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E17: Pure Land Buddhism and Zen

The Great Courses Presents: Sacred Texts of the World | Lectures

Two distinctive forms of Buddhism took root in Japan. Learn first about the Pure Land School, which directs spiritual efforts toward entering a celestial realm where seekers can learn the dharma. Through Zen scriptures and koans (paradoxical sayings used

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Lectures

Reading Other People's Scriptures

Throughout history, the world's sacred texts have held profound significance for the cultures that produced them. Consider five key reasons for the importance o...

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Hinduism and the Vedas

Grasp the nature and roles of sacred writings within Hinduism, as contrasted with the Judeo-Christian tradition. Learn about the structure of the Vedas, compris...

58 views | 3 years ago updated

What Is Heard - Upanishads

The Upanishads constitute the philosophical or wisdom texts of the Hindu Vedas. Study the composition of the Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads, containing...

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What Is Remembered - Epics

A second body of Hindu sacred writings encompasses literature, texts that explore the nature of dharma, the eternal laws and principles that give meaning and sh...

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Laws of Manu and Bhagavad Gita

Learn about the huge canon of Hindu sutras, shastras, Puranas, and Tantra. Delve into two highly influential texts: the Laws of Manu, outlining rules, customs a...

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Related Traditions - Sikh Scriptures

Trace the evolution of the Sikh religion, and the lineage of gurus that produced the faith's sacred text, the Adi Granth. Study the composition of the Adi Grant...

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Judaism - People of the Book

In approaching the sacred texts of Judaism, learn the dramatic history of the Aleppo Codex, a historically significant copy of the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible). Tr...

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Five Books of Torah

Study the contents of the Torah - the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Then consider two kinds of responses to the text - the reli...

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Prophets and Writings

Through the Prophets, chart the unfolding of the political and religious history of ancient Israel. Then explore the rich spectrum of the Writings, containing s...

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Apocrypha and Dead Sea Scrolls

Taste the stories and historical narratives of the Apocrypha (included in Catholic but not Jewish or Protestant Bibles), noting their thematic emphasis on the s...

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Oral Torah - Mishnah and Talmud

Within Judaism, two central texts form the basis for devotion to God through study. Grasp the nature of the Mishnah, a body of legal judgments and maxims teachi...

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Related Traditions - Zoroastrian Scriptures

Zoroastrianism envisions the universe as ruled by good and evil beings of equal status. Study its principal sacred text, the Avesta, comprising books of hymns, ...

Grant Hardy | 58 views | 3 years ago updated

The Three Baskets of Buddhism

This lecture introduces the huge library of Buddhist scriptures. Study the origins and contents of the three major Buddhist canons - the Pali canon, the Chinese...

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Vinaya and Jataka

Here, investigate two prominent types of Buddhist scriptures and how they are used. Delve into the Vinaya, regulations and stories comprising rules for living f...

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Theravada Sutras

Among textual riches of the Theravada tradition of Buddhism is the Buddha's teaching on the origins of suffering. Contemplate the Therigatha, poems of women's e...

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Mahayana Sutras

The Mahayana Sutras are those of the East Asian tradition. Study the Mahayana conceptions of the perfection of wisdom and the nature of emptiness, non-duality, ...

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Pure Land Buddhism and Zen

Two distinctive forms of Buddhism took root in Japan. Learn first about the Pure Land School, which directs spiritual efforts toward entering a celestial realm ...

52 views | 3 years ago updated

Tibetan Vajrayana

In studying the remarkable and elaborate Tibetan canon, grasp how Vajrayana Buddhism combines the Mahayana philosophy of the perfection of wisdom with Tantra, s...

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Related Traditions - Jain Scriptures

Jainism, a sister religion to Buddhism, maintains an unusual relationship to scripture. Explore the principles and ascetic customs of the faith's two groups, th...

3 years ago updated

Five Confucian Classics

Here, confront the intriguing question of whether Confucianism is a religion or a philosophy. Learn about the Confucian canon and how it became the foundation o...

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Four Books of Neo-Confucianism

In a second look at Confucianism, investigate the renowned Yijing and how its system of divination has actual practical applications. Then delve into Neo-Confuc...

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Daoism and the Daodejing

The foundational text of Daoism, the Daodejing, speaks of the Way (Dao), a transcendent order underlying all phenomena. In excerpts from the text, contemplate t...

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The Three Caverns of Daoist Scriptures

The full canon of Daoism comprises roughly 1500 texts. Study seminal scriptures such as the Neiye, the Huainanzi, the Scripture on Great Peace, and the Declarat...

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Related Traditions - Shinto and Tenrikyo

Explore the customs and rituals of the Japanese Shinto religion, aimed at harmonizing the human and natural worlds. Study excerpts from its revered texts, compr...

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Christian Testaments Old and New

In approaching Christian scripture, trace the complex origins of the New Testament, beginning with the letters of Paul and the Gospels. Follow the proliferation...

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Gospels and Acts

The New Testament Gospels present four distinct accounts of the life of Jesus of equal authority. Compare the discrepancies between the four Gospels, taking not...

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Letters and Apocalypse

Letters, as exemplified in the New Testament writings, were an important means of instruction in the early church. Study seven key letters written by Paul, spea...

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Apocryphal Gospels

Alongside the four canonical Gospels, competing accounts of Jesus's life emerged, which we now call "apocryphal." Here, discover the Gospel of Peter, which dire...

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Related Traditions - Mormon Scriptures

The Mormon religion offers its own unique scriptures, used in conjunction with the Christian Bible. Learn about the Book of Mormon, an epic religious-historical...

52 views | 3 years ago updated

Islam and Scriptural Recitation

The remarkable oral tradition in Islam mandates that the Qur'an be recited and regards memorization as an act of devotion. Delve into the Qur'an's origins in th...

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Holy Qur'an

Study the Qur'an's structure and contents, noting how the message of faith - revolutionary for its time - is spread throughout the suras (chapters). Read the be...

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Hadith and Sufism

The Islamic Hadith recounts the actions and sayings of Muhammad. Study the sources and composition of this revered body of texts, and observe how they provide g...

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Related Traditions - Baha'i Scriptures

Trace the 19th-century emergence of Baha'i, a distinctive faith with origins in Iran. Learn about the tenets of the religion and the huge canon of scriptures wr...

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Abandoned Scriptures - Egyptian and Mayan

This lecture explores the value of studying sacred texts from traditions that have not survived. Read striking excerpts from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, a co...

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Secular Scripture - U.S. Constitution

Here, uncover thought-provoking parallels between religious texts and certain secular ones. With reference to the key ways in which scriptures are received and ...

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Heavenly Books, Earthly Connections

Conclude with Professor Hardy's recommendations, from each of the major religious traditions, of specific texts with which to begin your own reading of sacred w...

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Previews

Sacred Texts of the World Promo

Throughout history, religious expression has been an essential human activity, deeply influencing the development of cultures and civilizations. Today, even aft...

Grant Hardy | 60 views | 3 years ago updated