Module Code and Title            : AHS101Growth and Spread of Buddhism in Asia

Name of the programme           : BA in History and Dzongkha

Credit Value                             : 12

Module Tutor                            : To be recruited

General Objectives

This module aims to give knowledge on the importance of Buddhist councils. It also provides information on the emergence of Buddhist schools and their differences. It also highlights the contributions of prominent Buddhist masters and Buddhist learning centers.

Learning Outcomes

On Completion of the module, the students will be able to:

1.    explain the  early life of Buddha  and his  basic teachings

2.    describe the reasons for convening the Buddhist councils and its outcomes

3.    differentiate basic features of Mahayana and Thervada

4.    discuss the contributions made by  prominent Buddhist masters

5.    identify factors for the growth and development of Tantric Buddhism

6.    recognize the  causes for the  rise and decline of the Buddhist learning centers

7.    examine the reasons for spreading Buddhism to different Asian countries

Learning and Teaching approach:

Assessment approach:

The students will be assessed on a continuous basis as given below:

A. Assignment: 20% of internal assessment

The students will have to write 2 assignments for this module. The first assignment will have to be written individually consisting of 10% and the second assignment will be a group work consisting of 10% and the remaining 5% will be assigned for Viva Voce

B. Class Test :20 % of internal assessment

Two class tests will be conducted after the completion of second and fourth unit respectively, each worth of 10%.

C. Presentation: 10% of internal assessment

For this module, students will have to make a presentation each on a topic   assigned by the tutor.

D. Semester-end Examination: 50%

Semester end Examination will be of 50% for this module

Overview of the assessment approaches and weighting

Pre requisite: N/A

Subject Matter:

Unit I: Socio-political and economic background of India during 6^th century

• Early life and spiritual journey of Gautama Siddhartha
• Enlightenment
• First sermon and teachings of the Buddha

Unit II: Four Great Councils of Buddhism

• Reasons for convening the Buddhist councils
• Major outcomes and its significance of the Councils
• Factors for the emergence of Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana

Unit III: Features of Mahayana and Theravada

• Basic teachings
• Differences between Theravada and Mahayana

Unit IV: Masters of Mahayana

• Asvagosha: Early Life and his contribution in Mahayana Buddhism
• Nagarjuna:Early Life and his contribution in Mahayana Buddhism
• Shantideva: Early Life and his contribution in Mahayana Buddhism
• Vasumitra: Early Life and his contribution in Mahayana Buddhism

Unit V: Tantric Buddhism

• Historical development of Tantric Buddhism
• Characteristic of Tantric Buddhism
• Basic teachings

Unit VI: Major Buddhist Learning Centres (establishment; role; masters; downfall)

• Nalanda University
• Vikramshila
• Takshila

Unit VII: Spread of Buddhism (Who spread? When? How? Impact?)

• In Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia)
• In Central and East Asia (China, Korea, Japan)
• In the Himalayas (Tibet, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, Ladakh) 

Reading List

Essential reading:

Keown, D. (2000) Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

Bapat, P.V.(1987). 2500 years of Buddhism. New Delhi: Publication Division, Ministry of  Information and Broadcasting

Corless, R.J. (1989). The Vision Of Buddhism: The Space Under The Tree. Paragon House.

Dani, A. H.(1986). The Historic City of Taxila. Japan: UNESCO Publications.

Drub, B.R. (1986). The History of Buddhism in India and Tibet (Ed.Obermiller). New Delhi.Sri

            Satguru Publishers.

Additional reading:

Kern. (1968). Manual of Indian Buddhism: Varanasi (India)

Keyes, C.F.( 1995). The Golden Peninsula: Culture And Adaptation In Mainland Southeast Asia.

            University Of Hawaii Press

Pandey, G.C. (NA). Origin of Buddhism.

Schober, J.(1997). Sacred Biography In The Buddhist Traditions Of South And Southeast Asia. University of Hawaii Press.

Snellgrove. (1968). A Cultural History of Tibet. Colarado (USA): Prajna press.

Tucci, G. ( 1980). The Religions of Tibet.  Delhi: Allied publishers.

Tucci, G. (1988). Rinchen Zangpo and the Renaissance of Buddhism in Tibet. Delhi:Aditya

            Prakashan

Waddel, L.A. (1959). The Buddhism of Tibet or Lamaism. Cambridge (London):    Ed. By Yoshinori, Takeuchi; Van Jan; Heisig, Bragt James W; O’leary Joseph S; & Swanson Paul L.

            (1993). Buddhist Spirituality Indian, Southeast Asian, Tibetan, and Early Chinese. Crossroad  Publishers.

Date:  May, 2015