Studies in Indian Religions: Buddhist Karma and Causality

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.