HSUHK | CCCO

TRA1224 Living in Buddhism: In Dialogue with Bilingual Sūtras

Department
School of Translation and Foreign Languages
Method
Lecture 3 hours
Cluster
1 (Humanities)

Prerequisite

GEN1000 Perspectives on General Education

Exclusion

Nil

Module Description

With reference to selected Mahāyāna sūtras in Chinese and English, the module is designed to help students get familiar with the wisdom of living in Buddhism and ways of expressing Buddhist concepts in both languages. In addition to acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the history of Buddhist scripture translation, students are encouraged to (1) explore the essence of Buddhist philosophy and the internationalisation of Buddhism and (2) identify solutions to personal challenges and social issues through Buddhist scriptures.

Module Intended Learning Outcomes (MILO)

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to: 
a. demonstrate a good understanding of Buddhist scriptures and their global dissemination
b. analyse common terms and expressions in Buddhist scriptures
c. identify solutions to personal challenges and social issues through Buddhist sūtras
d. explain the essence of Buddhist philosophy

Module Content

1. Introduction

  • 1.1 The biography of the Buddha
  • 1.2 Buddhist scripture translation: Key concepts and history
  • 1.3 The global dissemination of Buddhist scriptures

2. Emptiness: The wisdom of the Heart Sūtra

  • 2.1 An introduction to the translation of the Heart Sūtra
  • 2.2 What is “the Perfection of Wisdom” (prajñāpāramitā 般若波羅蜜多)?
  • 2.3 What is “Emptinesss” (śūnyatā 空 性) ?
  • 2.4 The Mantra: gate gate pāragate pārasaṃgate bodhi svāhā

3. Non-abidance: The wisdom of the Diamond Sūtra

  • 3.1 An introduction to the translation of the Diamond Sūtra
  • 3.2 The true nature of Buddhas
  • 3.3 The spiritual life of Bodhisattvas
  • 3.4 The practice of the Perfection of Wisdom in daily living

4. Non-duality: The wisdom of the Vimalakīrti Sūtra

  • 4.1 An introduction to the translation of the Vimalakīrti Sūtra
  • 4.2 Allusions in the Vimalakīrti Sūtra
  • 4.3 Vimalakīrti and his teachings
  • 4.4 The idea of nondualism in Buddhism

5. Concentration: The wisdom of the Platform Sūtra

  • 5.1 An introduction to the translation of the Platform Sūtra
  • 5.2 What is “Chan” (dhyana 禪)?
  • 5.3 The history and practice of Chan Buddhism
  • 5.4 Meditation and enlightenment in Buddhism

6. Non-retrogression: The wisdom of the Amitābha Sūtra

  • 6.1 An introduction to the translation of the Amitābha Sūtra
  • 6.2 Where is “the Pure Land” (sukhāvatī 極樂)?
  • 6.3 The Practice of Pure Land Buddhism
  • 6.4 Thoughts on establishing Humanistic Pure Land

7. Filial piety: The wisdom of the Kṣitigarbha Sūtra

  • 7.1 An introduction to the translation of the Kṣitigarbha Sūtra
  • 7.2 The story of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva
  • 7.3 “Filial piety” in Buddhism
  • 7.4 The perception of afterlife in Buddhism

8. Buddhist scripture translation in the 21st century

  • 8.1 The re-translation of Buddhist scriptures
  • 8.2 Digital tools for reading and translating Buddhist scriptures
  • 8.3 Innovative approaches to promoting Buddhist doctrines

Assessment Methods

  1. Participation (10%)
  2. Exercises/Assignments (30%)
  3. Quizzes/Tests (10%)
  4. Project
    1. Presentation (10%)
    2. Essay (40%)

Texts & References

1. Conze, Edward. (1951). Buddhism: Its Essence and Development. Oxford: Bruno Cassirer.

2. Harvey, Peter. (2012). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History, and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

3. Karunadasa. Y. (2018). Early Buddhist Teachings. Boston: Wisdom Publications.

4. Lock, Graham & Gary S. Linebarger. (2018). Chinese Buddhist Texts: An Introductory Reader. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

5. Soothill, William Edward. (1937). A Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms: With Sanskrit and English Equivalents and a Sanskrit-Pali Index. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner and Co. Ltd.

6. Williams, Paul. (2008). Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations. London & New York: Routledge.

7. 大正新修大藏經刊行會（1988）。《大正新脩大藏經》。東京：大藏出版株式會 社。

8. 水野弘元（著）。劉欣如（譯）（2007）。《佛典成立史》。台北：東大圖書。

9. 平川彰（著）；莊崑木（譯）（2004）。《印度佛教史》。台北：商周出版。

10. 印順（1994）。《初期大乘佛教之起源與開展》。新竹：正聞出版。

11. 法鼓文化編輯部（2014）。《讀經 50問》。台北：法鼓文化。

12. 淨海（2017）。《西方各國佛教略史》。台北：法鼓文化。

13. 植木雅俊（2019）。《梵文「維摩経」翻訳語彙典》。京都市 : 法蔵館。

14. 塚本啟祥（1996-2003）。《インド佛教の碑銘研究》（I – III）。京都：平楽寺書 店。

15. 鐮田茂雄（著）。關世謙（譯）（2009-2012）。《中國佛教通史．第一至六 卷》。高雄：佛光出版社。