BSTC6002 Mahayana Buddhism

Spring 2022
(Updated on Jan 10, 2022)

Time: Tuesday 6:30 – 9:30pm

Classroom: LG109, KK Leung Building
Lecturer: Venerable Sik Hin Hung
E-mail address: hinhung@hku.hk
Office: Rm 413, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus
Teaching Assistants: Dr. Amrita Nanda nanda@hku.hk
Ven. Wangchuk Phunsok wangchuk@hku.hk

General Description

This course aims to provide an introduction to Mahayana Buddhism. After having taken a brief
look at the development of Buddhism subsequent to the death of the Buddha, we will then study
the history, philosophy, and practices of Mahayana Buddhism in India. These include the
emergence of Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva ideal, Trikāya: the three bodies of the
Buddha, Pure Land Buddhism, and the philosophies of the Madhyamaka and Yogācāra schools.

Objectives

(1) To explore the origin of Mahayana Buddhism and its importance.

(2) To help students understand the similarities and differences of the three yāna(s).
(3) To help students to have an understanding of the main teachings of Mahayana Buddhism
and its applications in daily life.

Assessments

1. Quiz (2 x 20%)
o Feb 22---Quiz 1: (Lesson 1 to Lesson 4)
o Mar 29---Quiz 2: (Lesson 5 to Lesson 8)
o Short questions: choose two out of three questions to answer in each quiz
o Quizzes will be conducted online via Moodle

2. Final Examination (20%)

o The official assessment period will be from May 9 – May 28
o The examination timetable will be announced by the Examinations Office around
March/April
o Content Lesson 9 to Lesson 12 will be tested in the Final Examination
o Short questions: choose two out of three questions to answer

Absence from Quiz or Final Exam

o Student must provide satisfactory evidence to substantiate the reason for absence with
at least 10-day advance notice;
o Absence due to sickness will only be accepted with doctor’s certificate provided
within 7 days from the date of quiz or final exam;
o If the above conditions are not satisfied penalty will be imposed;
o Without approval, absence will automatically be counted as a no-show and will be
given a zero score.

1
3. Essay (40%)
o Deadline: Apr 30th (Saturday)
o Word Count: 2,500 words
o Topic: any topic that is covered during the course

Assessment Guideline
30% - accuracy of the understanding of the topic
25% - depth of knowledge
25% - originality / personal insight
20% - quality of writing and presentation

Submission
o Upload a soft copy through Moodle via Turnitin AND
o Hand in a hard copy at Venerable Hin Hung's mailbox (next to CBS conference room
on the 4th Floor of the Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus)

On Cover Page (all of the following information must be stated clearly)

o Name
o University Number (or HKID for Occasional Students)
o Essay title
o Word Count

Late Submission
o within first 7 days after the deadline, one sub-grade will be deducted (e.g. A -> A-);
o from the 8th day after the deadline and thereafter, one grade will be deducted (e.g. A
-> B).

Plagiarism: As stated in Regulation 6 of the University's Regulations Governing Students'

Academic Conduct Concerning Assessment NO engagement of plagiarism is allowed. All cases
will be handled following the “Protocol on Handling of Plagiarism” as stated in the Faculty of
Arts webpage.

Reading list:
 Introducing Buddhism By Charles S. Prebish, Damien Keown
 Buddhist Religions: A Historical Introduction (Religious Life in History) by Richard H.
Robinson (Author), Willard L. Johnson (Contributor), Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Contributor)
 The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master by Yin-shun
(Author), Robert M Gimello (Foreword), Whalen Lai (Introduction), Wing H Yeung
(Translator)
 Mahayana Buddhism: The doctrinal foundations by Paul Williams
 An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices; by Harvey, Peter
(2013).
 Early Indian Mahayana Buddhism I: Recent scholarship by David Drewes, Religion
Compass, 2009
 Whose Buddhism is Truest? No one’s—and everyone’s, it turns out. Long-lost scrolls
shed some surprising light.By Linda Heuman; The Buddhist Review Tricycle, 2011

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Class Date Topic Content and discussion
1st Jan 18 Classification of Buddhist Lotus Sutra: Parable of the burning house;
Teachings; Buddhist teachings according to Mahayana
Differences between the yana(s) Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra.
2nd Jan 25 The history and origination of “I heard the voice of the Buddha but can’t
Mahayana Buddhism; find him”;
Where did Mahayana texts come Allowing Buddhism to continue to be
from? relevant and tangible to the general public;
The Nikaya vs. the Mahayana Sūtras.
Feb 1 Class Suspension Period for the Lunar New Year
rd
3 Feb 8 The path to Buddhahood The importance of Bodhicitta;
The ninth vow of Samantabhadra
Bodhisattva.
4th Feb 15 The path to Buddhahood (cont.) The Six Paramitas
5th Feb 22 Concept of emptiness and Structure of the Heart Sutra
(Quiz 1) Prajñāpāramitā Sutra
6th Mar 1 Concept of emptiness and Emptiness as presented in the Diamond-
Prajñāpāramitā Sutra (cont.) cutter Sūtra (Vajracchedikā
Prajñāpāramitā 金剛般若波羅蜜經)
Mar 8 No Class – Reading Week
7 th
Mar 15 Concept of emptiness and The Diamond-cutter Sūtra (Vajracchedikā
Prajñāpāramitā Sutra (cont.) Prajñāpāramitā 金剛般若波羅蜜經)
(cont.)
8 th
Mar 22 Nagarjuna’s The Philosophy of Conditioned Co-arising, eliminating
the Middle Way proliferations (prapañca 戲論) and the
two truths
9th Mar 29 Nagarjuna’s The Philosophy of Conditioned Co-arising, eliminating
the Middle Way (cont.) proliferations (prapañca 戲論) and the
(Quiz 2
two truths (cont.)
April 5 No class—Public Holiday
th
10 Apr 12 Mind and The Doctrines of the The Eight Consciousnesses and mere
Yogācāra Consciousness (vijñaptimātra 唯識)
11th Apr 19 Mind and The Doctrines of the Ālaya-vijñāna (storehouse consciousness),
Yogācāra (cont.) the agent of transmigration and the
transformation of the psycho-physical
complex; the three intrinsic natures;
12th April 26 The Real Buddha Trikāya: The three bodies of the Buddha;
Pure Land Buddhism Buddha nature.
Amitābha and the Western paradise;
Buddhist rituals.
Apr 30 Essay Deadline
May 9 – May 28 Examination Period