Library 344
2:30-4:15 p.m. Tu, Th
James Fisher & Roger Jackson
Carleton College
To explore the life and thought of Buddhists in the Himalayan region. The first part of the course will focus on the classical Buddhist civilization of Tibet. The second part of the course concentrates on a number of groups in Nepal (Sherpas, Gurungs, and Newars), as well as on Tibetan exile communities. Methodologically, the course will interweave anthropological perspectives with those of religious studies. Several guest speakers are expected, and extracurricular sessions will be scheduled in which we may, e.g., practice Tibetan meditation, view documentary and/or feature films, visit a Tibetan Buddhist center, and play "Rebirth" (a sort of Tibetan Buddhist "Chutes and Ladders").
Mix of lecture (some illustrated) and discussion.
Familiarity with assigned readings
Participation in class discussion (20% of final grade) (A) Two short (6-8-page) papers, due F 2/6 and F 3/6 (25% each) or (B) one longer (14-16-page) paper, due F 3/6 (50%) Final exam, W 3/18, 8:30-11:30 a.m. (30%)
*[BOOKS AVAILABLE AT CARLETON BOOKSTORE (ALSO ON CLOSED RESERVE):]
Geoffrey Samuel, Civilized Shamans: Buddhism in Tibetan Societies
Janice D. Willis, Feminine Ground: Essays on Women in Tibet
Lobsang P. Lhalungpa (tr.), The Life of Milarepa Tsongkapa, The Principal Teachings of Buddhism
Sherry Ortner, High Religion: A Cultural and Political History of Sherpa Buddhism
Stan Royal Mumford, Himalayan Dialogue: Tibetan Lamas and Gurung Shamans in Nepal
The Dalai Lama, Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama *
[BOOKS AND ARTICLES ON CLOSED RESERVE AT LIBRARY (please xerox assigned readings well in advance):]
June Campbell, Traveller in Space (chapters 4, 7)
James Fisher, Sherpas (chapter 2: "A Tradition of Change")
Sherry Ortner, Sherpas Through Their Rituals (chapter 4: "Hospitality")
Vincanne Adams, "Dreams of a Final Sherpa"
David Gellner, Monk, Householder, and Tantric Priest (chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12)
Steven Venturino, "Reading Negotiations in the Tibetan Diaspora" (from Frank J. Korom, ed., Constructing Tibetan Culture: Contemporary Perspectives)
Tu 1/6:
Introduction to the course
no reading
Th 1/8:
Facets of Tibetan societies
reading: Samuel, pp. 3-63, 115-156
Tu 1/13:
Women in Tibetan Buddhism
reading: Willis, pp. 76--134; Campbell, chaps. 4, 7
[W 1/14: The game of "Rebirth," time and place TBA]
Th 1/15:
The Indian background to Tibetan Buddhism reading: Samuel, pp. 359-435; Lhalungpa, pp. vii-71
Tu 1/20:
The two diffusions of Buddhism in Tibet (650-1400) reading: Samuel, pp. 436-498; Willis, pp. 11-51; Lhalungpa, pp. 72-145
[W 1/21: Tibetan Buddhist meditation (I), 9:30 p.m., Wrestling Rooms, West Gym]
Th 1/22:
The rise of the Gelugpas (1400-1950)
reading: Samuel, pp. 499-573; Lhalungpa, pp. 146-203
[F 1/23: Chaplain's field trip to Tibetan Buddhist center in Edina; limited to 20]
[Sa 1/24: Field Trip to see Kundun]
Tu 1/27:
Pragmatic and Karmic orientations in Tibetan Buddhism reading: Samuel, pp. 157-222; Tsongkapa, pp. 1-90
[W 1/28: Film night (I), CMC 206: "Tantra of Gyuto," "The Lion's Roar," "The Wheel of Time: Kalachakra Initiation"]
Th 1/29:
Tantra and the Bodhi orientation
reading: Samuel, pp. 223-269; Tsongkapa, pp. 93-159
Tu 2/3:
Tibetan religious types in interaction
reading: Samuel, pp. 270-358
Guest lecturer: Prof. Geoffrey Samuel
[W 2/4: Lindesmith Lecture, by Prof. Geoffrey Samuel, 7:30 p.m., Boliou 104: "Revisioning the Earth: Nature in Asian Buddhism and Contemporary Paganism"]
Th 2/5:
The Sherpas (I)
reading: Fisher; Ortner, "Hospitality"; Ortner, High Religion, pp. 3-44
[F 2/6: 6-8-page paper due (if choosing option A)]
[M 2/9: Midterm Break]
Tu 2/10:
Mustang
reading: packet of articles on Mustang
Guest lecturer: Ram Bahadur Chetri
[W 2/11: Film Night (II), CMC 206: "Disappearing World: Sherpas," "Lord of the Dance"]
Th 2/12:
The Sherpas (II)
reading: Ortner, HR, pp. 45-167
Tu 2/17:
The Sherpas (IV)
reading: Ortner, HR, pp. 168-202; Adams
[W 2/18: Tibetan Buddhist meditation (II), 9:30 p.m., Wrestling Rooms, West Gym]
Th 2/19:
The Gurungs (I)
reading: Mumford, pp. 3-139
Tu 2/24:
The Gurungs (II)
reading: Mumford, pp. 140-256
[W 2/25: Film night (III), CMC 206: "Tantric Universe," "Ocean of Wisdom," "Satya"]
Th 2/26:
The Newars (I)
reading: Gellner, pp. 1-40, 73-134
[F 2/27: Tibetan New Year]
Tu 3/3:
The Newars (II)
reading: Gellner, pp. 135-161, 282-346
Th 3/5:
Tibetans in Exile (I)
reading: Samuel, pp. 574-577; begin Dalai Lama Guest lecturer: T. Wangyal
[F 3/6: 6-8 page (option A) or 14-16-page paper (option B) due]
Tu 3/10 [Tibetan Uprising Day]
Tibetans in Exile (II)
reading: finish Dalai Lama
W 3/18: Final Exam 8:30-11:30 a.m.