Criteria for Evaluation. Course Description and Syllabus

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Edgar Warner
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1 Course: Instructor: Semester: Spring 2017 Units: 3 Course Description and Syllabus HR 3040 Zen Buddhism: Introduction to Zen Meditation Rev. Daijaku Judith Kinst Ph.D. Ph. (415) Daijaku@shin- ibs.edu Description of Course Content This is an introductory course aimed at developing a sound basic understanding of and experience in Zen Buddhist meditation practices. We will explore teachings on the Soto Zen practice of shikantaza just sitting as well as koan practice in both the Soto and Rinzai traditions. Participation in meditation practice as well as discussion of traditional and contemporary literature on Zen meditation practice are essential aspects of the class. We will also read and discuss writings that focus on Zen meditation practice as it occurs in ritual, bowing, and ordinary activities such as cooking. Consideration of Zen meditation practices as they relate to fundamental Buddhist teachings and an interfaith context will also be included. There are no prerequisites for this course. Summary of Educational Purpose and Learning Activities 1. Provide a sound introduction to the philosophy and practice of Zen Buddhist meditation including shikantaza and koan practice. 2. Develop experience in and an understanding of Zen Buddhist meditation practices through instruction and short meditation sessions in class, as well as experience outside of class. 3. Develop an understanding of the principles central to Zen Buddhist meditation practice through reading and discussion of central texts and commentaries. 4 Explore the relevance of Zen Buddhist meditation practices for the student s spiritual and religious life through dialogue, personal reflection, and meditation practice. 5. Consider Zen meditation practices in relation to the wider Buddhist world and an interfaith context. Assignments 1. Participation in discussion of teachings and texts as well short in- class meditation sessions. 2. Each week, until week 12, a one page paper focused on the week s topic/reading. Papers will be presented in class as a part of class discussion. Questions, critiques and opposing positions are welcome. 3. Visit to a Zen temple or practice center for zazen instruction, participation in a scheduled period of meditation, and one other activity such as a lecture, ritual, or teaching. A two page paper relating your experience to specific class readings. A list of local centers will be provided. 4. Commitment to a daily practice of meditation and a personal reflection journal. Journal entries are for your personal use. 5. Final 15 page paper developing a theme or specific aspect of class material. A class presentation and 5 page paper may be done instead of final paper. Criteria for Evaluation

2 1. The nature and depth of any course is dependent upon class participation, none more than a class such as this. Regular class attendance and participation are essential criteria for evaluation. 2. Participation in discussion of key topics and short meditation sessions in class. 3. Weekly written response paper (until week 12), brought to class on the day material is discussed. 4. Visit to Zen practice center and two page paper relating your visit to material covered in the class. Paper due week Final 15 page paper or presentation with 5 page write up. Grading Pass/Fail or Letter Grade. Required Reading 1. Loori, John Daido (Ed.). (2002). The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza. Boston: Wisdom Publications. (Listed as AJS) 2. Loori, john Daido (Ed.). (2006). Sitting With Koans: Essential Writings on the Practice of Zen Koan Introspection. Boston: Wisdom Publications. (Listed as SWK) 3. Course Reader Week Topics/Reading 1. Introduction/Course Overview How to take this course; Review of syllabus and reader; General principles. 2. How to Practice Zazen the basics. Fundamentals of Zen meditation - physical, mental, and emotional posture. Texts: Loori, AJS pp Loori, SWK pp. XI XIII, Wallace, A. The Spectrum of Buddhist Practice in the West In Westward Dharma (C. Prebish & M. Bauman Eds.) pp Batchelor, M. Zen Meditation Exercises & selections from On a Retreat in Principles of Zen pp , Aoyama, The ABC of Meditation in Walking on Lotus Flowers. (M.Batchelor Ed.) pp Fischer, N. Introduction in Beyond Thinking: A Guide to Zen Meditation (K. Tanahashi Ed.) pp. XXIII XXXIV. Manuel, E. The Zen Mirror of Tokeiji in The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty- five Years of Awakened Women. (F. Caplow and S. Moon Eds.) pp Okamura, S. (Ed.). Helpful visuals for Zen practice - from Shikantaza: An Introduction to Zazen. pp Historical context : Chan & Zen Texts: Loori, AJS pp. ix xii, Loori, SWK pp Arai, P. Historical Context In Women Living Zen pp Roots of Zen Practice & the Korean Perspective Texts: Loori, AJS pp , Loori, SWK pp , Kusan Sunim, Instructions for Meditation In The Way of Korean Zen

