Instructor: Dr. M.F. Austin

Phone: 931.510.2755

Email: austin@columbiastate.edu

The cultures, world views and languages of the East have long appeared mysterious and enigmatic to those peoples within the Western tradition. Not really until the twentieth century did Westerners – other than a few scholars begin to develop an understanding of and an appreciation for the ideas central to the orient. This course is designed to explore some of the religions and philosophies of the East focusing on their histories, basic beliefs and common practices.

WEEK ONE

I. Hinduism

II. Major Texts

III. Basic Beliefs

IV. Many Gods, One Reality

WEEK TWO

I. Buddhism

II. Siddhartha Gautama

III. Basic Beliefs

IV. Relating to the World

WEEK THREE

Hesse’s SIDDHARTHA

WEEK FOUR

I. Taoism

II. Confucianism

WEEK FIVE

I. Buddhism(s) in China

II. Buddhism in Japan and in the West