- Course Code
- DR 2531
- Credit Points
- 30
- Course Coordinator
- Dr W Tuladhar-Douglas
Pre-requisites
Available only to students in Programme Year 2 or above.
Overview
A comparative examination of the history and ethnography of Himalayan Buddhist traditions. We will begin with an introduction to the literature and ritual theory of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Once prepared, we will read through ethnographic accounts of three traditions - Newar, Ladakhi and Gurung - and consider the use of rituals, narratives and philosophical doctrines in the lives of ordinary Himalayan Buddhists. We will close with a study of the Eastern Tibetan nonsectarian movement of the 18th-20th centuries.
Structure
2 two-hour seminars per week.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%), 1 essay (30%) and 1 presentation (10%).
Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%), provided each element of assessment is CAS 6 or above. New coursework can be submitted.