LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 31, Religions of China. Zhāng Huán 張洹, Q-Confucius No.2, 2011

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AST/REL 132 Dr. J. L. Richey Fall 2017 Berea College A: MW 8-9:50 a.m. / Nursing 128 richeyj@berea.edu B: TR 8-9:50 a.m. / Draper 116 859-985-3186 LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 31, 2017 Religions of China Zhāng Huán 張洹, Q-Confucius No.

1 AST/REL 132 Dr. J. L. Richey Fall 2017 Berea College A: MW 8-9:50 a.m. / Nursing 128 richeyj@berea.edu B: TR 8-9:50 a.m. / Draper LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 31, 2017 Religions of China Zhāng Huán 張洹, Q-Confucius No.2, 2011 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course offers an introduction to the principal religious traditions of China: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism (a.k.a. Taoism), as well as the popular religious ideas, institutions, and practices that these three traditions share. The goal of the course is to develop an informed understanding of both Chinese cultural history and religion as a core element in human cultures and personal experience through engagement with primary texts (in English translation) from each tradition as well as attention to images and practices. No prior study of religion or China is assumed. Fulfills: International (Non-Western) and Religion Perspective requirements for General Education Required texts (all other materials provided via moodle.berea.edu [M] or as in-class handouts) 1. Wm. Th. De Bary, et al, eds., Sources of Chinese Tradition, vol. I, 2nd ed. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1999) [SOCT] ISBN Donald S. Lopez, Jr., ed., Religions of China in Practice (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996) [RCP] ISBN Eva Wong, trans., Seven Taoist Masters (Boston and London: Shambhala, 1990) ISBN NOTE: If the structure of this course results in any barriers to your full participation in it, please meet with me to discuss ways to ensure your full participation. Together with Disability & Accessibility Services (111 Lincoln Hall, tel. ext. 3237, lisa.ladanyi@berea.edu), we can determine how to best achieve this goal. I am open to creative solutions as long as they do not compromise the course s core content and learning goals. 1

2 COURSE OUTCOMES & ASSESSMENT Students who complete this course successfully should be able to demonstrate: the ability to identify fundamental ideas, practices, and traditions from Chinese religions the ability to demonstrate critical appreciation of the religiosity of other peoples, eras, and cultures, and the ability to articulate historical relationships between religion and culture in China. Students progress toward achieving these learning outcomes will be assessed using the following instruments: Prepared, present, and engaged participation in all class sessions ( = 20% of course grade, letter-graded). Preparation consists not only of completing all reading and writing assignments prior to specific deadlines, but also re-reading, re-watching, and reflecting on what one has read and watched, including keeping an electronic or written (private) record of your thoughts as you read or watch to keep handy during class sessions. Being present begins, but does not end, with merely showing up for class. Don t just show up; arrive on time, remain throughout the class period, and bring assigned materials with you. If you can t be in class for what you consider to be a good reason, communicate that reason to the instructor in advance, if possible, or after the fact, if not. Excuses may be sought, but will not necessarily be granted. Engagement is a difficult quality to describe, but it entails playing an active role (including active listening as well as active speaking) in class sessions, trying one s best, seeking help when necessary, and not giving up in the face of challenges. Submission of 8 reading responses (= 20% of course grade, graded pass/fail). These should consist of your comments and questions (not summaries) related to a particular week s readings (and/or, on occasion, in-class videos), ed directly to the instructor by 8 a.m. on the dates indicated in the calendar. They must be at least 250 words in length and be written in clear, error-free English prose. All sources, whether quoted or paraphrased, should be cited using a recognized system of documentation of your choice (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA). Reading responses will be graded pass/fail. You may decide the weeks in which you submit responses. Responses cannot be made up or submitted multiply (i.e., more than one per week). Prepared, present, and engaged participation in 1 text seminar ( = 20% of final grade, graded pass/fail). 4 text seminars are scheduled throughout the term; each entails discussion of a particular Chinese literary text that relates to Chinese religious culture. You will be assigned to one particular seminar by the instructor. Attendance is only required of students assigned to particular sessions by the instructor; others may attend if they wish. Students who successfully participate in these seminars will take thorough notes on the assigned text prior to class, voice substantial questions about how to relate the text to previously-assigned material while in class, and respond constructively to both classmates and the instructor s comments and questions throughout the seminar. 2

