DI4750 Themes and Texts in Christian-Buddhist Dialogue

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

10am - 1pm Wed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof M I Aguilar

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof M I Aguilar

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module examines the foundations of Christianity and Buddhism and the possibility of dialogue between these two faiths/world religions. The possibilities of dialogue between a theistic and an atheistic religion are explored through themes such as silence, meditation and service as well as through theological texts by important authors, e.g. John, the 14th Dalai Lama, Raimon Pannikar, and Shantideva. This module has practical components such as periods of meditation, the recitation of sacred texts and the listening of music and mantras.

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

267

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Account for the foundations of Christianity and Buddhism and the possibility of dialogue between these two faiths/world religions as well as knowledge and understanding of the historical and theological understanding of both.
  • Ooutline the main possibilities and opportunities of a dialogue between theistic and non-theistic traditions by discussing issues of silence, service, and the study of texts.
  • Show an ability to read the primary texts in their historical context, and to access and evaluate critically the scholarly work of others.
  • Identify central texts, mantras and methods of meditation used by practitioners of Christianity and Buddhism.