

Prerequisite: Sanskrit 312L with a grade of at least C.

Study of various aspects and periods of Sanskrit language and culture.  Specific offerings are listed in the Course Schedule.  Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and Sanskrit 325L, 330, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.

This course offers a survey of the major religious traditions of Asia (Hinduism, Buddhism in South and East Asia, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). It focuses on the historical development of their beliefs, practices, rituals, and customs in social context. The course will combine lectures with class discussions on readings.

For fall 2011, this course will study the upaniṣads, particularly the Br̥hadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, together with a selection from Śaṅkara's commentary on the Br̥hadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, and selections from the late upaniṣads. 

Texts:

Br̥hadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad from A. Weber, ed., Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa in the Mādhyaṃdina Recension

Selections from other upaniṣads from the editions in Patrick Olivelle, The Early Upaniṣads

Śaṅkara's commentary from G. Govinda Śāstrin, ed., Īśādidaśopaniṣadaḥ śaṅkarabhāṣyayutaḥ

Grading:

384S Class recitation 50%, Midterm 15%, Final 20%, Paper 15%

330   Class recitation 50%, Midterm 20%, Final 30%

Prerequisite: Sanskrit 312L with a grade of at least C.

For fall 2011, this course will study the upaniṣads, particularly the Br̥hadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, together with a selection from Śaṅkara's commentary on the Br̥hadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, and selections from the late upaniṣads. 

Texts:

Br̥hadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad from A. Weber, ed., Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa in the Mādhyaṃdina Recension

Selections from other upaniṣads from the editions in Patrick Olivelle, The Early Upaniṣads

Śaṅkara's commentary from G. Govinda Śāstrin, ed., Īśādidaśopaniṣadaḥ śaṅkarabhāṣyayutaḥ

Grading:

384S Class recitation 50%, Midterm 15%, Final 20%, Paper 15%

330   Class recitation 50%, Midterm 20%, Final 30%

Study of various aspects and periods of Sanskrit language and culture.  Specific offerings are listed in the Course Schedule.  Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and Sanskrit 325L, 330, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.

This course will survey the central beliefs and patterns of life of living religious traditions of Asia.  It will focus particularly on the essential texts or narratives of these traditions, on the periods of their origins, and on the concepts of humanity, the world, and the divine that are distinctive of each.  In addition, the course will explore not only what people believe religiously but also what they do religiously.  Part of the course, therefore, will consider the ways of life, patterns of social action, and rituals practiced by different communities.  Not all Asian traditions can be included in a one-semester survey.  The traditions chosen have large numbers of adherents, or have particular historical significance, or represent different cultural areas.

TEXTS:

John L. Esposito et al., The Religions of Asia Today  
Burton Watson, tr., Zhuangzi:  Basic Writings
R. K. Narayan, tr., The Ramayana
Hiroaki Sato, tr., Basho's Narrow Road

GRADING:

Three quizzes            35%
Four essays            40%
Final                25%
Regrettably, excessive unexcused absences and persistent failure to prepare the assignments on time have deleterious effects on final grades for the class.  On the other hand, vigorous and informed participation in class discussions can help a grade.  Other factors, such as a student's progress or effort in the course, may also affect final grades for the class.

SAN 384S (#31975) and SAN 330 (#31960)

The Supar??dhy?ya

spring 2010

Joel Brereton

Office:  WCH 4.134A

Email: jpb@austin.utexas.edu

Office Hours:  T 1:30-3:00, TH 1:30-3:00 and by appointment

This course will study the Supar??dhy?ya (also called the Supar??khy?na), a late Vedic poem that tells the story of Supar?a or Garu?a, the eagle that became the mount of Vi??u. It will emphasize the historical transition from Vedic to Epic poetic composition and the problems of textual corruption and restoration.  It will also study other versions of the Supar?a tale in the Yajurveda, the Mah?bh?rata, and the B?haddevata, and a possible ancestor of the story in the ?gveda.

