Buddhism Local Religions

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course explores the exchanges between Buddhism – a religion ostensibly concerned with transcending the world – and various local religions across Asia that are often concerned with acting on and thriving in the world. Besides introducing the basics of Buddhism, the course will introduce Indian tree spirits, Tibetan mountain gods, and various other “spirits of place” across Asia. In the process, we will interrogate the utility of “local religion” as a category that contrasts with “world religion"