3 pp Fukanzazengi, Zazenshin, Shikantaza, and the Nature of Koan Practice Texts: Loori, AJS pp , Loori SWK pp Fischer, Z. N. On Zazen In The Gethsemane Encounter (D.W. Mitchell & J. Wiseman Eds.) pp Cook, F. H. The Importance of Faith In How to Raise and Ox pp Koan Traditions and Dialogues Texts: Loori, SWK , Shibayama, Zuigan Calls Master In No Self in the Koan Tradition pp Osaka, K. On Enlightenment, Koans, and Shikantaza In On Zen Practice (T. Maezumi & B. Glassman Eds.) pp Warner, J. Lingzhao s Shining Grasses, Hirshfield, J. The Old Woman and the Fire Poker, & Kinst, D. J. Ziyong s Ship of Compassion In The Hidden Lamp. (F. Caplow & S. Moon Eds) pp , pp , pp Stevens, J. Selections on Hakuin In Three Zen Masters pp , Thinking, Non Thinking: Meditation and the Discursive Mind Texts: Loori AJS pp , Cook, F. D. Introduction In How to Raise and Ox. pp Kim, H.J. What is Non- Thinking In Dogen on Meditation pp Katagiri, D. Burning the Flame of Life Nonthinking & Mindfulness as the Middle Way In Returning to Silence pp Genjo Koan Texts: Loori AJS pp , Genjo Koan Okumura, S. Genjo Koan, Dogen Zenji s Life and the Importance of Genjo Koan & The Meaning of Genjo Koan In Realizing Genjo Koan pp Cook, F.H., A Few Words on the Genjo Koan In Sounds of Valley Streams: Enlightenment in Dogen s Zen pp Kim, H. J. Zazen- Only & Buddha- Nature In Dogen Kigen Mystical Realist pp , , Reading Week No class on March Keizan, and Hakuin and the Modern Koan Tradition Texts: Loori SWK pp Kasulis, T.P. Hakuin: The Psychodynamics of Zen Training In Zen Action, Zen Person pp Zen Practice Off the Cushion: Ordinary Life, Precepts, and Ritual Practice Texts: Loori AJS pp , Cook, F. H. Giving Life to Our Lives In How to Raise an Ox pp

4 Aitken, R. The Nature of the Precepts In The Mind of Clover: Essays on Zen Buddhist Ethics pp Arai, P. Selections on Ritual and domestic Zen in Bringing Zen Home pp , Leighton, T. D. Zazen as Enactment Ritual In Zen Ritual (S. Heine & D. Wright Eds.) pp Suzuki, S. Bowing In Zen Mind Beginner s Mind pp Wright, D. Introduction: Rethinking Ritual Practice in Zen Buddhism In Zen Ritual (S. Heine & D. Wright Eds.) pp Diversity of Practice: Study and Expression & Zen in the Kitchen Cook, D. F. The Scriptures In How to Raise an Ox. pp Foster, N. & Shoemaker, J. (Eds.) Bassui, Bankei &, Baisao. In The Roaring Stream pp , , Oboro, Selections from The Tiger s Cave (T. Leggett Trans.) pp , 45 48, 51 54, 58 64, Dogen, E. Instructions for the Cook (Tenzokyokun) In Refining Your Life pp Diversity of Practice: Women s Traditions Last week weekly paper is due Levering, M. L. Lin- chi (Rinzai) Ch an and Gender: The Rhetoric of Equality and the Rhetoric of Heroes. In Buddhism, Sexuality, and Gender pp Hopkins, D. & Murcott, S. The Kahawai Koans In Not Mixing Up Buddhism pp Arai, P. Dogen and Women & Meiji Reclamations in Women Living Zen pp Dogen, E. Getting the Marrow by Doing Obeisance (Raihakitokuzui) Arai, P The Way of Healing In Bringing Zen Home. *NOTE: I have included the entire section but you are only required to read pp , The rest is optional. Optional: Arai, P Entire The Way of Healing In Bringing Zen Home. Arai, P. Twentieth Centruy Leadership In Women Living Zen. pp A Banquet of Koans and Stories ** Temple visit paper due** Text: Loori, SWK pp Murphy, S. Nyogen Senzaki, Sekei- an, Soen Nakagawa In One Bird One Stone pp. 8-13, 24-25, Suzuki, S. Selections from To Shine One Corner of the World. 14. Expressing Realization: Contemporary Teaching Voices Texts: Loori AJS pp Loori SWK pp Final Class

HR 3040 Zen Buddhism: Introduction to Zen Meditation

HR 3040 Zen Buddhism: Introduction to Zen Meditation Spring 2016, Mondays 2:10 5:00 PM IBS/JSC Instructor: Charlie Pokorny - korin108@gmail.com Office hours: by appointment Course Level: Introductory Units: