CHOOSE ONE TOPIC TO WRITE ON

1. Choose a philosophical view that you like or dislike most among our topics in Buddhism, and critically discuss it. I am giving you a freedom to choose your own topic as long as you satisfy the following requirement: describe the view concisely, discuss why it is good or not, consider possible objections to your evaluation, think of rebuttals of these objections to save your original view, and briefly conclude your discussions. For more information on this requirement, refer to my document “How to write philosophy essays” attached below.

2. Buddhists do not believe in the existence of self (or soul). Can Buddhists still be morally good people?

3. Why should the enlightened one take care of the other suffering creatures? Was the Buddha’s decision to teach and save the suffering creatures consistent with his doctrine of non-attachment? How could the enlightened one save the world without violating the teaching of non-attachment?

4. How does enlightenment make us more concerned about the welfare of others? Does enlightenment lead to moral improvement?

5. The following is the Buddha’s words on the teaching of dependent origination (interdependent arising): “This exists when that exists, this originates from the origination of that; this does not exist when that does not exist, this ceases from the cessation of that.” Why is this doctrine of dependent origination important for the Buddha’s teaching? Critically discuss it.

6. How is the Way of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana) different from the Way of the Elders (Theravada)? Mahayanists (of North and East Asia) have claimed that Theravadins (of South Asia) do not really teach or exercise the virtue of compassion. Is this criticism fair?

7. The Mahayana traditions claim that perfect wisdom transcends the conceptual knowledge. Critically discuss this fundamental claim of the Mahayanists.

8. What does it mean to say that everything is empty of self-nature (own-being, or intrinsic essence)? Critically discuss it.

9. Tibetan Buddhism may well be characterized as Tantric Buddhism. How is their Tantric tradition different from other Buddhist traditions such as Theravada, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, and Zen? What is the (philosophical) strength, if there is any, of Tibetan Buddhism when compared to and contrasted with other traditions?

10. What is the major philosophical view of the Tiantai (Tientai) School of Chinese Buddhism? How do you think their view will help one get enlightened and achieve nirvana more efficiently than other Indian traditions?

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