PAPER TOPICS

Mysticism Paper,        :  Part One:  During his Enlightenment did the Buddha have a mystical experience, according to the revised OED definition of mysticism? More specifically, did the Buddha experience the complete dissolution of his identity or is there still a distinction between him and what he is perceiving? Secondly, was what he experienced ineffable, that is, beyond human comprehension?  Please use only the direct account of the Enlightenment and not the introductory material by Ashvagosha in the first column. Also make sure that you consider the various types of mysticism at the end of the web reading.

Part Two of Mysticism Paper: Is the meditation described in the Cannon reading (on reserve) a mystical experience?  What is the relationship between meditative experiences and mystical experiences? In Pali Buddhism there are two types of meditation: calming meditation (samatha-bhavana) and insight meditation (vipassana-bhavana). The first is designed to calm the passions, to rid people of their craving selves, and to maximize sympathy for all living beings. The second technique is more intellectual and results in prajna, the highest form of knowledge the Buddha attained. It consists of basic propositional knowledge and can be phrased in sentences such as "all things are impermanent" and "there is no Atman."

Note:  You may use your own definition of mysticism, but make sure that it covers mystical experiences in all cultures.

Paper on Milinda: Explain Nagasena's argument (Stryk, 90-94top) against the substantial self that both Greeks and Hindus believe in. The first argument appears to conclude that the self is only a name ("nominalism") but the second argument maintains that the self is more than a name; rather, it is a collection of transitory parts ("bundle" theory of the self). What is the connection between these two arguments? Are they complementary or inconsistent? 

Optional second part to Milinda Paper:  Some students may be able to adequately answer this question in one plus pages, while others with interest in philosophy of mind and language may take the full two-three pages.  For the first group of students, please use the second and/or third page to explain the best argument Nagasena gives for how karma is carried into the next life.

Nagarjuna Paper due on November 2. Please write a two-three-page paper on the quatrains assigned to your group.  Give an interpretation of the philosophical puzzles found in your quatrains.  On the phrases Being and non-Being, inherent vs. relative existence=conventional existence, you must decide what type of Being/being Nagarjuna is referring to. See glossary of terms here.  The paper is worth 20 pts.

You must consult at last three translations on reserve or found on this website.  I have also placed photocopies of Garfield's commentary on reserve in the philosophy department for you to copy. 

Group Assignments:

#1: Do Chap. 1 (Causality/ Conditions): 11-14.

#2: Do Chap. 25 (Nirvana): 1-3.

#3: Do Chap. 25 (Nirvana): 5-8.

#4: Do Chap. 25 (Nirvana): 9-12.

#5: Do Chap. 25 (Nirvana): 13-16.

Siddhartha Paper, December 5. Read Herman Hesse's Siddhartha and offer an interpretation of the book. You may spend only one page summarizing the story. Focus your thoughts on four of the following issues:

(1) Siddhartha's identity. Who is he?

(2) Why is the first issue the conquering of Self?  Why is this a Self rather than self?

(3) What type of transcendentalism does the book represent?

(4) What type of Buddhism is presented? Theravadin or Mahayana? Neither? Is it Tantric (Tibetan) or Zen?  Be sure and use Anderson and Stryk materials here or other resources.

(5) What is the significance of the mantra OM, which incidentally, by itself, is not a Buddhist mantra.

(6) What type of mysticism does the book represent?

(7) Those of you who have had the Hinduism course should consider the Vedantists aspects of the book. Your paper must be seven pages, double-spaced typed.