HKIA03022U Interdisciplinary Issues in Asian Studies: Money, Monks and Buddhist Marketplaces in Asia

Volume 2014/2015
Education
Udbydes efter studieordning for kandidatuddannelsen i Asienstudier 2008-ordningen
Content

This course explores the multifarious relationships between economy and Buddhism, money matters and monasteries, wealth and virtue in Asia. Western perceptions of Buddhism often consider Buddhist ethics encompassing a non-engagement with economic activity, a “noneconomic spirituality” (Obadia 2011), but numerous ethnographic and historical examples demonstrate the intricate entanglement of religion and economy that challenge pre-conceived notions of the moral ramifications of economic engagements. 

We investigate topics like the commercialization of Buddhist artifact production; the monastic communities' income-generating activities; businessmen's sponsorship of Buddhist activities; the commodification of sacred landscape; Buddhist narratives of how to acquire and distribute wealth; and Buddhist approaches to mitigate social-economic inequalities. We discuss relevant methodological and theoretical issues, not only interdisciplinary but also across the Buddhist territories of Asia.

Learning Outcome


Asienstudier KA 2008-ordning:

Tværfagligt tema:
Koreastudier (fagelementkode HKOK03431E)
Tibetologi (fagelementkode HTIK03021E)
Japanstudier (fagelementkode HJAK03032E)
Indonesisk (fagelementkode HFKK00356E)
Indologi (fagelementkode HIDK03021E)
Kinastudier (fagelementkode HKIK03022E)
Thai (fagelementkode HFKK00372E)

To be announced in Absalon

Lectures, discussions, student presentations, guest lecturers
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 14
  • Preparation
  • 398,5
  • Total
  • 412,5
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Other
Criteria for exam assesment