RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF INDIA AND CENTRAL ASIA

Course objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the methodological, critical and applicable aspects of the Discipline; it proposes geographical areas and sectorial perspectives in which related projects are activated; it shows the variability of fields of interest; it enables the student to master the specific topics in order to use them and apply them in other fields of study while using the correct specific language. With the acquired knowledge the student will be able to develop autonomous ability of connections with other disciplines in the various historical epochs and cultural contexts.

Channel 1
DAVIDE TORRI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
During the semester, several topics will be addressed, in order to give a broad overview of the rich religious and philosophical background of South Asia. In particular, lectures will take into account the following: Historical and geographical introduction South Asian religions Main topics and key-words Indus Valley Vedic Religion A sourvey of textual sources (Veda, Upaniṣads, Puranas, epic poems, etc.) Indian philosophical systems Jainism e and Buddhism Temples, shrines and sacred places Pilgrimages and rituals Viṣṇuism, Śivaism, Śaktism The Karma theory
Prerequisites
No previous knowledge required
Books
Gavin Flood. L'induismo. Temi, tradizioni, prospettive. Einaudi 2006. Vincent Eltschinger, Isabelle Ratié. Cos’è la filosofia indiana. Einaudi 2023. Walpola Rahula. L'insegnamento del Buddha. Adelphi 2019.
Exam mode
Oral exam
Bibliography
Raffaele Torella. Il pensiero dell'India. Un'introduzione. Carocci editore 2008 Alain Daniélou. Miti e dèi dell’India. I mille volti del pantheon induista. BUR 2002 Giovanni Filoramo (a cura di). Buddhismo. Laterza 2007. André Padoux. Tantra. Einaudi 2011. Michelguglielmo Torri. Storia dell'India. Laterza, 2000 Anna L. Dallapiccola. Induismo. Dizionario di storia, cultura, religione. Bruno Mondadori 2007. Giuliano Boccali e Cinzia Pieruccini. Induismo. (edizione Illustrata). Mondadori Electa 2008.
Lesson mode
Lectures Questions and comments Seminars
  • Lesson code10596522
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseHistory, Anthropology, Religions
  • CurriculumStorico-religioso
  • Year3rd year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDL-OR/17
  • CFU6