MLA Proseminar: Asian Religions

This course is an introduction to the wide variety of religious beliefs, practices, and ritual technologies in Asia. These religious traditions are not investigated in isolation. Each Asian tradition, like each Western religion, is syncretic and multiple, full of internal contradictions and presenting diverse definitions of the sacred and profane. They each “structure” and are often comfortable with “their own multiplicity.” While we look at traditions such as Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Zen, and Shinto, we constantly question their boundaries and integrity. Week by week the panoply (or perhaps cacophony) of types and perceptions of religious experience, ritual, knowledge, directives, motives, and aspirations as displayed in these traditions are touched upon. We also think hard about the ways we approach the study of religion and question the very study of Asian religions and world religions in general. This course seeks to generate questions, promote critical inquiry, and elaborate on ways the sacred has been made and continues to be made tangible and the vicissitudes of life made meaningful in Asia.