This course will explore the religious foundations of several indigenous cultures.

Buddhism: During this lesson, we will explore the religion of Buddhism. This religion is well-known but often misunderstood by western students. We will start with the core beliefs of the religion as well as a few important practices. We will also explore the different Buddhist sects, the religion's sacred texts, and the sangha (the community of Buddhist monks and nuns).

Hinduism: In this lesson, we will explore the rich and complex religious traditions that comprise Hinduism. We will investigate the central beliefs that unite the many strains of practice found in India under the traditional term "Hinduism." We will then learn about several rituals and practices, about the sacred texts of Hinduism, and about the traditional Hindu system of social organization.

Confucianism:  In this lesson, we will learn about the beliefs and practices of Confucianism. We will explore its sacred texts, its vision for the social and political life of China, and its history. We will then explore its relationship to Daoism and Chinese Buddhism. Age: 18+