Introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism

Introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism

AP/WM649

Tuesday and Thursday: 10:45-12:15 AM
Instructor: Kevin Xiyi Yao

Office Hours: Room GL 114, Time TBD
Byington Scholar:

Course Website: Log into sakai.gcts.edu and click on the tab labeled
“AP/WM 649 HA-12”.

Course Description and Learning Objectives

With a shared origin, Hinduism and Buddhism are the belief systems of one of the
largest segments of the world population, and pose one of the major religious
challenges to Christianity in the past and future. This course is an introductory study
for students to understand the beliefs, practices and cultural impacts of these two
traditions. More specifically this course provides an opportunity for students to be
able

First, To understand the beliefs and common practices of Hinduism and Buddhism;

Second, To assess their shaping influences on the worldview and the patterns of
culture and life of the peoples in Asia and other parts of the world;

Third, To discover and grasp essential differences between Hinduism/Buddhism and
Christian worldviews, and to evaluate the two traditions from the Christian
perspectives;

Fourth, To explore the Christian missiological approaches to the traditions and
mission strategy relevant in the Hindu and Buddhist contexts. By so doing, students
will formulate a Biblical approach to non-Christian religions or theology of religion.

Requirements

A. Two integration journals summarizing lectures, readings, and personal
reflections. It should be double-spaced, seven-eight pages for each. The first one is
due on March 8th, and the second on May 3rd.(40%)

B. A group project and presentation (40%): the whole class will be divided
into groups (two or three students in each) to study certain subjects related to the
topics of this course:

a. Each study group should be formed on voluntary basis. Each student
needs to choose his or her study partners;

b. Each group should choose their own topic and methods (readings,
research, field trips, etc). Each group must submit one page project proposal
specifying the topic and its significances, goals and methods, and listing the members

of the group. Due Date: February 28th。 All proposals need to be approved by the

professor;
c. The topics could be the introductions and explorations of any aspects of

Hinduism and Buddhism, or their interactions with Christianity The nature of the
projects could be introductory, apologetic or evangelistic;

d. In Week 12 , 13 and 14 each group is required to present the results of
their studies to the whole class, and responsible for 25 minutes in one class session,
including presentation and Q & A time. Every group can design the format of their
presentation, and employ any audio-video means or multi-media to articulate their
points;

e. Each group should prepare and submit a file containing (1) a five pages,
double-spaced introduction of the group project topic, its significances, and goals of
the project;(2) the materials of any kinds, relevant to the topic, and supporting your
points; (3) a five pages, double-spaced conclusion summarizing the main ideas and
points of the project. Due Date: May 3rd.

C. A book report on Christianity at the Religious Roundtable by Timothy C.
Tennent. All the chapters of the book except Part 3 should be read. The length: 8-10
pp, double-spaced. The contents: summarization of the main points of the book, and
students’ comments and reflections. Due Date:. April 5th (20%).

Assignment and Grading Summary

Assignments should be turned in (hard copy) in class on the due date.

Assignment Weight Due Date
Integration Journals: 40%
40% March 8th
Group Project and May 1st
Presentaion 20%
February 28th
Book Report Week 12, 13, 14
May 3rd

April 5th

Required Textbooks

Ellinger, Herbert, Hinduism， London: SCM Press, 1995 (ISBN 0-334-02602-4).

Fernando, Antony and Leonard Swidler, Buddhism Made Plain, An Introduction for
Christians and Jews, Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1985 (ISBN
0-88344-198-5).

Harvey, Peter, ed., Buddhism , London: Continuum, 2001 (ISBN 0-8264-5350-3).

Jacobs, Stephen, Hinduism Today, New York: Continuum, 2010 (ISBN: PB:
978-0-8264-3065-6)

Lim, David, Steve Spaulding, and Paul De Neui, eds., Sharing Jesus Effectively in the
Buddhist World, Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2005 (ISBN 0-87808-509-2).

Tennent, Timothy, Christianity at the Religious Roundtable: Evangelicalism in
Conversation with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Academic, 2002 (ISBN 0-8010-2602-4).

Students are expected to read the required materials before each class session in order
to facilitate class discussions.

