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This course, open to both undergraduate and graduate students, aims to provide a historical survey of Tibetan religions, as well as to explore their impact on Tibetan society and culture. This course will consider the interactions between religions and society and religions and politics and analyze how religious influences shape public lifestyles, affect historical developments and inspire movements. In addition, this course will illustrate how these influences change and adapt through the centuries, as well as how religions have functioned and continue to function as a strong social adhesive in molding Tibetan identity.
The first part of the course will proceed chronologically, furnishing a picture of the historical development of Tibetan religions, while the latter part will explore some of the major themes in Tibetan religions, such as rituals, festivals, monasticism and pilgrimage.
Course requirements:
- Attendance and participation (20%).
- Mid-term (25%)
- Final exam (25%).
- Undergraduate students: final comment paper (5-10 pages) on a text selected in consultation with the instructor (30%).
- Graduate students: research paper (30%).
Textbooks:
- R. Davidson: Tibetan Renaissance
- P. Kvaerne: The Bon Religion of Tibet
- J. Powers: Tibetan Buddhism
- Course reader.
Goodbody Hall 157 | 1011 East 3rd St. | Bloomington, IN 47405-7005 | Phone: (812) 855-2233 | Fax: (812) 855-7500 | ceus@indiana.edu