Zen Buddhism (A EAS 357/A REL 357)

Transcription

1 Zen Buddhism (A EAS 357/A REL 357) Meeting Times: MWF, 11:30AM-12:25PM (HUM 128) Instructor: Aaron P. Proffitt, PhD Office Hours Time and Location: MW, 1-3 (and by appointment), HUM 241 COURSE DESCRIPTION Widely known by its Japanese name, Zen Buddhism (Chan in Chinese, Seon in Korean, Thien in Vietnamese) is one of the most influential Buddhist traditions in East Asia. As Zen has continued to grow in popularity and influence in the Western world, it is also one of the most misunderstood products of East Asian culture. In this course, students will survey the history of Zen Buddhism, from its early development in China to its introduction to the US. Students will be encouraged to think critically about the historical construction of Zen Buddhist discourses and identities, in and between East Asia and the West. While this course will focus on those features that make Zen a distinct form of Buddhism, this course will also seek to place Zen in its broader East Asian Mahayana Buddhist context. Readings for this class will largely come from Buddhist primary texts in English translation drawn from the traditions of China, Korea, and Japan, and will also include English language works by contemporary Zen masters. There are no prerequisites. All are welcome.

2 REQUIRED TEXTS Donald S. Lopez, Jr. The Story of Buddhism John R. McRae, Seeing Through Zen Robert Buswell, The Zen Monastic Experience Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism (Robert E. Buswell, Jr. and Donald S. Lopez, Jr., eds.) GRADING SCHEME A 94 A- 90 B+ 88 B 84 B- 80 C+ 78 C 74 C- 70 D+ 68 D 64 D- 60 E 50 COURSE REQUIREMENTS Attendance & Participation 25% Presentations 25% Mid-Term Paper 25% Final Paper 25% PRESENTATIONS Each class period, between one and three students will present their own reactions to key passages from the text. Presentation dates will be assigned within the first two weeks of class, and should be understood not as a test on the reading, but as an opportunity for students to lead discussion and engage one another. Presenters will be asked to provide a handout summary of their assigned reading that includes discussion questions. Research and resources employed for these presentations must be limited to the assigned readings and other course materials. MID-TERM AND FINAL PAPER There are two writing assignments for this class. The Mid-Term paper will be 5-8 pages in length, and the Final Paper will be10-15 pages in length. Each student will select their paper topics in consultation with the instructor, and write a one-page research proposal. All research for these papers must be limited to the assigned readings and other course materials. ABSENCE POLICY Attendance is mandatory, and counts toward 25% of the final grade. See the University at Albany Medical Excuse Policy: NOTE CARDS Each student should purchase a pack of 3x5 note cards and bring them to class. At the end of class, each student will write their names, and the date, on the card and answer the following two questions: (1) What was the most interesting thing you learned today? (2) Do you have any questions about the reading or lecture? The instructor will select up to five cards to be answered at the beginning of the next lecture. The note cards will also be used to take attendance.

3 COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY RULES In principle, computers, cellphones, smartphones, and other electronic devices are prohibited. In this course we will be practicing the art of active listening, engaged dialogue, and effective note taking. Students are encouraged to purchase notebooks for the purpose of taking notes on the reading, bringing those notes to class, and writing down key points from the day s discussion. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Every student has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the University. Faculty members must specify in their syllabi information about academic integrity, and may refer students to this policy for more information. Nonetheless, student claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or personal or academic pressures cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the standards and behaving accordingly, and UAlbany faculty are responsible for teaching, modeling and upholding them. Anything less undermines the worth and value of our intellectual work, and the reputation and credibility of the University at Albany degree. (University s Standards of Academic Integrity Policy, Fall 2013) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES I request that any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations speak with me during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will remain confidential. For more information, please visit Disability Resource Center:

4 Week 1: Jan Introduction to Buddhism First Day of Class: Course Introduction Introducing the Buddhist Universe Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, 1-18 (optional); Week 2: Jan Early Buddhist Thought and Practice The Buddha Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, The Dharma Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, Monks and Laity Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, Week 3: Feb The Spread of Buddhism and Early Chinese Religions Enlightenment Lopez, The Story of Buddhism, Confucianism and Early Chinese Religion Lunyu (On Blackboard) Daoism (I) Laozi (On Blackboard) Week 4: Feb Chinese Religions and Early Chinese Buddhisms Daoism (II) Zhuangzi (On Blackboard) Early Daoist Movements: Celestial Masters Commands and Admonitions for Families of the Great Dao (On Blackboard) Pure Lands and Buddhist Meditation Traditions The Larger Pure Land Sutra, ( Week 5: Feb Schools of Chinese Buddhism Tiantai, Huayan, and the Systematization of Mahayana Literature Mohezhiguan (On Blackboard) Indian Buddhist Ritual at the Chinese Court Renwangjing (On Blackboard) Early Chan Buddhism Platform Sūtra of the Sixth Patriarch Translator s Introduction (skim);

5 Week 6: Feb Early Chan Buddhism and The Tang Dynasty ( ) Golden Age Platform Sūtra of the Sixth Patriarch Account of Origins, Essentials of the Transmission of Mind Translator s Introduction (skim); The Record of Linji (On Blackboard) Week 7: Feb. 29-Mar. 04 Song Dynasty Chan Literature The Gateless Gate (On Blackboard) Blue Cliff Record (Selections I, On Blackboard) Blue Cliff Record (Selections II, On Blackboard) Week 8: Mar Seeing Through Chan McRae, Seeing Through Zen, McRae, Seeing Through Zen, ***MID TERM PAPER TOPICS DUE*** McRae, Seeing Through Zen, Week 9: Mar SPRING BREAK Week 10: Mar Early Korean Seon Buddhism Wonhyo (On Blackboard) ***MID TERM PAPERS DUE*** Jinul (On Blackboard) Hyejeong (On Blackboard) Week 11: Mar. 28-Apr. 01 Early Japanese Zen Buddhism NO CLASS Eisai, A Treatise on Letting Zen Flourish, (skim); ( Dogen, A Universal Recommendation for True Zazen, Keizan, Advice on the Practice of Zazen, (

6 Week 12: Apr Zen in the Early-Modern and Modern Periods Hakuin (On Blackboard) D. T. Suzuki, Zen and Japanese Culture (On Blackboard) Sharf, Zen of Japanese Nationalism (On Blackboard) Week 13: Apr Modern Korean Seon Buswell, The Zen Monastic Experience, 3-20 (skim); Buswell, The Zen Monastic Experience, Buswell, The Zen Monastic Experience, Week 14: Apr Modern Chinese Chan Sheng Yen, Orthodox Chinese Buddhism (On Blackboard) Hsing Yun, Humanistic Buddhism (On Blackboard) NO CLASS Week 15: Apr Chan/Seon/Zen Today Kim Iryop (On Blackboard) Yifa (On Blackboard) Contemporary Zen Buddhist Tracts for the Laity (On Blackboard) Week 16: May Zen in Contemporary North America Zen Mind, Beginners Mind (On Blackboard) 05/04: LAST DAY OF CLASS 05/06-05/13 Exam Week Course Wrap-up FINAL PAPER DUE: 05/13