The Buddhist Universe (ARTS10005)

There exists a whole world of knowledge beyond the borders of the Western canon, with the power to reshape how we think about key issues in contemporary society.

Buddhism began as an ascetic movement in ancient India, and over the course of two and a half millennia, has grown into diverse and vibrant world religion with over 520 million followers. This subject traces how Buddhism changed and adapted, and how new doctrines and practices were woven into the tapestry of this tradition as it moved across regions. In this subject, you will explore Buddhism’s complex history, philosophy, material culture, and ritual practice, and learn to apply Buddhist thought to illuminate contemporary debates, from climate change and gender equality to financial regulation and AI.   

Tutorials for this subject take place in the object-based learning lab. Alongside the development of academic skills, you will gain skills in object handling, conservation, and description as you encounter diverse, historical materials from the University’s cultural collections.

The Buddhist Universe is available as a Bachelor of Arts Discovery subject, supporting your introduction to university and fostering connections within your course. If you are taking this as your Discovery subject, you will need to concurrently complete the three compulsory Joining Melbourne modules.