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142175 SE Classification of living beings in Jain thought: The doctrine of 8.4 million embodiments (2020S)

10.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 36 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The registration for this course is possible until Wednesday, 18.3. In case you can not register here, please write to: judith.starecek@univie.ac.at

  • Thursday 05.03. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 19.03. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 26.03. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 02.04. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 23.04. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 30.04. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 07.05. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 14.05. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 28.05. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 04.06. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 18.06. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Thursday 25.06. 15:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The subject of the course is a Jaina belief according to which the number of possible embodiments of a soul would comprise, in total, 8.4 million. This belief is at least 1500 years old and still plays a role today, as the classes of possible embodiments are enumerated in certain mental exercises, where they bring to mind all forms of life, which are not be harmed acccording to the central principle of non-violence (ahiṃsā).

In the course we will examine the history of this belief in Jaina Sanskrit and Prakrit sources. In the first half of the semester, we will trace two late attestations from the 15th and 16th centuries through numerous medieval sources (8th-12th centuries) back to the 5th/6th centuries CE, the period when the doctrine is first attested in the Sarvārthasiddhi, a Sanskrit work by Devanandin. In the second half of the semester, precursors of the teaching in the Digambara scriptures and the Śvetāmbara canon will be examined, notably the classifications of living beings in the Mūlācāra, the Dasaveyāliyasutta and the Uttarajjhāyāsutta.

The course offers an introduction into the rich textual sources of Jainism. Excerpts from numerous Sanskrit works will be read in the original and excerpts from Prakrit works will be read with the help of their Sanskrit commentaries and their translation into modern languages.

Assessment and permitted materials

The assessment is based on the oral performance during the course (50%) and on a seminar paper (50%). Participants are expected to prepare the assigned texts comprehensively and in depth, and to translate and interpret them independently, based on their exploration of the thematic context by means of the relevant secondary literature. Furthermore, participants are encouraged to engage in the critical discussion of selected secondary sources in the sessions and to independently consult and present additional primary materials in class. The seminar paper (ca. 15 pages) will be based on such additional research and should consist of the translation of primary text excerpts and their discussion in the context of the topics dealt with in the course.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Intermediate knowledge of Sanskrit is required for the participation, the knowledge of Prakrit is not required. Depending on the preference of the participants the working language of the course will be either German or English.

Examination topics

Extracts from primary literature and secondary literature, which are announced before the individual sessions, and an individual reading list for the preparation of the seminar paper.

Reading list

Introduction
[On 8.4 million embodiments in Jainism:] Cort, J., 2006: Green Jainism? Notes and Queries toward a Possible Jain Environment Ethic. In: Jainism and Ecology: Nonviolence in the Web of Life. Ed. by Ch.K. Chapple. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass 2006, p. 75.
[On the significance of the number 84 and its decimal multiples:] McEvilley, T.: The Shape of Ancient Thought. Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies. New York: Allworth Press 2002, pp. 139f.

Selected bibliography:
Bārasa-Aṇu­vekkhā. Kundakunda-viracitaḥ Ṣaṭprabhṛtādisaṃgrahaḥ. Ed. by Pt. Pannalal Soni. (MDJG 17). Bombay: Nathuram Premi 1920, pp. 427-442.
Dasaveyāliyasutta. The Dasaveyāliya Sutta ed. by E. Leumann and translated by W. Schubring. Ahmedabad: Sheth Anandji Kalianji 1932 [= Schubring 1977: 109-248].
Mūlācāravṛtti. Ed. by K.Ch. Shastri, J.L. Shastri, P. Jain Sahityacharya. ). 3rd edition New Delhi: Bharatiya Jnanapith 1999.
Okuda, K., 1975: Eine Digamara-Dogmatik. Das fünfte Kapitel von Vaṭṭakeras Mūlācāra herausgegeben, übersetzt und kommentiert. (ANIS 15). Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag.
Schubring, W., 1935: Die Lehre der Jainas nach den alten Quellen dargestellt. Berlin und Leipzig: Walter De Gruyter & Co.
Tat­tvārtha­rāja­vārt­ti­ka. Ed. by Mahendrakumār Jain. 6th ed. Delhi 2001.
Tattvārthādhigmasūtrabhāṣyaṭīkā. Two parts. Ed. by H.R. Kapadia. Bombay: Jivanchand Sakerchand Javeri 1926, 1930.

Association in the course directory

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Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:20