Seminar in Buddhist Studies: Buddhists and Others

The Buddha sent his students to spread his teachings, thus giving rise to the world’s first major missionary religion. As the Buddhist tradition took root across Asia, Buddhists interacted with many other religions and cultures. We will explore a series of these encounters, ranging from rivalry and opposition to cooperation to synthesis. Our goal will be to understand more deeply both the nature of the Buddhist tradition and the varied settings in which it has thrived and to which it has adapted. We will conclude with attention to the further spread of Buddhism in the modern period and its ongoing encounters with “others.” 3 hr. sem.