JPNB66 Buddhism: Teaching, Practice, and Materials

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Zuzana Kubovčáková, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Zuzana Kubovčáková, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Solid command of English, both reading of academic texts and speaking skills.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 160 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/160, only registered: 0/160, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/160
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract (in Czech)
A general orientation in the history, key texts, main concepts, and the overall development within the Buddhist tradition. The focus will be placed on the origins of Buddhism as such, what comprised and defines Buddhism, during later lectures moving toward Mahayana Buddhism and its historical spread in Japan and to the Western world in the 20th century.
Learning outcomes (in Czech)
By the end of the course, students will be
- well versed in the historical and conceptual foundations of Buddhism;
- familiar with key concepts that define Buddhism;
- knowledgeable regarding the various Buddhist traditions and branches;
- familiar with general development and some of the main figures of Buddhism in the western world.
Key topics (in Czech)
  • 1) Introduction
  • 2) Key Concepts I
  • 3) Key Concepts II
  • 4) The Buddha
  • 5) A Bodhisattva
  • 6) Buddhist Worlds
  • 7) Buddhist Texts
  • 8) Buddhist Art
  • 9) Buddhism in the West: the US
  • 10) Buddhism in the West: Europe
Study resources and literature
  • Approaches to Chan, Sŏn, and Zen studies : Chinese Chan Buddhism and its spread throughout East Asia. Edited by Albert Welter - Steven Heine - Jin Y. Park. New York: Suny press, 2022, xiv, 462. ISBN 9781438490892. info
  • KEOWN, Damien. A dictionary of Buddhism. Edited by Stephen Hodge - Charles Brewer Jones - Paola Tinti. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003, viii, 357. ISBN 0198605609. info
  • LOPEZ, Donald S. Buddhism. London: Penguin Books, 2002, xi, 287. ISBN 0140275835. info
  • American Buddhism :methods and findings in recent scholarship. Edited by Duncan Ryuken Williams - Christopher S. Queen. Richmond: Curzon Press, 1999, xxxvii, 32. ISBN 0-7007-1204-6. info
  • FAURE, Bernard. Buddhism. New York: Konecky & Konecky, 1998, 143 stran. ISBN 156852188X. info
  • FRÉDÉRIC, Louis. Buddhism. Paris: Flammarion, 1995, 358 s. ISBN 2080135589. info
  • HARVEY, Peter. An introduction to Buddhism : techings, history and practices. Repr. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994, xxii, 374. ISBN 0521313333. info
  • CONZE, Edward. A short history of Buddhism. New ed. Oxford: Oneworld, 1993, 154 s. ISBN 1851680667. info
  • SUZUKI, Daisetsu. Introduction to Zen Buddhism : including "a manual of Zen Buddhism". New York: Causeway Books, 1974, 192 s. ISBN 0883560224. info
  • CONZE, Edward. Buddhism : its essence and development. Edited by Arthur Waley. 1st Harper torchbook ed. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1959, 212 s. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching (in Czech)
Lecures supplemented by presentations and video materials, combined with discussions on set readings.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements (in Czech)
Active class attendance (30%), final written test (70%).
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught every week.
General note: Předmět je určen i pro studenty mimo mateřské obory.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2022, Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2026/JPNB66