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Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism

Spring 2010
Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30, Sever Hall Room 209
Professor Leonard W. J. van der Kuijp
Teaching Fellow: Lydia Porter - lporter@fas.harvard.edu

This course introduces Tibetan Buddhism in the context of Tibetan intellectual and
political history, cultural manifestations, doctrines and thought. The class consists
primarily of lectures, readings of secondary works, and analysis of various primary
materials in translation. This course assumes no background in the study of Buddhism,
Asian history, religion or languages. Students will submit three seven-page essays (each
worth 20% of the total grade = 60%), and take a final exam (40% of total grade).

REQUIRED BOOKS (available at the Harvard COOP)

Dodin, Thierry and Heinz Rther, ed. Imagining Tibet: Perceptions, Projections and
Fantasies (Wisdom Publications) ISBN 0861711912

Kapstein, Matthew T. The Tibetans (Wiley-Blackwell) ISBN 0631225749

Lhalungpa, Lobsang P. The Life of Milarepa (Penguin Compass) ISBN 0140193502

Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Shambhala) ISBN 1570624127

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS

Lopez, Donald S., ed. Religions of Tibet in Practice (Princeton University Press) ISBN
0691011834 (1997 edition; not 2007 abridged edition)

Supplementary readings will be made available in electronic (.pdf) format, so


students are not required to purchase the book.

ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE COURSE

You are expected to complete the readings and consult the recommended websites on
time. Papers must be submitted to Lydia by email before class on the due date. Late
papers will be marked down 1/3 of a grade for each week it is late (unless you have
received an extension from Lydia. Please do not ask Professor van der Kuijp for paper
extensions). For example, the first paper is due February 23rd. A papers submitted
after class on the 23rd will receive an A-. After March 3rd, an A paper becomes a B+
All papers must be in Times New Roman font, size 12, double spaced, with one inch
margins, and include properly formatted footnotes and bibliography (guidelines will be
distributed). Papers not following these guidelines will also be downgraded 1/3 of a
grade.
Class Schedule
Week 1 (January 26)
General Introduction
The Scope of Tibetan Buddhism

Required Reading:
Buddhism Overview (pdf)
Chronological Table / Succession of Schools / Bibliographies (pdf)
Lewis, The Tibetan Highlands Region (pdf)
Mitchell, Donald W., The Great Vehicle from Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience. (pdf)
Snellgrove, A Cultural History of Tibet, C2-4 (pdf)
Tibetan Studies Bibliographies (pdf)

Week 2 (February 2)
Tibetan Society
The Imperial Dynastic Period and Divine Kingship
In class VIDEO: Tibetan Buddhism: Wheel of Time

Required reading:
Dodin, 3-63
Kapstein, 175-204
Himalayan Civilization Outline (pdf)
Trijang, The Significance of the Six Syllable Mantra (pdf)

Week 3 (February 9)
Indian and Chinese Influences at the Council of Samye
The Fall of the Empire and the subsequent Tibetan Renaissance

Required reading:
Kapstein, 1-109
Geshe Sopa, The Tibetan Wheel of Life: Iconography and Doxography (pdf)

Week 4 (February 16)


The Establishment of the Schools of Tibetan Buddhism
The Classical Period of Tibetan History: Mongols and Manchus

Required reading:
Kapstein, 110-174, 205-243
Gyatso, Drawn from the Tibetan Treasury: The gTer ma Literature (pdf)
Ruegg, Mchod yon, yon mchod and mchod gnas/yon gnas: On the Historiography and Semantics of a
Tibetan Religio-Social and Religio-Political Concept (pdf)
Snellgrove, A Cultural History of Tibet, C5-8 (pdf)
Davidson, Atias A Lamp for the Path to Awakening in Lopez pp.290-302 (pdf)

Week 5 (February 23)


The Establishment of the Schools of Tibetan Buddhism (continued)
In class VIDEO: TBD

1st PAPER DUE IN CLASS

For your first paper, write a seven page essay on one of these topics:
1. Divine kingship in Buddhism and its specific manifestation in Tibet. Key terms to define are Chakravartin
and Bodhisattva,; bonus points for discussing the priest-patron relationship.
2. The Wheel of Existence/Life.
Required Reading:
Ardussi, Brewing and Drinking the Beer of Enlightenment: The Doha Tradition in Tibet (pdf)
Decleer, Atisa's Journey to Tibet in Lopez, pp157-178 (pdf)
Gyatso, From the Autobiography of a Visionary in Lopez, pp369-376 (pdf)
Smith, C3: Golden Rosaries of the Bka' brgyud Schools (pdf)
Smith, C4: The Shangs pa Bka' brgyud Tradition (pdf)
Stearns, A Quest for The Path and Result in Lopez, pp188-200 (pdf)

