RELST 3341

Mahayana Buddhism

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This course will explore the origins and early developments of a movement in Indian Buddhism known as the Great Vehicle. We will intensively examine a small slice of this movement's voluminous literature so as to better understand its call for a new spiritual orientation within Buddhism. Topics of discussion will include the career of the bodhisattva, the lay/monk distinction, attitudes of Mahayanists toward women and other Buddhists, and the development of Buddhist utopias and transcendent buddhas.

Distribution Requirements (CA-AG, LA-AG), (ALC-AS)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025SP, 2022SP, 2020SP, 2018SP

View Enrollment Information