Spring 2006
Ashok Gangadean

Course Description:
A critical exploration of classical Hindu thought (Vedanta) in a global and comparative context. Special focus on selected Principal Upanisads, a close meditative reading of the Bhagavad Gita and an in-depth exploration of Shankara's Brahmasutra Commentary.

This course explores fundamental philosophical themes in classical Hindu thought. The course opens with a study of selected texts from the Upanisads. The first part of the course is an intensive study of the Bhagavadgita. This is developed in a global context of philosophy with critical comparison with classical texts in the European traditions Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Descartes and others.

The student is oriented in the methods and dialectics of meditative thinking which is rigorously and systematically developed in classical Hindu thought. This introduction to meditative life is developed through direct participation, performance and experimentation, and brings out the inherent limitations in egocentric thinking showing why such conduct of mind produces existential suffering and disorders.

The second part of this course is an intensive study of the great commentary by Sankara (7th Century, A.D., who developed Advaita <non-dual> Vedanta) on the Brahmasutras.

In this advanced text in the phenomenology of meditative discourse the student enters into a powerful critique of dual thinking and experiences the foundations of natural reason in the non-dual (Advaita) methods of conducting the mind. This course seeks to cultivate the deepest understanding of the meditative teachings through a direct encounter with meditative thought.

Prerequisite:
At least one course in philosophy.

Requirements:
A short (three page) paper on an assigned topic from the text just before midterm; an intensive oral midterm conference (four students, one-and-a-half hour) based on detailed midterm review questions and a preliminary written draft response; a comprehensive final paper (16-20 pages, in lieu of exam) on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor, and due at the end of exam period; class attendance and participation are also important.

Readings:
1) Bhagavadgita (tr. Deutsch)
2) Advaita Vedanta by Deutsch
3) Brahmasutra Commentary by Sankara
4) Optional: Meditative Reason by Gangadean