Overview

About the course:History of Indian Buddhism is a four-credit course of 15 weeks’ duration.The course, as the title suggests, deals with the history of Indian Buddhism from its origins in the sixth century BCE till its decline around the twelfth-thirteenth centuries CE. The primary objective of this course is to advance students’ knowledge of the history of Indian Buddhism from the time of its origins in about the sixth century BCE till its decline during the medieval period. Upon the completion of this course, students should: have acquired a clear understanding of the historical development of Indian Buddhism as a whole have a sound knowledge of key Buddhist scriptures, schools and doctrines. You can have acquired a good understanding of some of the most essential practices for Buddhists in South Asia. Be equipped with the methodological skills to pursue postgraduate or independent research on practically any topic relating to Indian Buddhism. There are 36 modules in this course and through these modules the students shall be familiarized with1. Background to the Origin of Buddhism2. Date of the Buddha3. Biography of the Buddha-I: Previous Births4. Biography of the Buddha-II: Conception to Life in the Palace5. Biography of the Buddha-III: Abhiniṣkramaṇa to Nirvāṇa and Beyond6. Early Buddhist Teachings7. Origin and Growth of the Saṃgha8. Dissent and Protest in Early Buddhism with special reference to Devadatta9. The Mahābodhi Tree10. The Mahābodhi Temple11. Buddhist Perspective on Ahiṃsā12. Social, Economic, and Political Philosophy of Buddhism13. Buddhist Attitude towards Women14. Dissent and Origin of Various Sects15. Buddhist Councils: First16. Buddhist Councils: Second17. Buddhist Councils: Third and Fourth18. Buddhism during the Mauryan Period19. Origin and Development of Buddhist Pilgrimage20. Puṣyamitra Śuṅga and the other Śuṅgas Kings21. Buddhist Schools of Art22. Buddhism under the Indo-Greeks and the Kuṣāṇas23. Harṣavardhana and Śaśāṅka24. Decline-I: History of Decline: Some Basic Issues25. Decline-II: Corruption, Dissent, Sectarianism, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna26. Decline-III: Brāhmaṇical Kings, Hinduism, and the Bhakti Movement27. Decline-IV: Role of Islam and Ṣūfism28. Decline-V: Saṃgha-Laity Relationship, Decline of Urbanization, and Evolving Material Milieu29. Decline VI: Model/Blueprint of DeclinePre-requisite for the course:- Bachelor’s degree in any course and interest in Buddhist StudiesCourse type: core or elective:- Open ElectiveEstimated work load every week:- Eight to twelve hours (Watching videos, reading module contents- (two or three every week), attempting questions and reading related reference materials.)Total assignments allotted for the course (Indicate Graded assignments (which contain marks) and non-graded (those non-marks) ):-In all fifteen assignments (three long essays of 3,000 words, short answers and MCQs) and fifteen assignments (two assignments consisting of long essays each of 3,000 words ) without marks.

Syllabus

Week wise schedule (including the assignment to be kept in the week) :- Week No. Nos. and Titles of Modules 1 1. Background to the Origin of Buddhism 2. Mahājanapadas and Republics at the Time of the Buddha 3. Date of the Buddha

2 4. Biography of the Buddha: Previous Lives 5. Biography of the Buddha: Conception to Home Leaving

3 6. Biography of the Śākyamuni Buddha: Home Leaving to Bodhi 7. Biography of the Śākyamuni Buddha: First Sermon to Nirvāṇa

4 8. Origin and Development of the Saṃgha 9. Pāli Tipiṭaka 10. Weltanschauung of Indian Buddhism

5 11.The Buddhist Doctrine of Ahiṃsā 12. Attitude of Indian Buddhism towards Women 13.Social, Economic, and political thought of ancient Indian Buddhism

6 14. The First Buddhist Council 15. Dissent and Protest in Early Indian Buddhism with Special Reference to Devadatta 16. The Second Buddhist Council

7 17. Buddhism under the Mauryas 18. The Third Buddhist Council

8 19. Buddhism during the Śuṅga Period 20.The Indo-Greeks, the Śakas, and the Indo-Parthians

9 21.Buddhism during the Kuṣāṇa Period 22.The Fourth Buddhist Council

10 23. Origin and Growth of Various Buddhist Sects in India 24. The Origin and Development of Mahāyāna Buddhism

11 25.Buddhism under Harṣa and Śaśāṅka 26. Origin and Growth of Tantra

12 27. Buddhist Schools of Art 28. Origin and Growth of Buddhist Pilgrimage in India

13 29. The Mahābodhi Tree 30. The Mahābodhi Temple

14 31.The History of the Decline of Buddhism in Different Parts of India 32. Decline of Buddhism in India: The Issue of Moral and Ethical Corruption, Sectarianism, and the Rise of Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna 33. Decline of Buddhism in India: The Question of the Animosity of Brāhmaṇas, Hostile Kings, and the Rise of Bhakti Movement

15 34.Decline of Buddhism in India: Role of Islam and Ṣūfis 35. Decline of Buddhism in India: Saṃgha-Laity Relationship, Decline of Urbanization, and Evolving Material Milieu 36. Blue Print for the Decline of Buddhism in India