Other Texts Included in Readings

Fowler, Jeaneane, Hinduism, Beliefs and Practices, Portland, Oregon: Sussex
Academic Press, 1997 (ISBN 1-898723 60 5).

Frykenberg, Robert Eric, ed., Christians and Missionaries in India, Cross-cultural

Communication since 1500, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003 (ISBN
0-8028-3956-8).

Howell, Richard, “The Hindu Missionary Movements and Christian Missions in
India,” in William D. Taylor, ed., Global Missiology for the 21st Century, The Iguassu
Dialogue , Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2000(ISBN0-8010-2259-2), 407-420.

Kraemer, Hendrik, The Christian Message in a Non-Christian World, Bangalore,
Centre for Contemporary Christianity, 2009 (ISBN:?).

Newbigin, Lesslie, "The Gospel and the Religions,” in Robert L. Gallagher and Paul
Hertig eds., Landmark Essays in Mission and World Christianity, Maryknoll, New
York: Orbis Books, 2009 (ISBN 978-1-57075-829-4), 149-159.

Thomas, M.M., “A Christ-centered Humanist Approach to Other Religions in the
Indian Pluralistic Context,” in Gavin D’Costa, ed. Christian Uniqueness Reconsidered,
the Myth of a Pluralistic Theology of Religions, Mayknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books,
1990(ISBN 0-88344-687-1), 49-62.

Topics and Required Readings

Week 1, 31 Jan & 2 Feb, Course overview: syllabus;
The Biblical view of religions and Christian approaches;
General introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism: Their common historical
past and relation; sketches of their historical developments; their current
challenges to the Church.

Readings:
Tennent, 9-27
Kraemer, ch. IV

Week 2, 7 & 9 Feb, Hinduism I:
A brief history;
The basis of the Hindu worldview: the wheel of rebirth, Dharma, Karma,
Moksha, and Nirvana.

Readings:
Ellinger, ch.2. 6. 9
Jacobs, ch. 1.2
Fowler, ch.1.

Week 3, 14 & 16 Feb, Hinduism II:
The pantheon of the Hindu gods: Brahmann, Vishnu, Shiva;
The Hindu scriptures: Veda;The Hindu rites, festivals and social system
(the castes).
Modern development of the Hindu influence in the West;
Christian evaluation, reflections, challenges, and evangelism among the
Hindu population.

Readings:
Ellinger, ch. 3,4, 5
Jacobs, ch.3.5.6
Fowler, ch. 5.6.7.9.10
Kraemer, ch.V, “Hinduism.”
Thomas, M.M., 49-62.
Howell, 407-420.

Week 4, 21 & 23 Feb, Reading Week

Readings:
Tennent, Part 1
Frykenberg, ch.7

Week 5, 28 Feb & 1 Mar, Buddhism I:
The Buddha; the Buddhist worldview: the four noble truths I: The human
predicament

The project proposal is due on Feb 28th.

Readings:
Harvey, 3-5, 64-86
Fernando, ch.1,3,4,6

Week 6, 6 &8 Mar, Buddhism II: The solutions
The four noble truths II: Karma, Rebirth, Nirvana

Readings:
Harvey, 86-94
Fernando, ch.7,8, 9

The first integration paper is due on March 8th.

Week 7, 13 & 15 Mar, , Buddhism III:
Morality, wisdom, poverty, and celibacy.

Readings:
Harvey, ch. 6,8
Fernando, ch. 10,11,13, 14

Week 8, 20 & 22 Mar Buddhism IV:
Historical developments: Hinayana and Mahayaha; Cross-Cultural Spread.
Buddhism as a world religion:
The diversification of the Buddhist tradition in the world today;
Contemporary revivals and reforms.

Readings:
Harvey, 5-28

Week 9, 27 & 29 Mar, Reading Week

Readings:
Tennent, Part 2

Week 10, 3 & 5 Apr, Buddhism V:
Popular forms of Buddhism;
The gods; Rites and festivals;

Readings:
Harvey, ch.3,4.5.9

The book report is due on April 5th.

Week 11, 10 & 12 Apr, Buddhism VI:
The case of the East Asia;
Christian evaluation, reflections, challenges, and evangelism
among the Buddhist population; The religious challenges to Christian
evangelism in the 21st century; Reflections on Christian responses.

