Course Outline: BH401 History of Buddhism Thought in India, 2011/2012, Semester 2

Basic Data
Program: 
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
Second Semester (December 05, 2011–April 07, 2012) Academic Year 2011/2012
Subject: 
BH401 - History of Buddhist Thought in India
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Minor Required Subject
Recommended Texts: 
  • Bapt, P. V. 2500 Years of Buddhism. New Delhi: Asian Education Service, 1987.
  • Conze, Edward. Buddhist Thought in India. University of Michigan, 1967.
  • Dhammajoti, K. L. Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma. Hong Kong: Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, 2007.
  • Dhammajoti, K. L. Abhidharma Doctrines and Controversies on Perception. Hong Kong: Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, 2007.
  • Dutt, Nalinaksha. Buddhist Sects in India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1998.
  • Anuruddha Thera, Mary M. Y., and Fung, S. K. The First and Second Buddhist Councils. English Translation from Pali and Chinese. Hong Kong: Chi Lin Nunnery, 2008.
  • Kern, H. Manual of Indian Buddhism. Delhi: Indological Book, 1968.
  • Nakamura, Hajime. Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2007.
  • Nagao, G. M. Madhyamika and Yogācāra. Delhi: Sri Satguru, 1992.
  • Varma, Vishwanath Prasad. Early Buddhism and its Origins. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 2003.
  • Thomas, Edward J. The History of Buddhist Thought. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1997.
  • William, Paul. Mahāyāna Buddhism. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2008.
  • Warder, A.K. Indian Buddhism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1997.
Course Organization: 
  • Lecture 1 Arising of Buddhism as a critical response to the various Indian Religious and Philosophical Thoughts.
  • Lecture 2 Introduction to the history of the emergence of various Buddhist Schools.
  • Lecture 3 18 Schools of Buddhism.
  • Lecture 4 Sarvāstivāda, Vaibhāṣika and Dārsṭantika School.
  • Lecture 5 The rise of the Sautrāntika as a critical response to the Abhidharma.
  • Lecture 6 Origin & Development of Mahāyāna and its Literature(1)
  • Lecture 7 Origin & Development of Mahāyāna and its Literature (2)
  • Lecture 8 Basic Differences between Mahāyāna and Theravāda Buddhism.
  • Lecture 9 Midterm Examination.
  • Lecture 10 Madhyamaka School.
  • Lecture 11 Yogācāra School.
  • Lecture 12 Tantrayāna School.
  • Lecture 13 Common characteristics of Buddhist schools.
  • Lecture 14 Continue.
  • Lecture 15 Revision before the final examination
Course Requirements: 

All students are expected:

  • 1. To attend minimum of 80% of the schedule classes to be eligible to sit for the final examination.
  • 2. Students are required to write an essay not less than 1500 words.
  • 3. Class Participation.
  • 4. Midterm written examination.
  • 5. Final written examinations.
  • 6. For essay writing related helpful guide: http://ibc.ac.th/faqingessayguide
Allocation of Marks: 
  • 1. Class participation 05 %
  • 2. Essay assignment 15 %
  • 3. Midterm Examination 20 %
  • 4. Final Written Examination 60 %
Course Objectives: 

By the end of this course, students are expected to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of basic teachings of the various schools of Buddhism and their leading scholars with their contribution for propagation of the schools.

Grading: 

All tests, assignments and examinations are graded as follows with grade point and numerical marks:

Grade Performance Grade value Percentage Equivalence
A+ Excellent 4.0 90-100
A Almost Excellent 3.75 85-89
A- Fairly Excellent 3.5 80-84
B+ Very Good 3.25 75-79
B Good 3.0 70-74
B- Fairly Good 2.75 65-69
C+ Fair 2.5 60-64
C Satisfactory 2.25 55-59
C- Minimum Satisfactory 2.0 50-54
D+ Fairly Poor 1.5 40-49
D Poor 1.0 30-39
F Fail 0.0 29 or less
I Incomplete
W Withdrawn
WF Withdrawn because of failure
AU Audit