ASIA 3Introduction to the Religions of the East

3 credits · Asian Studies · Penn State

Religious experience, thought, patterns of worship, morals, and institutions in relation to culture in Eastern religions. RLST 3 / ASIA 3 Introduction to the Religions of the East (3) (GH;IL)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This course will explore the foundations, development, and diversity of religious traditions in Asia, focusing mostly on Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. It is organized according to two sections: Foundations and Developments. The Foundations section provides an introduction to the worldviews and practices of Eastern teachings. We will also discuss the structure of society, the social expectations on individuals based on gender and class, and rituals, which expose us to rich mythologies or intricate ceremonies. The second section, Developments, traces the evolution of religious doctrine and practice through history. Here, we learn to distinguish among large and small-scale movements and schools, and to familiarize ourselves with the geographical scope of each religion in South, Southeast, and East Asia. An abiding emphasis in this course will be on how to read and interpret the varied scriptures and primary texts of these religions.