3 Completion of 2 oral examinations (= 20% of course grade each, letter-graded). Midterm examinations will be scheduled individually by the instructor between October 11 and October 17. Final examinations will be given as scheduled on the course calendar on a firstcome, first-served basis (no individual appointments). Much like text seminars, these examinations will test your ability to speak and think about course content in an informal but informed fashion with reference to assigned materials. COURSE CALENDAR A: W 8/23 B: R 8/24 Orientations: Mountain and Village, Transcendence and Immanence 1. Introduction to Chinese Religions (in-class handout) 2. Summoning the Recluse: (in-class video) 3. Beyond Belief China: (in-class video) A: M 8/28 B: T 8/29 READING RESPONSE #1 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Foundations of Chinese Religion, part 1: Sacrifice 1. Deities and Ancestors in Early Oracle Inscriptions (RCP 41-51) 2. Excerpts from Shūjīng (Classic of Documents) (SOCT 29-37) 3. The Zuǒzhuán (SOCT ) A: W 8/30 B: R 8/31 Foundations of Chinese Religion, part 2: Divination 1. The Formation of the Classic of Changes (Yìjīng) (SOCT ) 2. Richard J. Smith, The Sixty-Four Hexagrams: Some Translations of Hexagram Names (Guàmíng) [M] 3. Experiment with virtual Yìjīng [do this before class, after reading texts above]: A: M 9/4 B: T 9/5 READING RESPONSE #2 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Confucian Traditions, part 1 1. Lúnyǔ (Analects) 2:4, 7:22, 8:19, 11:8, 12:5, 14:37, 16:8, 17:19 (SOCT 46-47, 51-53, 55, 58, 61-62) 2. Heaven, Earth, and the Human in the Classic of Filiality (Xiàojīng) (SOCT ) GHOST FESTIVAL (Yúlánpén 盂蘭盆 ) A: W 9/6 B: R 9/7 NO CLASS SESSIONS ATTEND ASIAN STUDIES COLLOQUIUM ( Tuned to the Cosmos, W 9/6, 5:30-6:30 PM, Science 106) A: M 9/11 B: T 9/12 READING RESPONSE #3 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Confucian Traditions, part 2 1. Mèngzǐ (Master Mèng) 2A6, 6A1-6A6 (SOCT 129, ) 2. Excerpts from Xúnzǐ (Master Xún), Human Nature Is Evil (SOCT ) 3

4 A: W 9/13 B: R 9/14 TEXT SEMINAR #1 (if assigned by instructor) 1. Lĭ Yìyún, Son [M] A: M 9/18 B: T 9/19 READING RESPONSE #4 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Daoist Traditions, part 1 1. Lǎozǐ (Old Master) 3, 5, 18, 29, 57, 60, 80 (SOCT 80-81, 84, 86, 90-91, 94) 2. Excerpts from Zhuāngzǐ (Master Zhuang) (SOCT , , , ) A: W 9/20 B: R 9/21 Daoist Traditions, part 2 1. Laozi: Ancient Philosopher, Master of Immortality, and God (RCP 52-63) 2. An Early Poem of Mystical Excursion (RCP ) A: M 9/25 B: T 9/26 READING RESPONSE #5 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Synthesis and Syncretism, part 1 1. The Round Way (SOCT ) 2. The Source that is the Way (Dàoyuán) (SOCT ) 3. Dŏng Zhòngshū and Han Views of the Universal Order (SOCT , , ) A: W 9/27 B: R 9/28 CONFUCIUS BIRTHDAY (Kǒngzǐ Dànchén 孔子誕辰 ) Buddhist Traditions, part 1 1. The Introduction of Buddhism (SOCT ) 2. The Parable of the Burning House (SOCT ) 3. Indra s Net (SOCT ) A: M 10/2 B: T 10/3 READING RESPONSE #6 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Buddhist Traditions, part 2 1. The Doctrine of the Three Heavens (SOCT ) 2. Móuzĭ: Disposing of Error (SOCT ) 3. Hán Yù, Memorial on the Bone of Buddha (SOCT ) A: W 10/4 B: R 10/5 TEXT SEMINAR #2 (if assigned by instructor) 1. Gāo Xíngjiàn, Língshān (Soul Mountain), ch. 12 [M] MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL (Zhōngqiūjié 中秋節 ) A: M 10/9 B: T 10/10 NO CLASS SESSIONS READING PERIOD A: W 10/11 B: R 10/12 NO CLASS SESSIONS -- MIDTERM EXAMINATIONS BY INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT AS SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE BY INSTRUCTOR A: M 10/16 B: T 10/17 (MEET IN DRAPER 204-C) A: W 10/18 NO CLASS SESSION MOUNTAIN DAY 山日 4

