Course Outline: ME6101 Theravada Buddhism, 2011/2012, Semester 1

Basic Data
Program: 
Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
First Semester (July 11 – November 12, 2011) Academic year 2011/2012
Subject: 
BT6101/ME6101 - Theravāda Buddhism
Credit / status: 
3 Credits / Core subject
Instructor: 
Prof. Dr. Tilak Kariyawasam
Recommended Texts: 
  • Bapat, P.V. 2500 Years of Buddhism. Delhi: Asian Education Ser., 1987. Print.
  • Bhattacharya, N.N. Buddhism in the History of Indian Ideas. New Delhi: Manohar, 2000. Print.
  • Copleston, Reginald. S. Theravada Buddhism. Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers,1993. Print.
  • Gombrich, Richard. Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. 1988. London: Routledge & Kegan; New York: Taylor & Francis e-Library -Routledge, 2005. Print.
  • Pande, G.C. Studies in the Origins of Buddhism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1957. Print.
  • Thomas, Edward. J. The History of Buddhist Thought, Delhi: Munshiram Manoharalal, 1997. Print.
  • Varma, Vishwanath Prasad. Early Buddhism and its Origins, Delhi: Munshiram Manoharalal, 2003. Print.
  • Warder, A.K. Indian Buddhism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1970. Print
Course Organization: 

This course will be lecture-based and will follow the development of Pali literature and the Pali language as a medium to teach the doctrine and this language has been considered as the world most ancient language. The students are expected to gain the knowledge of Theravada with its special features to identify the special significance among other Buddhist sects. The lectures will be conducted in the following manner:

  • Lecture 1 Definition of Theravada Buddhism.
  • Lecture 2 Differences between Theravada Buddhism and Early Buddhism.
  • Lecture 3 Commentarial Interpretation of Theravada.
  • Lecture 4 Details of the source material of Theravada
  • Lecture 5 Special characteristics of Theravada Buddhism
  • Lecture 6 The special significance of Pali language –Theravada point of View
  • Lecture 7 Mahavihara of Sri Lanka as the main fortress to protect and promote Theravada Buddhism.
  • Lecture 8 Buddha in Theravada Buddhism.
  • Lecture 9 Development of the concept of Bodhisattva in commentarial Literature.
  • Lecture 10 Arahant as Savaka Buddha in Theravada Buddhism.
  • Lecture 11 Buddhist Cosmology and the nature of gods in Buddhism and the place of Human being in the Universe.
  • Lecture 12 Theravada analysis of Kamma and Re-birth to form Samsara (Transmigration).
  • Lecture 13 Analysis of Khandha, Ayatana, Dhatu as Dhamma and Vipassana meditation.
  • Lecture 14 Realizations of Four Noble Truths with Dependent Origination.
  • Lecture 15 Revisions.
Course Requirements: 

Students are required to write an essay assignment of 3000 words and the subject for the essay will be given in the classroom. Marks will be allocated for the classroom presentation or the Viva Voce Examination. They can choose a subject for their paper presentation. The final examination will be held at the end of the course. A suitable amount of time will be allocated at the end of the course for preparation of examination. To be eligible to sit for the examination students must attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled classes.

Allocation of Marks: 
  • Class participation and attendance 5%
  • Assignment – Essay Writing 20%
  • Viva Voce examination or the classroom presentation 15%
  • Final Examination 60%
Course Objectives: 

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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
B+ Very Good 3.5 80-89
B Good 3.0 70-79
C+ Fairly Good 2.5 60-69
C Fair 2.0 50-59
D+ Poor 1.5 40-49
D Very Poor 1.0 30-39
F Fail 0.0 29 or less
I Incomplete
W Withdrawn
WF Withdrawn because of failure
AU Audit