REL 132 Introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist Traditions
This course examines the 2500 year old religion known to us as Buddhism.' After its beginnings in India, Buddhism eventually spread to all of Asia, and profoundly influenced much of human history. In the last century, Buddhas, Buddhists, Buddhist terms, and Buddhist ideas have achieved a real prominence in the West- and have produced not a little confusion as well. In this course we will explore who Buddhists are, what Buddhists believe, and what Buddhists do.