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Prerequisites
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesIntroduction to Eastern Religions (B-KUL-A02E9A)
N. 
This course is taught every three years (2026-2027, 2029-2030...)Aims
This course aims to enable students to
- gain insight into the particularity of Indian religions
- comprehend and explain important concepts, ideas and practices in Indian religions
- understand how important religious views and practices are related to the historical evolution of religions in India
- comprehend the complexity of religion in contemporary India
- critically assess Western representations of Indian religions
Previous knowledge
No specific prerequisites.
Identical courses
This course is identical to the following courses:
A02E8A : Inleiding tot de oosterse religies
Is included in these courses of study
- Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies (Abridged Programme) (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies (Leuven) 180 ects.
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven) (Minor Liberal Arts with Language Track French) 180 ects.
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven) (Minor Liberal Arts with Language Track German) 180 ects.
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Leuven) (Minor Theology and Religious Studies) 180 ects.
- Micro-credential Academy World Religions and Interreligious Dialogue (Leuven) 20 ects.
Activities
4 ects. Introduction to Eastern Religions (B-KUL-A02E9a)
Content
Content
- Eastern Religions
- Hinduism
- (Jainism)
- (Sikhism)
- Buddhism
- Confucianism
- Taoism
- Shintoism
Course material
Course Book:
C. Scott Littleton (General Editor), The Sacred East, An illustrated Guide to Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto (Berkely: Seastone, 1996).
Other reading material will be announced during the course and can be found on Toledo after the lecture.
Reference Books
Willard G. Oxtoby and Roy C. Amore (editors), World Religions, Eastern Traditions (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003).
Michael D. Coogan (general editor), Eastern Religions (London: Duncan Baird Publishers, 2005).
Mel Thompson, Teach Yourself, Eastern Philosophy (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2003).
Format: more information
Several basic texts will be read and explained together.
In addition, the student will also get some experiences of what these religions have to offer on a spiritual level.
This course will be mainly based on lectures taught by the professor that will provide an insight into the world of Eastern religions.
In order to gain more insight into the various forms of thinking, there will be moments of discussion with the students about certain topics, persons from the religion come to speak, and a trip to a particular Eastern religion nearby.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Introduction to Eastern Religions (B-KUL-A22E9a)
Explanation
A list of questions will be provided in preparation for the exam. During the exam, the student will be given four questions from this list to answer.
The criteria for the evaluation are: the way in which the answer is constructed, logical and at the same time personal, critical and at the same time self-critical, with a good knowledge of the Eastern Religions that is at the same time open to other religious or philosophical traditions.
The student gets a second exam chance during the next exam period with the same modality.
Questionnaire will be available on Toledo a few weeks before the exams.