Studies in Indian Religions: Buddhist Karma and Causality

Subject associations
REL 536
Term
Spring 2024
Instructors
Jonathan C. Gold
Registrar description

This course examines classical Indian philosophical and narrative sources to interrogate Buddhist approaches to karmic causality. Main topics are: problems of personal continuity; typologies of causes, conditions and results; agency and responsibility; confession and repentance; dedication of merit; and the path to liberation as a causal system. In addition, students are asked to evaluate constructive scholarship that applies Buddhist karmic approaches to current concerns, including the instructor's work in progress.