Great Books in Buddhism

Undergraduate catalogue

How do we know what the Buddha said? What brings the Buddha's words to life, 2500 years after his nirvana? Through close readings of four great works of Buddhist literature, we'll critically consider "the Buddha's word," its powers, how it came to be written down, and the rich worlds of ritual, artistry, and debate that it's embedded in. We want to figure out how media such as books, storytelling, and performance influence how we experience the Buddha's message. Two lectures, one preceptorial.