Emergence of Buddhism and Basic Buddhist Teachings

School of Theology > Department of Buddhist Studies

Emergence of Buddhism and Basic Buddhist Teachings

Religious and philosophical background and basic Buddhist teachings embodied in the Pali Canon are examined in this module. The following topics are emphasized for the religious and philosophical background of Buddhism:

• Pre-Buddhist paths of emancipation and traditional means of knowledge;
• Pre-Buddhist teaching of Dhyana and Samapati;
• Pre-Buddhist beliefs in Karma;
• Rebirth and the concept of soul;
• Origin, evolution and objectives of the ascetic movement;
• Metaphysical and Non-empirical concepts;
• Six religious teachers and their life stories and philosophies;
• Self-indulgence and self-mortification (Kamasukhallikanuyoaga and Attakilamathanuyoga); skeptical and materialist tendencies.

The following topics are emphasized for the basic teachings embodied in the Pali Canon. Three characteristics of existence; four noble truths; interdependent origination; Analysis of Khanda, Dhatu and Ayatana; Kamma; rebirth; Buddhist analysis of Sasvatavada and Ucchedavada; Attention should also be paid to the Buddhist analysis of the following topics: world and its inhabitants; sense perception; psychology; ethics; reason, revelation and experience. Four fold analysis of questions and the Buddhist attitude towards language should also be studied here.

Recommended Reading:

• What the Buddha Taught , W Rahula, Buddhist Missionary Society, Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia – 1978
• Early Buddhist Theory Of Knowledge, K.N. Jayatilake, Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi-1980
• Causality : The central Philosophy of Buddhism, D.J.Kalupahana, Honolulu, The University Press of Hawai –1975
• History of Buddhist thought, E.J.Thomas , London-1953
• The Buddha’s Anicient Path, Piyadasi Thera , Taiwan-1995