Requirements:

For both SAN 384S and SAN 330, the course requires careful preparation of the text assigned for each class meeting, including the ability to translate the text and to analyze its grammar and syntax.  Both sections of the course also require two exams, and, in addition, SAN 384S requires an essay on a different early narrative.  The final grade will be determined as follows:

For SAN 384S

     Class recitation          40%

     Two exams, each          20%

     Essay                    20%

For SAN 330

     Class recitation          50%

     Two exams, each          25%

The grade for class recitation will depend on attendance and preparation, so it is important for everyone to be present and to be ready for each class.  Please discuss any anticipated absences with me before the class you expect to miss.

Grading:

This class uses plus-minus grading on a straight scale of 93-100 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B. 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, etc.  That is, the minimum grade for an A is 93, for an A- 90, for a B+ 87, and so on.

Posted Materials:

Texts and additional materials will be posted on Blackboard.  You can access the Blackboard site for this course from http://courses.utexas.edu/.

Special Needs:

At the beginning of the semester, students with disabilities who need special accommodations should notify the instructors by presenting a letter prepared by the Service for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office. Students should contact the SSD Office at 471-6259 or 471-4641 TTY.

Academic Honesty:

Be careful not to copy the work of peers or in written work to use material without proper attribution.  Nothing can be more disastrous for your grade or for your college record than to be found to have violated the University rules on academic honesty.  Students who violate these rules are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course or dismissal from the University or both. If you have any questions about properly utilizing sources, check with the instructor.

Texts:

The principal text we will be using is based on Jarl Charpentier, ed., Die Suparnasage.  This text is available on the Blackboard website for the class.  All other assigned texts will also be posted on Blackboard.

Schedule: 

The exact schedule of the class will depend on our progress through the text, and students should expect that we will be doing a careful exegetical and grammatical analysis of each verse and passage.  Approximately two-thirds of the semester (that is, from January 19 to approximately April 1) will be dedicated to the Supar??dhy?ya itself and the remainder of the semester to parallel versions of the narrative in other Sanskrit sources.  The dates of the exams and the due date for the essay (in SAN 384S) are:

First exam                  March 25

Second exam            May 6

Essay                           April 22

The date of the first exam may be adjusted depending on our progress through the Supar??dhy?ya, but any change will be announced at least two weeks in advance.

Because unanticipated consequences of karma or daiva are possible, the instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus with due notification.  Any such modifications will be noted in a revised syllabus.  

SAN 384S (#31975) and SAN 330 (#31960)

The Supar??dhy?ya

spring 2010

Joel Brereton

Office:  WCH 4.134A

Email: jpb@austin.utexas.edu

Office Hours:  T 1:30-3:00, TH 1:30-3:00 and by appointment

This course will study the Supar??dhy?ya (also called the Supar??khy?na), a late Vedic poem that tells the story of Supar?a or Garu?a, the eagle that became the mount of Vi??u. It will emphasize the historical transition from Vedic to Epic poetic composition and the problems of textual corruption and restoration.  It will also study other versions of the Supar?a tale in the Yajurveda, the Mah?bh?rata, and the B?haddevata, and a possible ancestor of the story in the ?gveda.

Requirements:

For both SAN 384S and SAN 330, the course requires careful preparation of the text assigned for each class meeting, including the ability to translate the text and to analyze its grammar and syntax.  Both sections of the course also require two exams, and, in addition, SAN 384S requires an essay on a different early narrative.  The final grade will be determined as follows:

For SAN 384S

     Class recitation          40%

     Two exams, each          20%

     Essay                    20%

For SAN 330

     Class recitation          50%

     Two exams, each          25%

The grade for class recitation will depend on attendance and preparation, so it is important for everyone to be present and to be ready for each class.  Please discuss any anticipated absences with me before the class you expect to miss.

Grading:

This class uses plus-minus grading on a straight scale of 93-100 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B. 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, etc.  That is, the minimum grade for an A is 93, for an A- 90, for a B+ 87, and so on.