Readings:
Lim, ch.1,2
Newbigin, 149-159.

Week 12, 17 & 19 Apr, Group Presentations

Week 13, 24 & 26 Apr, Group Presentations

Week 14, 1 & 3 May, Final Exam Week： Group Presentations

The second integration paper is due on May 1st.
The project file is due on May 3rd.
All topics and required readings are subject to change without notice.

Selected Bibliography

Studies of Hinduism
Ashby, Philip H., Modern Trends in Hinduism, New York: Columbia University Press,
1974
Bowen, Paul, ed., Themes and Issues in Hinduism, London: Cassell, 1998.
Brown, Kerry, ed., The Essential Teachings of Hinduism, London: Rider, 1988.
Burnett, David, The Spirit of Hinduism: A Christian Perspective on Hindu Thought,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent: Monarch, 1992;
De Bary, Wm. T., ed. Sources of Indian Tradition, vol. I and II., New York:
Columbia University Press, 1958.
Demariaux, Jean-Christophe, How to Understand Hinduism, London: SCM Press,
1995.
Devanandan, Paul David, Resurgent Hinduism: Review of Modern Movements,
Bangalore: Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, 1959.
Ellinger, Herbert, Hinduism, London: SCM Press, 1995.
Fowler, Jeaneane, Hinduism, Beliefs and Practices, Portland, Oregon: Sussex
Academic Press, 1997.
Fuller, C.J., The Camphor Flame, Popular Hinduism and Society in India, Princeton

University Press, 1992.

Jacobs, Stephen, Hinduism Today, New York: Continuum, 2010.

Klostemaier, Klaus K., A Short Introduction to Hinduism, Oxford, England: Oneworld,
1998;

-------， A Survey of Hinduism, Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press,
1989

Llewellyn, J.E., ed., Defining Hinduism, A Reader, London: Equinox, 2005.

Mann, Gurinder Singh, Paul David Numrich, and Raymond B. Williams, Buddhists,
Hindus, and Sikhs in America New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.

Neufeldt, Ronald W., Karma & Rebirth, Post Classical Developments, Albany, N.Y.:
State University of New York Press, 1986.

Renou, Louis, ed, Hinduism, New York: Washington Square Press, 1972.

Rinehart, Robin, ed. Cotemporary Hinduism, Ritual, Culture, and Practice, Santa
Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2004.

Sarma, Deepak, Hinduism: A Reader, Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub, 2008.

Sen, K.M., Hinduism, New York: Penguin Books, 1976.

Sharma, Arvind., Classical Hindu Thought: An Introduction, Oxford University Press,
2001;

Sharpe, Eric J., Thinking about Hinduism, London: Lutterworth Educational, 1971.

Zaehner, R.C., Hinduism, Oxford University Press, ?

----------, Hindu Scriptures, New York: Dent, 1966.

Studies of Buddhism

Conze, Edward, Buddhism, Its Essence and Development, London: Faber and Faber,
1963;

Corduan, Winfried, Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions ,
Downers Grove, ILL: InterVarsity Press, 1998.

Fernando, Antony and Leonard Swidler, Buddhism Made Plain, An Introduction for
Christians and Jews, Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1985.

Harvey, Peter, ed., Buddhism , London: Continuum, 2001.

Inada, Kenneth K., and Nolan P. Jacobson, eds., Buddhism and American Thinkers,
Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press, 1984.

Klostemaier, Klaus K., Buddhism: A Short Introduction, Oxford: Oneworld, 1999.

Morreale, Don ed., The Complete Guide to Buddhist America, Boston, MA:
Shambhala Pub., 1998.

Robinson, Richard H., Willard L. Johnson, and Thanissaro Bhikkhu, The Buddhist
Religions: A Historical Introduction, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning,
2005.

Schumann, H. Wolfgang, Buddhism: An Outline of its Teachings and Schools,
Wheaton, ILL: Theosophical Pub. House, 1974.

Thomas, Edward J., The History of Buddhist Thought, New York: Barnes & Noble,
1963.

Tsongkapa, The Principal Teaching of Buddhism, Howell, New Jersey: Classics of
Middle Asia, 1988.

