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Key facts
| Type | Weekly Classes |
|---|---|
| Location | Oxford |
| Address | Ewert House Ewert Place Summertown Oxford |
| Dates | Wed 3 Oct to Wed 21 Nov 2012 Day: Wednesday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.30pm Number of meetings: 8 |
| Subject area(s) | Religious Studies |
| CATS points | 10 |
| Fees | From £165.00 |
| Application status | Course ended |
| Course code | O12P745THW |
| Course contact | If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk. |
Overview
The word Buddha means 'awakened': his eightfold path teaches a way to awakening. The eightfold path is both a route and a destination. In this series of eight classes, we will explore each factor and its implications for human life.Description
The Buddha was one of the most innovatory, practical and adaptive thinkers of the ancient world. He taught a system of compassionate ethics, doctrine and meditation designed to include all areas of life and aimed, unusually for the time, for all classes and both sexes. This class gives an introduction to his teaching, exploring the eightfold path, factor by factor. As the course demonstrates, any one of these factors may involve the others. So an act of bravery, or helping another person, right action, also touches on right resolve. A sense of selflessness, and right view, may be present too. By exploring the background of the Buddha's teaching, we will read texts, discuss some ancient debates, and examine how the eightfold path has been variously understood in differing ancient and modern contexts. The course shows that the Buddhist path, an invitation to examine for oneself, involves issues of ethical behaviour, understanding and meditation with which we are still concerned today.Programme details
Week 1: The Buddha and his life; 'non-self' or 'selflessness?' approaching right viewWeek 2: The Buddha and his life: approaching right intention
Week 3: Ethics: 'right' speech —and the role of silence
Week 4: Ethics: how to behave well? Right action
Week 5: Ethics: Interdependence and right livelihood; monks, nuns and laity
Week 6: Introduction to meditative principle: calm, insight and right effort.
Week 7: What is 'right' mindfulness?
Week 8: Meditation: Stilling the mind and 'right' concentration
Background Reading:
Peter Harvey, Introduction to Buddhism
Rupert Gethin, Foundations of Buddhism
Sarah Shaw, Introduction to Buddhist Meditation
Richard Gombrich, What the Buddha Thought
Staff
Dr Sarah Shaw
Role: Tutor
Sarah Shaw researches and teaches Buddhism. Her special interests her narrative and meditative literature, on which she has written several books....more
Course aims
Course Aim:The aim of the course is to encourage an interest in and some knowledge about the Buddhist eightfold path.
Course Objectives:
1. To introduce and explain the eightfold path
2. To give background to the path and the life of the Buddha
3. To encourage investigation about each aspect of the path, and how it relates to the others.
Assessment methods
We will use both options for this class. The option A choice will be a selection of five exercises given in the class, which people can do there or take home. The option B choice will be an essay, on a topic discussed beforehand.Teaching methods
This course follows a basic format for each week. First there will be an introduction to some background and one factor, then a power point or aural presentation demonstrating this in art, literature, practice, ethical practice or doctrine. After the breat there will be a short reading of a primary text, reading or story in class and discussion around it. After this and throughout, there will be a great deal of opportunity to ask questions and engage in group debate. It is hoped to have a visit from the monastic orders to explain Buddhist practice and doctrine. There will be plenty of visual, aural, and written material in handouts in class for people to build up their own portfolio, use as a basis for questions and as research material. We will also have, each week, some modern interpretations to discuss, and to assess whether we feel they are true to original practice, and if not, discuss how and why the tradition might have evolved. There will be a plentiful allowance for discussion and questions in each class.Teaching outcomes
By the end of the course student will be expected to:1. Be familiar with the eightfold path
2. Be able to relate one factor to its traditional setting and practice.
3. To feel more confident in investigating Buddhist ideas and texts.
Apply for this course
Sorry, this course is not currently accepting applications. If you have any questions about this course, please use the course enquiry form.