Posted Materials:

Texts and additional materials will be posted on Blackboard.  You can access the Blackboard site for this course from http://courses.utexas.edu/.

Special Needs:

At the beginning of the semester, students with disabilities who need special accommodations should notify the instructors by presenting a letter prepared by the Service for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office. Students should contact the SSD Office at 471-6259 or 471-4641 TTY.

Academic Honesty:

Be careful not to copy the work of peers or in written work to use material without proper attribution.  Nothing can be more disastrous for your grade or for your college record than to be found to have violated the University rules on academic honesty.  Students who violate these rules are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course or dismissal from the University or both. If you have any questions about properly utilizing sources, check with the instructor.

Texts:

The principal text we will be using is based on Jarl Charpentier, ed., Die Suparnasage.  This text is available on the Blackboard website for the class.  All other assigned texts will also be posted on Blackboard.

Schedule: 

The exact schedule of the class will depend on our progress through the text, and students should expect that we will be doing a careful exegetical and grammatical analysis of each verse and passage.  Approximately two-thirds of the semester (that is, from January 19 to approximately April 1) will be dedicated to the Supar??dhy?ya itself and the remainder of the semester to parallel versions of the narrative in other Sanskrit sources.  The dates of the exams and the due date for the essay (in SAN 384S) are:

First exam                  March 25

Second exam            May 6

Essay                           April 22

The date of the first exam may be adjusted depending on our progress through the Supar??dhy?ya, but any change will be announced at least two weeks in advance.

Because unanticipated consequences of karma or daiva are possible, the instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus with due notification.  Any such modifications will be noted in a revised syllabus.  

 ANS 301R [#31030], R S 302 [#44485] 

HISTORY OF THE RELIGIONS OF ASIA 

Fall 2009 

Joel Brereton 

office: WCH 4.134A 

email:  jpb@austin.utexas.edu  

office hrs:  MW 11-12, Th 1-3 & by appt 

Nancy Stalker 

office:  WCH 5.124 

email:  nancy.stalker@mail.utexas.edu 

office hrs:  MF 11-12:30 & by appt. 

TA:  Maeri Megumi 

office: WMB 1.114 

email:   mmegumi@mail.utexas.edu 

office hrs:  T 10-11:30, W 12:30-2 & by appt. 

This course surveys the central beliefs and patterns of life of living religious traditions of 

Asia.  It will focus particularly on the basic texts or narratives of these traditions, on their 

essential histories, and on the concepts of humanity, the world, and the divine that are 

distinctive of each.  In addition, the course will explore not only what people believe 

religiously but also what they do religiously.  Part of the course, therefore, will consider 

the ways of life, forms of social action, and rituals practiced by different communities.  

Not all Asian traditions can be included in a one-semester survey.  The traditions chosen 

have large numbers of adherents, have particular historical significance, and represent 

different cultural areas.  There are no prerequisites for this class. 

Written Assignments and Attendance: 

Written assignments include four interpretive essays on the primary texts assigned in the 

course, a midterm, and a final.  The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 15, 

9:00–12:00 noon. 

The final grade for written work will be determined as follows: 

Midterm   20% 

Three essays   45%  

Final exam   35% 

Regrettably, excessive unexcused absences (beyond 4) or persistent failure to prepare the 

assignments on time or both can result in a reduction of one full grade.  On the other hand, 

vigorous and informed participation in class discussions can help a grade, especially a marginal 

one.  Other factors, such as a student's progress or effort in the course, may also affect final 

grades for the class. 

Grading: 

This class uses plus-minus grading on a straight scale of 93-100 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 

83-86 B. 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, 70-72 C-, etc. 

2 

Posted Materials: 

Assignments, handouts, and some additional materials will be posted on Blackboard.  

You can access the Blackboard site for this course from http://courses.utexas.edu/.   

Special Needs:   

At the beginning of the semester, students with disabilities who need special 

accommodations should notify the instructors by presenting a letter prepared by the 

Service for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office.  Students should contact the SSD 

Office at 471-6259 or 471-4641 TTY. 

