BSPT4000

The Upanishads, within Hindu philosophical and theological traditions, are considered as canonical. They are known as "sabda pramana," words that are a means of knowledge founded on revelation. The insights of the Upanishads form the conceptual basis of later Hindu scriptural literature, and ground all later Hindu theologies.The primary subject matter of the Upanishads is theological anthropology--the nature of one's self in relation to the Supreme Divine or Ultimate Reality. They are seen as a mirror to the psychological complexity of the inner life of the individual as well as reflecting the multi-tiered complexity of the universe itself. Additionally, the Upanishads offer deep insights on the relationship of the One to the Many. This course will focus on the underlying philosophy of the Upanishads. The concept of Monism, which pervades the Upanishads, will be explored in depth--with the help of the commentaries of Adi Shankararcharya (c. 9th B.C.E), the founder of the first systematic philosophical theology in Hinduism. Also, they have influenced many aspects of Western thought including the works of the Transcendentalists. This course is suitable for MA, MDiv, MTS, PhD, and ThD students. Doctoral students will do additional research. The course is lecture/seminar format, and the evaluation method includes reflection & research papers. Basic familiarity with Hinduism would be very helpful, though not essential.

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