Christians and Hindus / Buddhists

Brown, Judith M., and Robert Eric Frykenberg, eds., Christians, Cultural Interactions,
and India’s Religious Traditions , Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.

Burnett, David, The Spirit of Hinduism, A Christian Perspective on Hindu Thought,
Tunbridge Wells, Monarch, 1992.

Dharmanand, Premraj, Your Questions-Your Answers!: A Look at Questions
Commonly Posed by Hindus to Christians, Vol. 1, Dehradun: Premraj Dharmanand,
2003.

Dunne, Carrin, Buddha and Jesus: Conversations, Springfield, ILL: Templegate,
1975.

Dupuis, Jacques, Jesus Christ at the Encounter of World Religions, Maryknoll, N.Y.:
Orbis Books, 1991.

Fleming, Kenneth, Asian Christian Theologians in Dialogue with Buddhism, Oxford:
P. lang, 2002.

Forrester, Duncan B., Caste and Christianity, Attitudes and Policies on Caste of
Anglo-Saxon Protestant Missions in India, London: Curzon Press, 1980.

Frykenberg, Robert Eric, ed., Christians and Missionaries in India, Cross-cultural
Communication since 1500 , Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003.

Gidoomal, Ram and Margaret Wardell, Chapatis for Tea: Reaching your Hindu
Neighbour: A Practical Guide, Guildford, England: Highland Books, 1994.

Gross, Rita M. and Terry C. Muck, eds., Buddhists Talk about Jesus, Christians Talk
about the Buddha, New York: Continuum, 2000.

Hattaway, Paul, Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Diary, Carlisle:
Piquant, 2004.

Hogg, A.G., The Christian Message to the Hindu, London: S.C.M. Press, 1947.

Kraemer, Hendrik, The Christian Message in a Non-Christian World, Bangalore:
Centre for Contemporary Christianity, 2009;

Khung, Hans, Christianity and the World Religions: Paths of Dialogue with Islam,
Hinduism, and Buddhism, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1986.

Lim, David, Steve Spaulding, and Paul De Neui, eds., Sharing Jesus Effectively in the
Buddhist World, Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2005.

Lopez, Donald S. ed, A Modern Buddhist Bible: Essential Readings from East and
West , Boston: Beacon Press, 2002.

Pieris, Aloysius, Fire and Water: Basic Issues in Asian Buddhism and Christianity,
Marknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1996.

Pohlmann, Horst Georg, Encounters with Hinduism: A Contribution to Inter-religious
Dialogue, London: SCM Press, 1996.

Raj, Joshua, A Biblical Approach to Indian Traditions and Beliefs, Singapore,
Genesis, 2008.

Robinson, Bob, Christians Meetings Hindus, An Analysis and Theological Critique of
the Hindu-Christian Encounter in India, Regnum, 2004.

Robinson, John A.T., Truth is Two-Eyed, London: SCM Press, 1979.

Sharpe, Eric J. Faith Meets Faith, Some Christian Attitudes to Hinduism in the
Nineteenth & Twentieth Centuries, London: SCM Press, 1977.

Tennent, Timothy, Christianity at the Religious Roundtable: Evangelicalism in
Conversation with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Academic, 2002.

-------, Building Christianity on Indian Foundations: The Legacy of Brahmabandhav
Upadhyay, Delhi: ISPCK, 2000.

Thomas, M.M., “A Christ-centered Humanist Approach to Other Religions in the
Indian Pluralistic Context,” in Gavin D’Costa, ed. Christian Uniqueness Reconsidered,
the Myth of a Pluralistic Theology of Religions, Mayknoll, N.Y.: orbis Books, 1990,
pp49-62.

Tsering, Marku, Sharing Christ in the Tibetan Buddhist World, Upper Darby, PA:
InterServe, 1993.

Vroom, H.M., No Other Gods: Christian Belief in Dialogue with Buddhism, Hinduism,
and Islam, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.

Yandell, Keith and Harold Netland, Buddhism: A Christian Exploration and Appraisal,
Downers grove, ILL: IVP Academic, 2009.

Zacharias, Ravi K., The Lotus and the Cross: Jesus Talks with Buddha, Sisters, Ore:
Multnomah Publishers, 2001.