Academic Honesty: 

Be careful not to copy the work of peers or to use material without proper attribution.  

Nothing can be more disastrous for your grade or for your college record than to be found 

to have violated the University rules on academic honesty.  Students who violate these 

rules are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course 

or dismissal from the University or both.  If you have any questions about properly 

utilizing sources, check with the TA or the instructors. 

Required Texts: 

John L. Esposito et al., Religions of Asia Today 

R. K. Narayan, tr., The Ramayana 

Patrick Olivelle, tr., The Buddhacarita:  Life of the Buddha (on Blackboard) 

Burton Watson, tr., Zhuangzi:  Basic Writings 

Peter Haskel, tr., Letting Go:  The Story of Zen Master T?sui 

Additional readings are available on the Blackboard site.  

Please note:  as are all things, the following schedule is subject to  modification. 

DATE TOPIC READING ASSIGNMENT 

HINDUISM 

August 

26 Introduction and the Hindu & Buddhist World 

28 The Hindu & Buddhist World Esposito, pp. 75-161 

31 Introduction to East Asian Worldview Esposito, pp. 245-253 

3 

September 

  2 Shint?:  Gods & Rites  

  4 Shint? Film:  "Man, Gods, and Nature in Japan" 

  9 Gods & Rites of Traditional India 

11 The Story of R?ma The Ramayana 

14 The Story of R?ma The Ramayana 

16 The Story of R?ma The Ramayana 

18 Images of Beauty: K???a Essay on The Ramayana.  "Baby K???a," " 

K???a/K?liya," " K???a/Clothing," "R?sal?l?" 

21 Images of Power:  ?iva and Dev? "Brahm?," "?iva/Sages," "Durg?" 

23 Meditation and Insight 

ISLAM IN SOUTH ASIA 

25 The Unity and Diversity of Islam Esposito, pp. 335-357 

28 Islam in South Asia 

BUDDHISM 

30 Introduction to Buddhism Esposito, pp. 163-191 

October 

  2 Life of the Buddha Jataka stories, Buddhacarita (The Life of the 

Buddha) 

  5 Life of the Buddha Buddhacarita (The Life of the Buddha) 

  7 The Four Noble Truths "The Questions of King Milinda"  

  9 The Four Noble Truths "The Path" & Esposito, pp. 192-243 

12 The Four Noble Truths "Meditation" 

14 The Four Noble Truths  

4 

16 Mah?y?na: Bodhisattvas & Buddhas Essay on The Life of the Buddha 

19 Mah?y?na: Emptiness & Mind Only "The Heart S?tra" "The Diamond S?tra" 

21 Vajray?na  

23 Midterm Exam 

EAST ASIAN TRADITIONS 

26 The Confucian Tradition "Mencius" "Filial Exemplars" 

28 The Confucian Tradition Esposito, pp. 254-285 

30 The Daoist Tradition Zhuangzi  

November 

  2 The Daoist Tradition Zhuangzi 

  4 Mah?y?na Buddhism in China Essay on Zhuangzi 

  6 New Schools of Buddhism in Japan Esposito, pp. 285-292 

  9 The Confucian Revival  

11 Developments in Buddhism  

13 Chan/Zen Master T?sui 

16 Chan/Zen Master T?sui 

18 Chan/Zen Master T?sui 

20 Entry of Christianity to East Asia "Kirishtan Monogatari," "The Beginning of 

Heaven and Earth" 

23 Religion and Nationalism 

25 Christianity in Modern E. Asia 

30 New Religions in Japan Esposito, pp. 292-296, 312-321 

5 

December 

  2 New and Popular Religions in China and Korea Esposito, pp. 321-333 

  4 East Asian Religion in the American Imagination 

Prerequisite: Sanskrit 312L with a grade of at least C.

Study of various aspects and periods of Sanskrit language and culture.  Specific offerings are listed in the Course Schedule.  Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and Sanskrit 325L, 330, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.