A general introduction to the history, doctrines, and practices of Buddhism in Tibet. No prior knowledge of Tibet or Buddhism is necessary. One aim of this course is to offer a basic overview of the major Tibetan Buddhist schools, their teachings, and their historical development. Another is to look beyond monasteries and philosophical debates to think more broadly about the social, cultural, and political dimensions of Tibetan Buddhism. To this end, we will also consider topics such as Tibetan Buddhist poetry; art and architecture; the lives of Buddhist women and issues of sex and gender; notions of death and dying; colonial encounters and orientalist representations of Tibet; and Tibetan Buddhism as a global religion. Assigned readings will employ a variety of sources, including Buddhist texts in translation, ethnography, art, and film.
