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Taoist Philosophies · Related Traditions

Eastern Wisdom: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism & Zen

A survey of Asia's major wisdom traditions: their teachers, core ideas, and key texts.

Lessons
19 lessons in 7 modules
Format
Online, self-paced
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About this course

An introduction to Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Zen in 19 short lessons. You will learn the core vocabulary of each tradition (karma, atman, anatman, sunyata, wu-wei, koan and more), meet the teachers and texts each one is built on, and practice comparing them without flattening their differences. Built on the Shambhala Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion. No background needed. About 3.5 hours.

Course outline

Module 1: Introduction and the Indian Worldview

2 lessons · 18 min

Dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha: the shared vocabulary of the traditions born in India.

  1. How to Use This Survey8 min
  2. Dharma, Karma, Samsara, Moksha10 min

Module 2: Hinduism

3 lessons · 32 min

The oldest living tradition: its scriptures, philosophical schools, and the identity of self with the Absolute.

  1. The Vedas and the Upanishads10 min
  2. The Darshanas, Yoga & the Self10 min
  3. The Bhagavad Gita & the Three Paths of Yoga12 min

Module 3: Buddhism: Foundations

3 lessons · 32 min

The life of the Buddha and the core teachings shared by all Buddhist schools.

  1. The Life of the Buddha & the Four Noble Truths10 min
  2. The Eightfold Path & the Three Marks10 min
  3. Dependent Origination & the Wheel of Life12 min

Module 4: Buddhism: The Great Vehicles

3 lessons · 32 min

How Buddhism developed into its major branches: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.

  1. Theravada and the Arhat Ideal10 min
  2. Mahayana, the Bodhisattva & Vajrayana10 min
  3. Emptiness, Nagarjuna & the Middle Way12 min

Module 5: Taoism

3 lessons · 32 min

China's native Way: its founding sages, its philosophy of effortless action, and its religious forms.

  1. Lao-tzu and the Tao-te-ching10 min
  2. Chuang-tzu, Wu-wei & Religious Taoism10 min
  3. Ch'i, Yin-Yang & the Five Elements12 min

Module 6: Ch'an / Zen

3 lessons · 30 min

The meditation school born when Indian Buddhism met the Chinese spirit, and its flowering in Japan.

  1. Origins and Bodhidharma10 min
  2. Zazen, Koans, Satori & the Masters10 min
  3. The Ten Oxherding Pictures & Zen in Everyday Life10 min

Module 7: The Wisdom Literature & Comparative Themes

2 lessons · 20 min

The great texts side by side, the shared themes and key differences, and how to keep studying.

  1. The Great Texts Side by Side10 min
  2. Shared Themes, Key Differences & Next Steps10 min
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