EdX

Buddhism Through Its Scriptures (edX)

Offered by HarvardX, Harvard University,
Buddhism Through Its Scriptures (edX)

Learn about the rich and diverse beliefs and practices of Buddhists across time and place. Experience Buddhism through its scriptures, both relationally as well as academically. Whether you are new to the study of Buddhism or have been studying it or practicing it for years, this course will provide you with the opportunity to become acquainted with a variety of Buddhist teachings while guiding you to think about them, and yourself, in new ways.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Through a combination of carefully selected readings, both scriptural and informational, as well as exposure to various forms of Buddhist practice such as art, devotional acts, and literary works, you will learn how to interpret, reflect upon, and apply the teachings of the Buddha to your own life and deepen your understanding of Buddhism.

This course is part of the World Religions Through Their Scriptures XSeries.

What you'll learn:

  • Religious/philosophical insights conveyed in Buddhist texts
  • How scriptures are interpreted to diverse ends in different historical contexts
  • Sensitive appreciation of world religions
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Cosmopolitan Tang: Aristocratic Culture in China (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Cosmopolitan Tang: Aristocratic Culture in China (edX)

Humanities History

Explore the reunification of China under the Tang with a focus on aristocratic culture — from poetry to calligraphy to literature. By the Tang period, China was divided into northern and southern dynasties with different rulers and political systems. The north was conquered by relatively unsophisticated barbarians, but in the south, the aristocratic families established a refined appreciation of writing and literature.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
History Philosophy Culture
Details
The Civil War and Reconstruction - 1850-1861: A House Divided (edX) EdX
Columbia University,ColumbiaX

The Civil War and Reconstruction - 1850-1861: A House Divided (edX)

Humanities History

Discover how the issue of slavery came to dominate American politics, and how political leaders struggled and failed to resolve the growing crisis in the nation. A House Divided: The Road to Civil War, 1850-1861 begins by examining how generations of historians have explained the crisis of the Union. After discussing the institution of slavery and its central role in the southern and national economies, it turns to an account of the political and social history of the 1850s.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
History War Civil War
Details
Philosophy, Science and Religion: Religion and Science (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Philosophy, Science and Religion: Religion and Science (Coursera)

Humanities

Philosophy, Science and Religion mark three of the most fundamental modes of thinking about the world and our place in it. Are these modes incompatible? Put another way: is the intellectually responsible thing to do to ‘pick sides’ and identify with one of these approaches at the exclusion of others? Or, are they complementary or mutually supportive? As is typical of questions of such magnitude, the devil is in the details. For example, it is important to work out what is really distinctive about each of these ways of inquiring about the world. In order to gain some clarity here, we’ll be investigating what some of the current leading thinkers in philosophy, science and religion are actually doing.

Nov 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Science Evolution Universe
Details
Buddhism: Diamond Sutra and Zen Meditation (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education

Buddhism: Diamond Sutra and Zen Meditation (FutureLearn)

Health & Society

Discover the secrets of the Diamond Sutra and learn how its Buddhist teachings promote living in serenity and ease. Explore the meaning of ‘prajñā-pāramitā’ in relation to attaining buddhahood. How can we resolve afflictions? The Diamond Sutra is one of the most historically important texts in Buddhism. On this course, you will explore the meaning of ‘prajñā-pāramitā’ from the Diamond Sutra. You will learn why and how the zen school uses the teachings of the Diamond Sutra to attain buddhahood.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Buddhist Meditation Buddhism Meditation
Details
South Asian Religions & Ecology (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

South Asian Religions & Ecology (Coursera)

Humanities Art and Culture

At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Ecology Conservation Religion
Details
Sikhism Through Its Scriptures (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Sikhism Through Its Scriptures (edX)

Humanities

This course examines the Sikh scripture from a doctrinal and historical perspective by providing an overview of Sikh teachings as well as the historical context within which the scripture evolved and became canonized. Sikhi, commonly known as Sikhism, is a monotheistic religious tradition that was founded byGuru Nanak in late fifteenth-century Panjab in South Asia. Today, Sikhi’s approximately twenty-five to thirty million adherents can be found all over the globe, making it one of the six major religions of the world.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Scriptures World Religions Through Their Scriptures XSeries Sikhism
Details
Academic and Business Writing (edX) EdX
University of California, Berkeley,BerkeleyX

Academic and Business Writing (edX)

Humanities Marketing & Communication

An introduction to academic and business writing for English Language Learners, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, structure, editing, and publication. College Writing 2.2x providesan introduction to academic and business writing for English Language Learners. In this course, students focus on understanding the demands of different styles of writing, andwork to improve grammatical correctness, vocabulary development, and revision and editing skills.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
English Languages Writing
Details
Religion, Conflict and Peace (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Religion, Conflict and Peace (edX)

Humanities

Explore the diverse and complex roles that religions play in both promoting and mitigating violence. In this course, we will explore a series of contemporary conflicts in different regions of the world with a special focus on identifying and analyzing the diverse and complex roles that religions play in both promoting and mitigating violence in each context.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Conflict Islam Peace
Details