CAPSULE COURSE
Offered by
The School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions

• Course Title: Certificate in Nālandā Masters: Philosophy and the Art of Debate
• Minimum Eligibility: Class XII/ Intermediate/ 10+2
• Course Fee: INR ₹ 3000
• Course Duration: 1 Semester
• Teaching Mode: ONLINE
• Class Timings: 06:00 pm to 07:30 pm (Two classes in a week)
• Faculty Name: DR. POOJA DABRAL

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Nālandā, the distinguished seat of learning in India, cultivated an exceptional lineage of scholars including Master Nāgārjuna, Āryadeva, Āryabhata, Asaṅga, Vasubandhu, Guṇamati, Sthiramati, Dignāga, Dharmapāla, Buddhapālita, Bhāvaviveka, Chandragomin, Chandrakīrti, Vimuktisena, Dharmakīrti, Śīlabhadra, Śubhākarasiṃha, Vajrabodhi, Amoghavajra, Śāntarakṣita, Kamalasīla, Śāntideva, Haribhadra, Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna, among others. In halls of ancient Nālandā, they¯ engaged and taught subjects as diverse as philosophy, logic, epistemology, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and grammar, thus robustly contributing to the intellectual and spiritual landscape of the time. The course will render insight in to the life and legacies of some of these masters. It will explore their contributions to Indian philosophy, debate traditions, and logic. Explaining the integrated pedagogical framework that developed these profound Nālandā intellectual traditions, the course will discuss their extensive impact on pan-Asian philosophical traditions, contemplative practices, and cross-cultural dialogues. Establishing links with contemporary knowledge frameworks, the course will further discuss how their wisdom continues to inform and enhance modern fields including neuroscience, quantum physics, contemplative behavioural studies, and meditation research.

TEACHING MODULES

1. Ancient Nālandā and its Masters

Historical overview and Institution Structure, Library and its Nālandā Treatises, Curriculum of Parā and Aparā Vidyā-s, Integrated Pedagogy, Introduction to Life and Works of Nālandā Luminaries: Master Nāgārjuna, Āryabhata, Asaṅga, Dignāga, Dharmakirti, Śīlabhadra, Vajrabodhi, Śāntarakṣita, Atīśa and others.

2. Nālandā Philosophy and Ethical Implications

Philosophy of Śūnyatā (Emptiness), Anityatā (impermanace), Yogacāra, Karma-yoga, Parātmasamatā (equality of self and others), Upāya-kauśala (Skillful Means), Madhyamaka Mārga (the Middle Path), the Overcoming of Kleśa-s (afflictive emotions), Ethics (Śīla) and Precepts, Kuśala karma, Significance of Faith (śraddhā), Gratitude (kṛtajñatā), Contentment (saṃtoṣa), Equanimity (Upekṣa), Karuṇā (Compassion), Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and others.

3. Logic and Vāda (Debate) Tradition

Objective and Significance of Logic and Debate: Mind training, Insight into Truth, Cultivating Respect and Humility; Vāda-vidhi (debate methodology) with ethical training and meditative awareness; Sutraka and Kutaraka; Types of Debate: Vāda (debate), Jalpa (wrangling), Vitaṇḍā (destructive criticism); Structural Elements: Pakṣa (thesis); Sādhya (Predicate), Hetu (reason), Dṛṣṭānta (example), Vyāpti (pervasion), Upanaya (application), Nigamana (conclusion), Trairūpya-hetu (three characteristic reason) and logical fallacies (hetvābhāsa)

4. Nālandā Thoughts, Global Impact and Enduring Relevance

Influence of Ārya Nāgārjuna’s philosophy on Chinese Sānlùn school, Japenese Zen thought, Korea Soen Buddhism, Tibetan, Mongolian, Russian and Bhutanese schools. Vajrabodhi’s unique practice tradition in China, Śrī Laṅkā and Sumatra; Śāntarakṣita’s integrated scholastic-meditative tradition to Tibet, founding Samye monastery; Atiśa’s travel to Indonesia, Tibet and tradition of lamrim (graduated path); Nāropa’s Mahāmudrā teachings in Bhutan, Role in crosscultural philosophical dialogues, transmission of spiritual and ethical practices, guru-disciple transmission lineages; Dialogue with Modern disciplines: neuroscience, quantum physics, contemplative behavioral studies, and meditation research.