Theme description RELV223/RELV323

This course focuses on selective topics in the study of Buddhism and Jainism with emphasis on South Asia. Buddhism and Jainism are two of the most important religions of Indian origin and they developed in the same environment in the eastern part of the Ganges valley more than two thousand years ago. Buddhism dominated many parts of India for centuries, but disappeared from the central areas of India. However, Buddhism has the last hundred years had a remarkable revival in India based on new interpretations and identities. Jainism currently has only a few million followers but has had a much stronger influence on Indian culture than its size would suggest and several of its institutions were revived in India in the 20th century. The course RELV223 / RELV323 Buddhism and Jainism attempts to make sense of these issues and developments.