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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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Thom Brooks
Better Luck Next Time:
A Comparative Analysis of Socrates and Mahāyāna Buddhism on Reincarnation
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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Eve Mullen
Teaching the Ineffable:
Nirgima Brahman in the Philosophy of Religion Classroom
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In the undergraduate Philosophy of Religion classroom, a primary topic of discussion is the attributes of God. Personal experience as a teacher has shown that Śamkara's concept of Brahman without attributes {nirguna), a contrast to traditional Western ideas of the Divine, facilitates the learning process and broadens general conceptualizations of the Divine or Ultimate Reality. The teaching pedagogy associated with the use of this concept is explored here. Some basic questions are key. How can the concept of Brahman without attributes be presented to a novice western audience? How can the discussion of the concept be integrated practically in a Philosophy of Religion course? The nirguna concept is invaluable for the constructive broadening of perspective and thorough treatment of the general topics at hand in Philosophy of Religion. It is by incorporating a cross-cultural understanding of Śamkara's absolute that the semester-long exploration of "alternate" views on divinity or ultimate reality can culminate in a greater grasp of not only Śamkara-based views on Brahman the Absolute, but also of Western views on a monotheistic God.When requested to prepare this paper for publication, I realized that my own request to the audience at the SIPR Calcutta conference would have to be translated from the intimate and immediate context of a room filled with friendly faces to the distanced context of readers. The request I made was simple, however, and I trust the reading audience will be as helpful as my colleagues in the conference room were. This paper is meant to stimulate discussion. Presented here is a collection of suggestions for the Philosophy of Religion classroom, and as improving one's teaching skills is an ongoing, never-ending process, I do hope all readers will add any opinions or criticisms to the discourse and regard this piece not as a final statement but as a starting point for useful lesson planning. My aim is simply to offer some pedagogical starting points, centering on the use of Śamkara on an introductory level, in the specific course context of Philosophy of Religion.In the undergraduate. Western Philosophy of Religion classroom, a primary topic of discussion is the attributes of God. Personal experience as a teacher has shown that Śamkara's concept of nirguna Brahman ("without attributes") facilitates the learning process and general conceptualizations of the Divine and Ultimate Reality. The teaching pedagogy associated with the use of this concept is the focus here. Some basic questions are key. How can the concept of Brahman without attributes be presented to a novice Western audience? How can the discussion of the concept be integrated practically in a Philosophy of Religion course? What specific teaching methods can be employed successfully in this context? The nirguna concept is invaluable for the cultivation of analytical skills, for the constructive broadening of perspective, and for a thorough treatment of the general topics at hand in Philosophy of Religion. Foremost among these topics is "Describing the Divine." I draw upon current works on teaching pedagogy, primary and secondary works dealing with Śamkara's Advaita Vedānta and personal teaching experience in the Philosophy of Religion classroom.
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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Kisor K. Chakrabarti
AAtmatattvaviveka (Analysis of the Nature of the Self) An Annotated Translation:
The Argument from Error
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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David Blanks
Imagining Inidia in the Sixteenth Century:
An Italian in Vijayanagara
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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Monima Chadha
Contents of Experience:
Nyaya, Descartes and Peacocke
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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Horace L. Fairlamb
Salvation East and West:
The Politics of Idolatry
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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Arthur Ledoux
Augustine as a Bridge for Buddhist-Christian Dialogue
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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J. Randall Groves
Comparative Philosophy of Mind:
Dualism and Materialism in Inidia and the West
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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12
Pamela D. Winfield
The Diaspora of Heavenly Hubris:
Scattering Spiritual Pride at Indra's Palace and The Tower of Babel
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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12
Isaac Nevo
Conceptual Relations:
Vertical and Horizontal
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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12
Arthur Ledoux
Killing with Love in Your Heart:
How Krishna and Augustine Justify War
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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12
Michael P. Berman
Nagarjuna's Negative Ontology
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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12
Richard Liebendorfer
Wittgenstein's Expressivism
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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12
Kisor K. Chakrabarti
AAtmatattvaviveka (Analysis of the Nature of the Self) An Annotated Translation:
Non-entities and Negative Entities
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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12
Madhumita Chattopadhyay
A Brief Survey of the Buddhist Concept of Manas
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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K. R. Sundararajan
Self, Consciousness and Self-Consciousness in Rāmānuja's Vedānta
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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13
Gerald James Larson
The Unique Notion of 'Consciousness' in Classical Yoga Philosophy and its Relevence for Scientific Cosmology and Cognitive Science
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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13
Kisor K. Chakrabarti
AAtmatattvaviveka (Analysis of the Nature of the Self) An Annotated Translation:
Negation and Imagination
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
Volume >
13
Carl Olson
Radical Monotheism of the Qur'an and the Equitheism of the Bhagavata Purana:
A Cross-CuItural Comparison of Allah and Krishna
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Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion:
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13
Sukharanjan Saha
Meaning of the First Person Pronoun:
Gangesa's view and its Perspectives
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