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Buddhism in English Literature
DozentIn: Prof. Dr. phil. Thomas Kullmann
Veranstaltungstyp: Seminar
Ort: 41/102: Mi. 18:00 - 19:30 (13x), 41/E02: Mittwoch, 03.12.2025 18:00 - 19:30
Zeiten: Mi. 18:00 - 19:30 (wöchentlich), Ort: 41/102, Termine am Mittwoch, 03.12.2025 18:00 - 19:30, Ort: 41/E02
Beschreibung: Due to the work of English missionaries, administrators and scholars, Buddhism was made known to the English-speaking world from the 1850s onwards. I was soon recognized as a major challenge to Christianity. We are going to read the following works:
Edwin Arnold, The Light of Asia (1879) [an epic poem on the life of Buddha]
Rudyard Kipling, Kim (1901) (Wordworth Classics, ISBN 978-1853260995)
Evelyn S. Karney, The Dust of Desire (1912) [a fictional story designed to convey the major tenets of Buddhism to children and young adults]
A. P. Sinnett, Esoteric Buddhism (1883) [about the use made of Buddhism for esoteric schools of thought, such as theosophy]
Bhikkhu Silacara et al. Pamphlets on Buddhism (1914-1922) [explanations of central Buddhist tenets by an Englishman who became a Buddhist monk]
We are going to investigate the representation of central Buddhist doctrines, the attitudes taken with regard to these doctrines, concepts of the application of Buddhism in everyday life, use of imagery and poetic techniques in describing Buddha and Buddhism.
Please acquire a copy of Kim in the edition indicated. The other texts are accessible on the internet (archive.org), and have been uploaded to this StudIP site. Please make sure you have read the books before the start of the semester (There will be a short test)
Credits will be awarded on the basis of regular attendance, an oral report and a written term paper. Please register for the course in person (preferably after making an appointment by e-mail), StudIP registration is not sufficient. To participate in this course you need to be in possession of a notebook or tablet, or print the texts to be studied.