Week 6 (March 2)
Monasteries and their Inhabitants

Required reading:
Patrul Rinpoche, XXV-100
Dodin, 257-268.
Cabezon, The Regulations of a Monastery in Lopez, pp.335-354 (pdf)

Week 7 (March 9)
The Spiritual Path

Required reading:
Patrul Rinpoche, 100-111, 171-350
Lopez ed., 137-157, 200-211, 225-233, 255-270 (pdf)

March 16: SPRING RECESS

Week 8 (March 23)


The theory and practice of Tantra
Saints and Gurus: The Life of Milarepa

Required reading:
The Life of Milarepa

Week 9 (March 30)


Preparation for Death
Burial and Beyond
The Bardos
In class VIDEO: The Tibetan Book of the Dead (A Way of Life/ The Great
Liberation)

Required reading:
Patrul Rinpoche, pp. 351-375
Figure 1. A bronze and copper statue of
Lopez ed., 421-510 (pdf)
Milarepa from the Nyingjeilam Collection.

2nd PAPER DUE IN CLASS. For your second paper, write a seven page essay on the different spiritual paths of
Tibetan Buddhism as it was practiced in Tibet (not the West). Differentiate and delineate the paths of the householder,
the celibate monk, and the wandering tantric yogi. Describe in detail the practices, lifestyle, and goals of each path.
Some key terms that ought to be defined in your paper include: rebirth, vows, and yoga.

Week 10 (April 6)
Other Tibetan Cultural Practices: Exorcism, Divination, Pilgrimage
In Class VIDEO: TBD

Required reading:
Kapstein, 244-268
Lopez ed., 511-552 (pdf)
Huber, Guidebook to Lapchi in Lopez, pp120-136 (pdf)
Kapstein, The Guide to the Crystal Peak in Lopez, pp102-119 (pdf)
Week 11 (April 13)
Lineages and Incarnations: The Concept, and Historical Manifestation

Required reading:
Patrul Rinpoche, 309-350
van der Kuijp, The Dalai Lamas and the Origins of Reincarnate Lamas (pdf)
Lopez ed., 376-386

Week 12 (April 20)


The rise of the institution of the Dalai Lama
In class VIDEO: The History of the Dalai Lama (according to the government of the Peoples Republic of China)

Reading: Reread Kapstein, 127-174. Prepare for 3rd paper by perusing the following websites:

On the Dalai Lama:


The Tibetan Government in Exile: www.tibet.com
A Dalai Lama Website: www.dalailama.com
The Tibetan Information Network: http://www.tibetinfonet.net/ (especially the special
report, China's Tibet Online: Tibet and Tibetans in PRC Government Websites)

On the Karmapa:
Thaye Dorje, a Karmapa candidate backed by the Sharmapa: www.karmapa.org
The controversy according to supporters of the candidate officially recognized by
the Dalai Lama, Orgyen Trinley Dorje: www.karmapa-issue.org
Figure 2. The 14th Dalai
Another site devoted to Orgyen Trinley Dorje: www.kagyuoffice.org Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

On the Panchen Lama:


http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9907/02/little.lama/
http://www.kotan.org/tibet/10th_panchen_lama.html

Figure 3: Buddhists in Boudha, Nepal worshipping a photograph of the 17th Karmapa


recognized by the Dalai Lama, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, on the occasion of his birthday.
Week 13 (April 27)
The Modern and Contemporary Periods of Tibetan History
Tibetan Buddhism in the Modern World

3rd PAPER DUE IN CLASS. For your final paper, write a seven page essay on a reincarnation lineage of your choice.
Your paper should begin with a description of the general concept of reincarnation in Buddhism, as well as its specific
political and religious role in Tibetan society, past and present. Your paper should continue with a brief history of the
lineage of your choice. Bonus points will be given for a description and analysis of the use of print, video, and web
media propaganda for the promotion and establishment of that lineage.

Week 14; (May 4)


Summary and Review

FINAL EXAMINATION (Date/Time TBD)

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