Interdependence

I'm excited about learning more about how to develop a social action project in my courses. It's not something I've done before, and I would really value being able to learn more about how to do it.

This course is an exploration of the Buddhist concept of interdependence, or interdependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda in Sanskrit), from doctrinal, contemplative, and activist perspectives. We will study how the concept of interdependence has been transformed in Buddhist modernist contexts, and how contemporary environmental, scientific, and activist movements globally have relied on the concept. Our readings will include original Buddhist source texts in translation, writings by contemporary Buddhists, and work by philosophers and scientists who have been influenced by Buddhism. Our class discussions will consider how a diversity of voices have worked with Buddhist philosophical and ethical issues and how these may intersect with our own lives.

Frances Garrett

Associate Professor

Dept for the Study of Religion

University of Toronto