Zen Buddhism in (and beyond) Japanese
Society and Culture
ANS 372, ANT 322M Spring 1998
John Nelson Department of Asian Studies, Office: WCH 4.110, Ph.
475-6038
Office Hours: Monday, 3:15-4:00; Wed. 12:30-1:30; Friday by
appointment
Jerry Chan, TA: T, TH 2-3:30; WCH 5.104
Course Description
This course begins by examining the origins, development, and
practice of Zen Buddhism, tracing its trajectory from India (dhyana)
to China (ch'an) to Japan (zen). Culturally adaptable, we find the
metaphysics of this tradition shaped by a succession of social and
political contexts. We then turn to those readily-accessible aspects
of Japanese culture--such as painting, poetry, archery, and the tea
ceremony--that have been influenced and affected by Zen. But we also
look at how Zen has been applied to state policy, the training of
warriors, and to the implementation of social values. Finally, we
will look at contemporary Zen practice in both Japan and North
America. We also consider such general topics as religious
experience, religious truth claims and the metaphysics of language,
the translation and mobility of religions across cultures, the social
dimensions of religions, and the relationship between religious
traditions and social ethics.
Texts for Purchase:
Kraft Zen: Tradition and
Transition
Kasulis: Zen Action, Zen
Person
Chadwick: Thank You and OK! An
American Zen Failure in Japan
Suzuki, S.: Zen Mind, Beginner's
Mind
Ives: Zen Awakening and
Society
There will also be a reader for the course, from Paragon Copies
(behind the Gap)
Requirements
1. Midterm (15%) and final examinations (20%)
2. Critical analyses; 3 pgs. each (5 for 60%)
3. Regular attendance & brilliant comments; one (at least) office
visit (5%)
Explanatory handout will be distributed for #2.
ZEN COURSE OUTLINE SPRING 1998
|
Date |
Topic |
Assignment |
|
Jan 21 |
Introduction |
|
|
23, F |
What is Zen? |
C(course)R(reader): D.T. Suzuki, Tworkov, Kapleau |
|
26, M |
Academics: What is Zen? |
Kraft, Intro. and Ch. 1 |
|
28, W |
Zen Practice |
Kraft, Chapter 3 |
|
30, F |
Zen Practice |
CR: Beck, Marcus, Pilmann |
|
Feb. 2, M |
Zen Training Film, Part 1 |
Kasulis, Ch. 1; Critical Analysis #1 due |
|
4, W |
Zen Roots: Mahayana Buddhism |
CR: "Cons. of the Invalid" |
|
6, F |
Nargajuna |
Kasulis, Ch. 2 |
|
9, M |
Daoism |
Kasulis, Ch. 3 |
|
11, W |
The Emergence and Development of Ch'an Buddhism |
Kraft, Ch. 7; CR: "Platform Sutra" |
|
13, F |
No-Mind & Nothingness |
Kasulis, Ch. 4 |
|
16, M |
Zen and Reality |
Kasulis, Ch. 5 |
|
18, W |
Koan Traditions |
Kraft, Ch. 4; CR: Gateless Barrier Koans |
|
20, F |
Eisai and the Rinzai Tradition |
Kraft, Ch.8 |
|
23, M |
Additional Characters |
Kraft, Ch.8; Kasulis, Ch. 6: pp. 65-70 |
|
25, W |
Dogen and Soto Zen |
Kasulis, Ch. 6 all; Critical Analysis #2 due |
|
27, F |
Dogen's Genjokoan |
CR: "Genjokoan" versions |
|
March 2 |
M Person as Presence |
Kasulis Ch. 7 |
|
4, W |
Soto Zen Practice |
S. Suzuki first half |
|
6, F |
Soto Zen Practice |
S. Suzuki conclude : MIDTERM |
|
9, M |
Zen Person |
Kasulis Ch. 9 |
|
11, W |
Zen and Aesthetics |
CR: Hisamatsu : Critical Analysis #3 due |
|
13, F |
No Class |
|
|
16-21 |
Spring Break |
(take Chadwick with you) |
|
23, M |
Zen and Nature |
CR: D.T. Suzuki; R. Tyler |
|
25, W |
Zen and Music |
CR: Blasdell |
|
27, F |
Zen Training Film, Part 2 |
|
|
30, M |
Zen and Poetry Kraft |
Ch. 6 |
|
April 1, W |
Master Ryokan Class |
Haiku |
|
3, F |
Zen in Medieval Japan |
CR: Bodiford |
|
4, S |
Symposium on Japanese Religions |
|
|
6, M |
Hakuin's Zen in Tokugawa Japan |
Kasulis Ch. 8; |
|
8, W |
Developing Japanese Zen |
Kraft Ch.8; Critical Analysis #4 due |
|
April 10, F |
Contemporary Japanese Zen Kraft |
Ch. 9; CR: Matsumoto |
|
13, M |
Zen Training & Corporate Culture |
CR: Kondo; Pollack |
|
15, W |
Corporate Zen CR: Victoria |
Chadwick, Pt. 1 |
|
17, F |
East is East? |
Chadwick parts 2, 3, 4 |
|
20, M |
Skillful Means |
Chadwick parts 5, 6, 7 |
|
22, W |
Zen in North America |
Kraft, Ch. 10 |
|
24, F |
Film: "Zen Center" |
Aitken article; Encouraging Words "Putting Zen to Work" |
|
27, M |
Zen and Ethics |
Ives, Intro & Ch. 1 |
|
29, W |
Zen and Ethics |
Ives, Ch. 2; Critical Analysis #5 due |
|
May 1, F |
Zen and Ethics |
Ives, Ch. 4 |
|
4, M |
Wisdom, Suffering, Practice |
Ives, Ch. 5; CR: Student response |
|
6, W |
The Good Society |
Ives, Ch. 6, pp. 114-129 |
|
8, F |
The Feasible Society? |
Ives, Ch. 6, pp. 129-144; CR: poems |
|
|
FINAL EXAM (take home) |
|