https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/G_BATRSAL001Perhaps the best way to answer the question “What is this course going to be about?” is to predict what you are likely to learn in this term. As we engage the course materials, you will know, can reproduce knowledge, and have insight regarding:Basic chronological and historical information about Buddhism—that is to say, about its ‘history’ in a factual sense.The universe (‘cosmology’) of Buddhism, and thus Asia generally, its gods and spirits and powers.The major movements of ideas and practices in Buddhism over time.The major forces acting on Buddhism over time: political, economic, philosophical, practical, and so on.The major sources for the study of Buddhism: texts, art and archaeology, secular sources, modern ethnography, etc. Naturally, we will not be able to cover all sources and disciplines equally well.To accomplish these objectives, during the course, in its writing assignments and group discussions (1.1–5), you will typically be doing the following: you will actively and systematically reflect on and apply the acquired knowledge and insight, regarding:The nature of Buddhist authority and its sources.Regionalism and its effects.The culture dynamics of the ‘emergence’ and so-called ‘spread’ of Buddhism in Asia and beyond.The relation of non-modern forms of Buddhism to modernisation movements and Buddhist Modernism.The culture dynamics and characteristics of so-called Global Buddhism.By nature of the disciplinary backgrounds of the SRT School of Religion and Theology and in alignment with the Buddhist Seminary and our Spiritual Care trajectories that offer this course, its core, and starting point for our explorations, is not only concerned with introductory matter regarding the (social) history of Buddhist ideas and practices, but also their contemporary developments and application in professional fields, such as applied mindfulness techniques and the work of Buddhist caregivers. Those in the Religious Studies Spiritual Care track, besides Religious Studies theoretical frames, will also address professional and societal applications. You will evaluate and discuss:What happens when Buddhism is framed in terms of ‘religion’, as an object of the discipline of Religious Studies?The relation of Buddhist contemplative expertise and helping professions.How traditional Buddhist goals are gradually finding their place in ever shifting late modern worldviews and self-understandings.The place of Buddhism in life (yes, we shall also think BIG).The tensions that are resolved or brought out by Buddhist thought and practices (just in case you hadn’t noticed …).There will be no regional limitations, but our forays will have a natural, historical centre of gravity in the regions of origin, in what presently is India and Nepal. At each and every turn of our historical and doctrinal forays we shall also look into how things work: the basic concepts and operating premises of Buddhism: so, we’ll be dealing with both. We shall try to understand instances of Buddhism within history, not by moving strictly chronologically through that history but by contrasting selected cases with other cases. Our questions will both allow us to span historical periods and demand that we see things in comparative aspect. A sample of the kinds of questions we shall think about:What is our human condition? What can we do about it? How can we assist others, professionally and otherwise?In fact, what do we owe others? What do they owe us?Who is in charge in all that? How is that decided, and by whom?In fact, whose Buddhism are we talking about?What is the fate of the dead? What can be done about it?How can Buddhism and Buddhist-derived techniques such as mindfulness, loving kindness or compassion be applied in the helping professions?Last but not least: self-reflexively, who are we that we are interested in Buddhism?This course provides a general introduction to Buddhism, as so-called religious system, set of philosophies and doctrines, and cultural force. The course surveys the historical background of Buddhism from its Indian origins through its development and spread—eventually also outside ‘Asia’—by means of lectures, reading selected primary sources (in translation), secondary sources and, not least of all, by also way of group discussion. This course, at its broadest, should help you to at least begin to answer the question: “What is Buddhism?” I assume that since you are here, this is (one of) your question(s). Yet, the study of Buddhism also provides an excellent opportunity to approach basic human questions of an entirely general type. So, it is possible that you find the philosophy of Buddhism attractive, perhaps as an alternative to some traditions with which you are familiar, or that you have another personal reason for your interest. Needless to say, these are all valid. The approach of the course is nonetheless entirely non-confessional, meaning that we aim to look as objectively as possible at Buddhism as an object of study. However, the fact that we ought to distinguish emic and etic perspectives carefully, doesn’t preclude switching between them wherever helpful—that would be very much encouraged, in fact. In addition, some argue that there are more academic and less personal reasons to study Buddhism as well. For instance, that it is the only cultural force—in fact, the only reason other than sheer geography—that justifies speaking of something called “Asia” at all, for it is through Buddhism that Sri Lanka and Japan share a common vocabulary of cosmology, mythology, the ideal ruler, and much more.Lectures and pop-up quizzes, mandatory peer discussion groups and presentations. 6 EC (168 hours/‘SBU’), level 200: Attendance at seminar and discussion groups: ~48h Reading reflections: 60h (readings partly used for presentation/essay) Oral presentation (in peer groups) and written assignment. for 6 ECTS: 1.500 – 2.500 words: additional 60h.Entry prerequisites to the written assessment:active course attendance (including pop-up quizzes)mandatory attendance discussion groups with prior upload of reading reflections (pass/fail)oral presentation in peer discussion group (pass/fail)Attendance needs to be above eighty percent, i.e..no more than two absences. Written assignment (subject to fulfilment of prerequisite above): 100%Buddhism: The Illustrated Guide, edited by Kevin Trainor (ISBN 0195173988, paper, Oxford University Press). IN THE SYLLABUS: BTIG.The Heart of Understanding by Thích Nhất Hạnh (ISBN 9781888375923, paper, Parallax Press, 1988, many editions exist).[Note: Additional literature will be announced on Canvas.]See course outline on Canvas.Minor(s), elective, and regular students, also from the Buddhist Seminary (e.g., resolving deficiencies in prior learning trajectory).Attendance is mandatory, for at least 80% of the lectures and peer discussion meetings. Since we are in a learning environment: the use of AI is not allowed for this course.Basic religious literacy.Only the first readings are on Canvas.