(BA) (4-year-programme) - The University of Hong Kong

307BSTC2008.Introductory Sanskrit (6 credits)Sanskrit, being one the most ancient languages known to humankind, is considered to be a key tounderstanding human civilization, in particular, the rich cultural, philosophical and religious heritageof India whose influence on our world continues to be felt. Students of history, history of science,comparative literature, general and historical linguistics, philosophy and religions will discover that abasic knowledge of the language greatly enriches their studies. For students who intend to specializein Buddhism, Indian literature or Indian philosophy, a reading knowledge of Sanskrit is essential.This course will give a comprehensive overview of the history, structure, and grammar of thelanguage, covering topics such as scripts, phonetics, declensions, conjugations, and meters. Studentsare expected to be able to read, recite, and parse a simple Sanskrit text such as the Heart Sutra indevanāgarī script by the end of the course.Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination.BSTC2009.Japanese culture and thought: the Buddhist impact (6 credits)Buddhism was perhaps the first instance of cultural globalization particularly in Asia beginning fromthe 3rd century B.C. Through missionary zeal it spread far and wide beyond the shores of the Indiansubcontinent touching and influencing many lives of Asian peoples.Since its introduction in the 6th century A.C., Buddhism played a pivotal role in molding ways ofthinking of the Japanese people. This course introduces the Japanese culture and thought from theBuddhist perspectives especially in the light of Buddhist globalization by making constant referencesto both common and different features in the ways of thinking between Chinese and Japanese peoples,and also to how Japanese Buddhism and culture including Zen Buddhism, tea ceremony, Japanesecuisine, and others became a global phenomenon after the 19th century. The aim is to criticallyappraise the cultural diversity based on Buddhism and heighten awareness of other cultures throughthe understanding of Japanese culture and thought.Assessment: 100% coursework.BSTC2010.Introduction to Buddhist art (6 credits)Visual art has always played a key role in delivering the message of the Buddha throughout the longhistory of Buddhism. During the process of its dissemination, various forms of visual art were createdwith symbolic meanings to facilitate and enhance the practice of Buddhist ritual and meditation.Therefore, when Buddhism was transmitted to China from the Eastern Han dynasty onwards, not onlydid it influence the religious belief of Chinese people, it also had great impact on the development ofChinese art, culture and science. This course will study and examine Chinese Buddhist art fromhistorical and cultural perspectives to explore its origin, evolution and influence. The transmission ofBuddhism as well as its transformations will also be studied through the investigation of the variousart treasures found along the Silk Road. A study of these archaeological artifacts, religiousmonuments, and art and sculpture from the area would reveal to us the fascinating story of thedevelopment of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and eventually to China, Korea and Japan.Assessment: 100% coursework.BSTC2011.An introduction to the translation of Buddhist texts (6 credits)For over two millennia, the spread of Buddhism beyond its native India has depended greatly on thetranslations of the Buddhist teachings. In particular, the Chinese and Tibetan translations of SanskritBuddhist texts are amongst the great translation projects undertaken by the humankind and haveexerted a great influence on the Asian cultures up to this day. Topics to be discussed in this classinclude: i) Problems of the original language(s) of Buddhist texts and the ur-kanon(s); ii) History of