Indian & Tibetan Buddhism: History and Philosophy
Buddhism spread from India through the Silk Road, transforming as it merged with local traditions in Tibet and Central Asia, shaping unique spiritual practices.
Buddhism spread from India through the Silk Road, transforming as it merged with local traditions in Tibet and Central Asia, shaping unique spiritual practices.
This comprehensive course delves into the rich history and philosophy of Buddhism across India, Tibet, and Central Asia. Students will explore the origins of Buddhism in India, its transformation into Mahayana Buddhism, and its spread to Tibet and Central Asia. The course covers two distinct periods of Tibetan Buddhism, the preservation of Indian Buddhist texts, and the unique developments in Tibetan Buddhist culture. It also examines the modern global spread of Tibetan Buddhism and its contemporary manifestations. Through this journey, learners will gain insights into Buddhist views on reality, educational principles, sciences, mind, and social ethics.
4.5
(16 ratings)
English
English
Powered by
What you'll learn
Understand the main elements of Buddha's biography and the Four Noble Truths
Explore the Universal Vehicle and Individual Vehicle principles
Analyze the three styles of Indian Buddhism and their key features
Examine the transformation of Tibetan culture through Buddhism
Investigate the concept of non-duality and the logic of emptiness
Study the Great Fourteenth Dalai Lama's embodiment of Buddhist teachings
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
Closed caption
Get a Completion Certificate
Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.
Created by
Provided by
Top companies offer this course to their employees
Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.
There are 6 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Buddhism's historical development and philosophical foundations across India, Tibet, and Central Asia. It begins with the origins of Buddhism in India, tracing its evolution into Mahayana Buddhism and its spread to Tibet and Central Asia. Students will learn about two key periods in Tibetan Buddhism's development, including the preservation of Indian Buddhist texts and unique Tibetan innovations. The course also covers modern global manifestations of Tibetan Buddhism, providing insights into Buddhist views on reality, educational principles, sciences, mind, and social ethics. Through this journey, learners will gain a deep understanding of Buddhist thought and its cultural impacts across different regions and time periods.
Buddha and Dharma: The Individual Vehicle
Module 1
The Mendicant Sangha and the Cool Revolution in Indic Societies
Module 2
The Individual Vehicle Launches the Universal Vehicle (Mahāyāna)
Module 3
The Three Styles of the Buddhist Development Movement
Module 4
Exporting The Cool Revolution to Tibet
Module 5
Tibet's Enlightenment Culture and The Example of the Dalai Lama
Module 6
Fee Structure
Instructors
Innovating Education Through Technology and Pedagogy
The Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is a comprehensive resource dedicated to enhancing teaching and learning across Columbia University. The CTL partners with faculty, students, and colleagues to support excellence and innovation in education through a wide range of programs, services, and resources. Their offerings include teaching consultations, workshops, technology training, and online courses. The CTL promotes inclusive, learner-centered, and research-based pedagogy while supporting the use of new media and emerging technologies in classrooms and online learning environments. Their course offerings on edX cover diverse topics including Crisis Resource Management, a multi-part series on the Civil War and Reconstruction era, Fighting for Equality: 1950-2018, and a series on women's labor history titled "Women Have Always Worked." Through these initiatives, the CTL aims to foster professional development, curricular enhancement, and academic excellence for Columbia's instructors and students.
Pioneering Scholar of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Cultural Bridge-Builder
Robert A.F. Thurman stands as a towering figure in Buddhist studies and Tibetan cultural preservation, serving as the first Westerner ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk by the Dalai Lama in 1965. As the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and President of Tibet House U.S., Thurman has dedicated over five decades to bridging Eastern and Western philosophical traditions. His remarkable journey began after losing an eye in an accident during his Harvard years, which led him on a spiritual quest through Asia where he met the Dalai Lama in 1962. After his monastic period, Thurman returned to academia, earning his Ph.D. from Harvard and becoming the first endowed chair in Buddhist Studies in the West. His influence extends beyond academia through his role in co-founding Tibet House US with Richard Gere and Philip Glass, his numerous books on Buddhism and Tibetan culture, and his work as a public intellectual - recognized by Time magazine as one of America's 25 most influential people in 1997. Thurman's unique ability to make complex Buddhist concepts accessible to Western audiences, combined with his scholarly expertise and personal connection to the Dalai Lama, has made him the leading American authority on Tibetan Buddhism and a crucial figure in preserving and promoting Tibetan civilization in the West.
Testimonials
Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.
4.5 course rating
16 ratings
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.