Great Minds of the Eastern Intellectual Tradition

Overview

Introduce yourself to the great minds responsible for shaping Asian philosophy and various spiritual and ideological systems. Western philosophy represents only half the story; the Eastern intellectual tradition offers equally vital insights. This course explores how thinkers from Asia have addressed fundamental issues like the existence of God, the meaning of life, and the nature of reality.

Through 36 extensive lectures led by Professor Hardy, you’ll meet influential figures, including The Buddha, Confucius, and Gandhi, and understand their contributions to philosophy and society. By examining the connections and differences between Eastern and Western thought, you’ll gain a broader perspective on cultures that increasingly influence our global society.

Video Lessons

01: Life’s Great Questions—Asian Perspectives

Begin the journey with an introduction to Eastern philosophy’s major themes.

Length: 31 min

02: The Vedas and Upanishads—The Beginning

Explore the origins of Eastern thought through foundational texts in Indian philosophy.

Length: 30 min

03:“`markdown

Mahavira and Jainism—Extreme Nonviolence

Delve into the teachings of Mahavira and the principles of Jainism, focusing on extreme nonviolence and moral philosophy.

Length: 30 min

04: The Buddha—The Middle Way

Examine the life and teachings of the Buddha, highlighting core principles of Buddhism such as the Four Noble Truths.

Length: 31 min

05: The Bhagavad Gita—The Way of Action

Investigate this crucial text in Hindu philosophy and its insights into action, duty, and the nature of reality.

Length: 31 min

06: Confucius—In Praise of Sage-Kings

Discover the teachings of Confucius and how his ideas shaped Chinese thought and the role of morality in leadership.

Length: 32 min

07: Laozi and Daoism—The Way of Nature

Explore Daoism’s philosophy through the teachings of Laozi, emphasizing harmony with nature and simplicity.

Length: 31 min

08: The Hundred Schools of Pre-imperial China

Learn about the diverse philosophical schools that emerged during China’s Warring States Era.

Length: 30 min

09: Mencius and Xunzi—Confucius’s Successors

Compare the views of Confucius’s followers, Mencius and Xunzi, on morality and human nature.

Length: 32 min

10: Sunzi and Han Feizi—Strategy and Legalism

Examine Sunzi’s strategic insights in “The Art of War” and Han Feizi’s legalist philosophy for governance.

Length: 32 min

11: Zarathustra and Mani—Dualistic Religion

Explore the dualistic beliefs of Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism as foundational ideas in Persian spirituality.

Length: 33 min

12: Kautilya and Ashoka—Buddhism and Empire

Investigate the political philosophies of Kautilya and Ashoka during the Mauryan Empire in India.

Length: 30 min

13: Ishvarakrishna and Patanjali—Yoga

Understand the philosophical underpinnings of yoga as taught by Ishvarakrishna and Patanjali.

Length: 31 min

14: Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu—Buddhist Theories

Dive into the philosophical thoughts of Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu within Mahayana Buddhism.

Length: 31 min

15: Sima Qian and Ban Zhao—History and Women

Explore the works of Sima Qian and Ban Zhao, focusing on their contributions to Chinese history and gender.

Length: 31 min

16: Dong Zhongshu and Ge Hong—Eclecticism

Examine the eclectic approaches of Dong Zhongshu and Ge Hong in the evolution of political thought.

Length: 32 min

17: Xuanzang and Chinese Buddhism

Follow Xuanzang’s journey and his significant role in spreading Buddhism throughout China.

Length: 32 min

18: Prince Shotoku, Lady Murasaki, Sei Shonagon

Shift to Japan, exploring the contributions of Prince Shotoku and two influential literary figures.

Length: 29 min

19: Saicho to Nichiren—Japanese Buddhism

Study the development of Buddhism in Japan through the teachings of Saicho and Nichiren.

Length: 31 min

20: Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva—Hindu Vedanta

Investigate the foundational school of Vedanta and the differing views of its key thinkers.

Length: 32 min

21: Al-Biruni—Islam in India

Learn about the synthesis of Hindu and Islamic philosophies through the works of Al-Biruni.

Length: 31 min

22: Nanak and Sirhindi—Sikhism and Sufism

Explore the interaction between Sikhism and Sufism through the philosophies of Nanak and Sirhindi.

Length: 30 min

23: Han Yu to Zhu Xi—Neo-Confucianism

Trace the evolution of Neo-Confucianism and its implications for Chinese intellectual life.

Length: 30 min

24: Wang Yangming—The Study of Heart-Mind

Examine Wang Yangming’s teachings on morality and knowledge within the Neo-Confucian framework.

Length: 32 min

25: Dogen and Hakuin—Zen Buddhism

Delve into the principles of Zen Buddhism through the teachings of Dogen and Hakuin.

Length: 32 min

26: Zeami and Sen no Rikyu—Japanese Aesthetics

Discover how Noh drama and the tea ceremony reflect deep philosophical insights in Japanese aesthetics.

Length: 30 min

27: Wonhyo to King Sejong—Korean Philosophy

Explore the contributions of major Korean philosophers and their impact on cultural identity.

Length: 31 min

28: Padmasambhava to Tsongkhapa—Tibetan Ideas

Investigate the rich philosophical traditions of Tibet, including key figures in Vajrayana Buddhism.

Length: 31 min

29: Science and Technology in Premodern Asia

Examine the interplay of scientific thought and technological advances in premodern Asia.

Length: 31 min

30: Muhammad Iqbal and Rabindranath Tagore

Explore the responses of Iqbal and Tagore to Western influence and their philosophical contributions.

Length: 30 min

31: Mohandas Gandhi—Satyagraha, or Soul-Force

Delve into Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent resistance and their philosophical roots and implications.

Length: 31 min

32: Fukuzawa Yukichi and Han Yongun

Investigate the philosophies of Fukuzawa and Han, focused on modernity and tradition in their respective countries.

Length: 32 min

33: Kang Youwei and Hu Shi

Explore the contrasting views of Kang and Hu on the need for reform in Chinese culture and philosophy.

Length: 30 min

34: Sun Yat-sen and Mao Zedong

Examine the philosophies of two critical figures in Chinese history and their impacts on society.

Length: 31 min

35: Modern Legacies

Reflect on the lasting influences of Eastern philosophy on contemporary global thought.

Length: 31 min

36: East and West

Conclude the course with a discussion on the relevance of Eastern thought in the modern world.

Length: 34 min