ASIAN THOUGHT Religious Studies 1155

(IAI H4 903N)

To study without thinking is futile. To think without studying is dangerous. (Confucius) This dhamma that I have attained is deep, difficult to see, difficult to understand, peaceful, excellent, beyond reasoning, subtle and to be experienced by the wise. (The Buddha) The philosophies and practices of the great Asian traditions from the Vedas and Upanishads of Hinduism to the dhamma of the Buddha and to the principles of Confucius and the Taoists of China are part of the human legacy of thought that informs the lives of billions of people to this day. These ideas are found in the classic texts of Asian cultures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Buddhist sutras and the Tao Te Ching. The study of these texts yields tremendous insights into the sheer variety of human philosophy and challenges many of the accepted notions of truth and reality common to the West, and as we read and study the materials of these times and cultures, we can find wisdom and speculations that help us rethink our world. Even if one ultimately rejects such philosophical thoughts, pondering their messages and understanding the influence these ideas have had on thousands of years of human history and on billions of human lives can only enrich our understanding of our own time and our own selves.

Religious Studies 1155 Asian Thought (IAI H4 903N) 3 credit hours, Fall Semester Introductory overview of selected philosophical and religious systems of Asia. Emphasizes the conceptual and intellectual foundations of a variety of Asian traditions and includes consideration of the historical and cultural contexts that shape them. Prerequisite: Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (3 lecture hours) Recommended for students who are interested in the philosophies of India, China and Japan, as well as those having a general interest in comparative religion and philosophical systems.