Universität Wien

010112 VU Cave Sanctuaries on the Silk Road (2024W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Theologien und Religionswiss.
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 14.10. 13:15 - 16:30 Seminarraum 5 (Kath) Schenkenstraße 1.OG
  • Tuesday 15.10. 09:45 - 13:00 Seminarraum 5 (Kath) Schenkenstraße 1.OG
  • Wednesday 16.10. 13:15 - 16:30 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
  • Thursday 17.10. 13:15 - 16:30 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
  • Friday 18.10. 09:35 - 16:30 Seminarraum 5 (Kath) Schenkenstraße 1.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course “Cave Sanctuaries on the Silk Road” consists of five lectures covering aspects of religious transmission along the Silk Road and cultural heritage created as a result. The main topics are the following.

1. Formation of the Silk Road – history and geography. The travel of envoys, religious missionaries and merchants.
2. Buddhist pilgrimage and "Journey to the West". Eminent monks traveling from East Asia to India and their role in the transmission of philosophical and art concepts.
3. Cave sanctuaries as a religious and ritual space.
4. Architecture and iconography of the cave sanctuaries along the Silk Road. Archetypes and influences.
5. Major cave complexes – foregoing studies and perspectives. Sanctuaries on the Silk Road as a starting point of a partnership between researchers from different academic fields.

Assessment and permitted materials

Materials will be given to students during lectures. For additional reading materials, refer to reading list.

In the case of suspicion of non-transparent use of AI (e.g. through citation or indication of the type of use), the course instructor has the right to conduct a “grade-relevant discussion.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Lectures are designed for students interested in Asian culture, Buddhism and arts and no prior knowledge or qualifications are required.
Attendance is compulsory. You may be absent without excuse for a maximum of two units

Examination topics

1. The Silk Road – history and geography.
2. Buddhist pilgrimage and eminent monks traveling from East Asia to India.
3. Cave sanctuaries as a religious and ritual space.
4. Architecture and iconography of the cave sanctuaries along the Silk Road.
5. Major cave complexes on the Silk Road.

Reading list

1. Buddhist Cave Sanctuaries. Michael Beck. Vajra Books.
2. The Silk Road – A New History. Valerie Hansen. Oxford University Press.
3. Dunhuang Art Through the Eyes of Duan Wenjie. Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, Abhinav Publications.
4. Pilgrimage and Buddhist Art. Edited by Adriana Proser. Yale University press.
5. A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms. Translated by James Legge. www.gutenberg.org

Association in the course directory

M2.5, M15, M18, BRP 10rwb (VU zu Ostasiatischen Religionen 2SSt/3 ECTS (pi)), BRP 17rwb (Vorlesung mit Übung zu einem Thema der speziellen Religionsgeschichte)

Last modified: Fr 28.02.2025 05:05