5 A: M 10/23 B: R 10/19 READING RESPONSE #7 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Buddhist Traditions, part 3 1. Buddhism s Assimilation to Tang Political Culture (SOCT ) 2. Saving the Burning-Mouth Hungry Ghost (RCP ) A: W 10/25 B: T 10/24 Synthesis and Syncretism, part 2 1. Wayne Stein, Enter the Dracula: The Silent Screams and Cultural Crossroads of Hong Kong Cinema, in Draculas, Vampires, and Other Undead Forms: Essays on Gender, Race and Culture, eds. John Edgar Browning and Caroline Joan "Kay" S. Picart (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2009), , [M] 2. Spooky Encounters (Guĭ Dă Guĭ 鬼打鬼, dir. Sammo Hung, 1980), part 1 (in-class video) DOUBLE NINTH FESTIVAL (Chóngjiǔjié 重九節 ) A: M 10/30 B: R 10/26 READING RESPONSE #8 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Synthesis and Syncretism, part 3 1. Jeffrey Jerome Cohen, Monster Culture (Seven Theses), in Monster Theory: Reading Culture, ed. Cohen (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1996), [M] 2. Spooky Encounters (Guĭ Dă Guĭ 鬼打鬼, dir. Sammo Hung, 1980), part 2 (in-class video) A: W 11/1 B: T 10/31 NO CLASS SESSIONS ATTEND ASIAN STUDIES COLLOQUIUM ( U.S.-China Relations, W 11/1, 5:30-6:30 PM, Science 106) A: M 11/6 B: R 11/2 READING RESPONSE #9 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Buddhist Traditions, part 4 1. Excerpts from Lìuzŭ tánjīng (Platform Sūtra of the Sixth Patriarch) (SOCT ) 2. Yúan Wù, Blue Cliff Records (SOCT ) A: W 11/8 B: T 11/7 TEXT SEMINAR #3 (if assigned by instructor) 1. Zhāng Xīnxīn, Dragonworld [M] A: M 11/13 B: R 11/9 READING RESPONSE #10 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Buddhist Traditions, part 5 1. Dàochùo, The Difficult Path and the Easy Path (SOCT ) 2. Death-Bed Testimonials of the Pure Land Faithful [M] 3. To the Land of Bliss (in-class video) A: W 11/15 B: T 11/14 Confucian Traditions, part 3 1. Zhāng Zǎi, The Western Inscription (Xīmíng) (SOCT ) 2. Zhōu Dūnyí, Explanation of the Diagram of the Supreme Polarity (Tàijítú shūo) (SOCT ) A: M 11/20 B: R 11/16 READING RESPONSE #11 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Confucian Traditions, part 4 1. Zhū Xī, Preface to the Family Rituals (SOCT ) 2. Zhū Xī on Spirit Beings (RCP ) 5

--------------- B: T 11/21 NO CLASS SESSION INSTRUCTOR AWAY A: W 11/22 B: R 11/23 NO CLASS SESSIONS THANKSGIVING 感恩節 A: M 11/27 B: T 11/28 READING RESPONSE #12 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Synthesis and Syncretism, part 4 1.

6 B: T 11/21 NO CLASS SESSION INSTRUCTOR AWAY A: W 11/22 B: R 11/23 NO CLASS SESSIONS THANKSGIVING 感恩節 A: M 11/27 B: T 11/28 READING RESPONSE #12 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Synthesis and Syncretism, part 4 1. Supernatural Retribution and Human Destiny (RCP ) 2. Guānyīn and Cutting One s Body (Gēgŭ) (SOCT ) 3. Míng Taìzŭ, Discussion of the Three Teachings (SOCT ) 4. Taoism: A Question of Balance (in-class video) A: W 11/29 B: R 11/30 TEXT SEMINAR #4 (if assigned by instructor) 1. Liú Cíxīn, Taking Care of God [M] A: M 12/4 B: T 12/5 READING RESPONSE #13 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Daoist Traditions, part 3 1. Seven Taoist Masters, 1-72 A: W 12/6 B: R 12/7 Daoist Traditions, part 4 1. Seven Taoist Masters, A: T 12/ FINAL EXAMINATION (9-10:50 AM, DRAPER 204) B: T 12/12 FINAL EXAMINATION (1-2:50 PM, DRAPER 204) 6

Confucian and Buddhist Philosophy Syllabus

Instructor: Justin Tiwald Confucian and Buddhist Philosophy Syllabus (modified for Neo-Confucianism.com website) Course structure: seminar, 15-20 students, 3-hour meetings once per week Course Description: