REL 505: The Upanishads and the Bhagavad GitaDebashish Banerji, Ph.D. This course reviews the wisdom of the Upanishads, among the first to expound the primacy of consciousness, and the essence of Hindu spirituality in the context of the Gita - The Song of God. The Upanishads are unique treatises of consciousness. It is said that hearing them with understanding leads to liberation from ignorance. The major themes of the Upanishads will be examined with not only philosophy, but with integral realization in mind. Student Learning Outcomes for This CourseOutcome #1: Students will understand human destiny and its relationship to ignorance (Avidya) and knowledge (Vidya.) Outcome #2: Students will understand the applicability of the four forms of knowledge as practice and as goal. Outcome #3: Students will compare and apply models of Upanishadic society to contemporary community. Outcome #4: Students will perceive and apply the teachings of the Gita in contemporary life. Course Sessions and TopicsThis course is organized into ten, one-hour audiotape sessions. The introductory session is presented in both an audio and video format to better acquaint the student with professor Banerji. The ten sessions are organized into a thoughtful effective presentation on this topic. We recommend you study the course tapes in their sequential order: The Upanishads: Lectures 1 - 5
Required ReadingSri Aurobindo, The Philosophy of the Upanishads , Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry , 1994. H. Maheshwari, Bhagavad Gita in the Light of Sri Aurobindo, Sri Aurobindo Ashram , Pondicherry, Recommended ReadingSri Aurobindo, The Upanishads, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, 1972. S. Radhakrishnan, The Principal Upanishads, Harper & Brothers, New York, 1953. Sri Aurobindo, Essays on the Gita, Sri Aurobindo Ashrom, Pondicherry, 1972. H. Maheshwari, From Crisis to Liberation , Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, 1987.Phone Conferences– Wednesdays April 18 and May 16, 2007From 5:00 to 6:00 P.M., Pacific Coast Time , all students participate in these conferences with professor Banerji. Each of these two conferences have been designed around topics and issues, however, the first conference will also give you an opportunity to clarify any questions related to the course. Please see Conference Call Calendar and Teleconference Codes for instructions. Topics and Issues for First Conference Call – Wednesday April 18, 20071. Review tapes 1 - 2 and be prepared to discuss Upanishadic Speech, Upanishadic Society and Brahman.Topics and Issues for Second Conference Call – Wednesday May 16. 20072. Review tapes 3 - 7 and be prepared to discuss Knowledge, Dharma and Karma, and Love and Sacrifice.Email Discussion Group "holmesspirit"Email discussion groups encourage group discussion on the topics, issues and concepts presented in each course. Students are encouraged to use this discussion forum to share their ideas, insights and questions with one another. A single email message reaches all students and the faculty member at one time. This discussion group has also been put in place to help remove some of the geographic isolation that may be felt between students, and add an extra link to the natural and vital bond that develops in any spiritual community. All students with a current email address listed with Holmes Institute are automatically subscribed to the email discussion group for this course. Use this email address: If you desire to respond to an individual in the group, please use his/her personal email address on your class roster or the Faculty Directory for Spring Quarter 2007 Course Outline - Weeks 1 through 5This outline gives a brief description of how to pace your self-study and gauge your progress in the required course activities throughout the academic quarter. Lesson Objective : By the end of the fifth week,
on their 4- 5 page feedback report, 1. Discuss the spiritual approach of the Upanishads historically, idiomatically and thematically. 2. Discuss and describe aspects of Upanishadic society. 3. Identify and report appropriate statements describing
the reality and relationship of Glossary of Terms: The Glossary of Terms included in this Syllabus is meant to be a punctuation guide as well as a guide to the meanings of Sanskrit terms used in the Upanishads and the Gita. Please refer to the glossary when listening to the tapes and doing your reading. Required Reading:The Philosophy of the Upanishads, pages 1 to 75 Lecture Tapes: Listen to tape lectures 1 - 5 Assessment Experiences:
Assessment #2:Essay exam. Write short essay answers to several questions that will be emailed to you by April 23, 2007 . Your essays must be sent back to the instructor postmarked no later than May 7, 2007. All papers must be submitted by US Mail; no faxed or email submissions will be accepted for this class. See contact information in Faculty Directory for Spring Quarter 2007 for mailing address . Course Outline - Weeks 6 through 10Lesson Objectives: By the end of the tenth week, in a written report, students will be able 4. to express in writing the centrality of “Dharma” in the Gita and as it pertains to contemporary life. 5. to write a comparison of the concepts of Avatar and Vibhuti. 6. to develop a synthesis statement of Works, Knowledge and Love as discussed in the Yoga of the Gita. Required Reading: Read in, The Message of the Gita, the following sequence:
Lecture Tapes: Listen to tape lectures 6-10. Assessment Experiences: Assessment Experience #4: Final Examination : your exam will be emailed to you by May 24, 2007 . Your final examination must be postmarked on or before June 4, 2007. All papers must be submitted by US Mail; no faxed or email submissions will be accepted for this class. See contact information in Faculty Directory for Spring Quarter 2007 for mailing address.
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