Winter 2010 Semester
HIN 5301 – Jainism - Jain Philosophy and Spirituality
This course, taught by a practicing Jain provides an introduction to
the tenets as per tradition, history and over view of the
contemporary practices of Jainism. The Jaina guidance provided
in the areas of non-violence, ethical values anchored to
life style and character (ratna traya), vegetarianism,
special forms of meditation for peace, patience and tolerance are valuable
contributions for today’s society. The concept of asceticism
and discipline associated with it need to be understood by spiritual
aspirants. The role of Jainism in addressing good family life style,
relations, gender respect and equality, ecologically green living and
enterprise are other important aspects covered in the course.
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HIN 5302 – Buddhism: Buddha Dharma – A Practical Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
The vitality of Tibetan Buddhism in exile has exceeded anything anyone could
have predicted. Student explore the culture, religion, philosophy, ethics and
psychology of Tibetan Buddhism, all the while learning how so many use it as
a personal path to overcome the “dukha” (suffering, discontent,
unease) that arises in our lives simply because we are human beings. Buddhism's
central focus is the mind, and its rich lineage of teachings and practices not
only uncover why we experience “unease,” but also identify the insights
and skills with which we can begin to overcome the habits of mind that bring
about our suffering, replacing them with methods of mind that lead to personal
(and ultimately global) well-being.
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HIN 5603 – Journey of the Soul
The Vedic Hindu culture is the oldest living culture on Planet Earth. In this
unique interdisciplinary course, we explore the journey of the soul in the light
of the great spiritual truths of this enlightened heritage and look for parallel
ideas from other sources: Christianity, Mormonism, Judaism, Jewish Kabbalah,
Buddhism, Native American Tradition, Australian Aborigine Tradition, Early Greek
and Roman Philosophers, Western mystics, and contemporary gifted individuals.
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HNP 5002 – Philosophy of the Upanishads
Upanishads as the epitome of Vedic spiritual science; concept of Atman - individual
being and Brahman - Universal Being; universe as Lila - divine play; law of
Karma and reincarnation; ideal of Moksha or liberation from Samsara.
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HNP 5003 – Philosophy of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita
Philosophical teachings of Gita; Gita as a popular religious manual; philosophical
teachings of some major commentators of Gita including Shankara, Ramanuja, Aurobindo,
Tilak, Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, Prabhupada, Gnaneshwar, Vivekananda, S. Radhakrishnan,
Roy Emerson and others; significance of karma and incarnation, duty, selfless
deeds, emphasis on Yoga, Sannyasa, Yajña, concept of Divine Incarnation;
eclectic nature of Gita and ideal of Bhakti or loving devotion.
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HNP 5301 – Vaishnava Philosophy
This course gives an overview of the history of the Vaishnava faith and its
development in India. It describes the various Vaishnava schools with a brief
description of their founders, philosophy, practices and followers.
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HNP 5701 – Contemporary Hindu Philosophers
Contemporary Hindu Philosophers constitute a cross-section of the views of
modern Hindu Philosophers concerning religion and metaphysics and their interpretative
role.
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HUC 5001 – Principles of Hinduism
An overview of Hinduism – perspectives of analysis and presentation in
its name, meaning, characteristics; Hinduism source works – overview of
basic Hindu scriptures; select reading from source scriptures like Veda’s,
Upanishads, Epics, Smriti’s, Bhagavad-Gita, Puranas, Dharma-Shastras.
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HUC 5002 – Practices of Hinduism
Concepts of principles in practices (Dharma and Karma-kanda); Hindu samskaras
& rituals as a way to understand the nature of Hinduism, Hindu calendar;
world view and interaction of persons following different paths of yoga; written
and unwritten rules of ritual, conduct and traditions, ethics and economics
of Hinduism; Hindu-prayers; Hindu Temple, priest and activities; major Hindu
festivals, observances, pilgrimages, sacred places, Hindu religious orders;
understanding experiences of Hindus with non-Hindus; Hindu practices in the
traditional wider world including Nepal and Bali – Diasporas.
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HUC 5003 – Basic Sanskrit
Philosophy of Sanskrit language, order of alphabets, devanagari character design,
Siva sutras, Shiksha-Shastra, voicing and scripting devanagari Sanskrit, linguistically
and culturally elegant reading, writing and apprehending of devanagari Sanskrit
script in transliteration and digital media.
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HUC 5004 – Research Methodology
The intended course is designed to introduce graduate masters-doctoral level
students to critical perspectives in the concepts, purposes, models, and methods
fundamental to conducting systematic inquiry in the research process.
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JYO 5101 – General Astrology & Astronomy
Theory and history of Vedic Astrology, value and use of Vedic Astrology, Astrology
and modern sciences, Astrology and karma, relevance of Vedic Astrology, Astrology
and Psychology.
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JYO 5401 – Medical Astrology
This course covers the fundamental concepts of Astrology including the relationship
with Macro Cosmos and Micro cosmos - Edifice of Astrology and Karma theory -
Meanings of Astrological terminologies. Signification of Zodiacal signs, houses,
planets and stars with relevance to Medical Astrology, parts of human body ruled
by signs, planets and stars- study of a healthy body (Deha Soukhya Yoga) or
diseased body (Deha Kashta Yoga).
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JYO 5402 – Medical Astrology
Among the many domains of life that Vedic astrology illuminates, one of the
most important is the field of Medical Astrology. Knowing when potential health
problems might arise can give the client crucial information that can help him
avert the problems in advance. In this class, Jim presents a clear method for
seeing and predicting potential health problems through the horoscope. Relying
on the fundamentals of chart analysis, he shows how to systematically determine
the part of the body that will be affected, the time of onset of diseases, as
well as recovery. In the process, he shows how to use nakshatras, divisional
charts, dasha, transit and a wide range of other factors that will enhance your
overall understanding of chart analysis.
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YPM 5001 – Patanjali’s Yoga Darshana
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali brought together various principles
and practices of Yoga prevalent at his time. Yoga is a spiritual science. It
is a means for realizing the Self. Yoga tradition is as old as civilization.
Patanjali’s Yoga system is closely connected to the Samkhya Philosophy.
Yoga is defined as the restraint of modifications of the mind. In order to purify
the mind a Yogi has to practice Yama and Niyama and withdraw the senses from
the objects of the senses. Then by practice of concentration of the mind and
meditation, Samadhi is attained and the Self is realized. This is the state
of liberation from the bondage of karma and suffering.
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YPM 5002 – Kapila’s Samkhya Darshana
Samkhya as psychological evolution of cosmos; concepts of Purusha and Prakriti;
twenty four evolutes; relationship and comparisons between Buddhist and Upanishadic
and Vedantic teachings.
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YPM 5003 – Yoga Philosophy and Meditation
This course covers the history of Yoga Philosophy; the streams that shaped
Yoga; the “Yoga Sutras” of Patanjali; Yoga Psychology; Yoga asanas
and breathing exercises; traditions of Yoga and their relationship with meditation;
meditation in the system of Yoga and the Vedantic practices of meditation.
Register for this course
Please do visit the web sites of the following educational
institutions that are affiliated with HUA. They offer courses and programs
which may be of interest to you. Some programs offered by these institutions
are independent and unique to these institutions.
Kerala Ayurveda Academy (KAA): www.ayurvedaacademy.com
California College of Ayurveda (CCA): www.ayurvedacollege.com
Paramanand University (PU): www.puindia.org
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana ( SVYASA): www.svyasa.org
Sri Aurobindo Cenrtre for Advance Research (SACAR): www.theuniversityoftomorrow.org
Amrit Yoga Institute: www.amrityoga.org
