Zen Buddhism AEAS 357 University at Albany, SUNY: Spring 2017 Meeting Times and Location: MWF 11:30AM-12:25PM, ED 120 Instructor: Aaron P. Proffitt, PhD Email: aproffitt@albany.edu Office Hours Time and Location: MW 10:30-11:30, or by appointment 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, and the world. 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. Readings will consist of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Buddhist texts in translation as well as English language works by contemporary Zen masters and scholars. There are no prerequisites. All are welcome. 1
REQUIRED TEXTS Jeffrey L. Broughton, The Bodhidharma Anthology: The Earliest Records of Zen (1999) ISBN-13: 978-0520219724 Three Chan Classics (2006) ISBN-13: 978-1886439078 John R. McRae, Seeing Through Zen: Encounter, Transformation, and Genealogy in Chinese Chan Buddhism (2004) ISBN-13: 978-0520237988 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: http://www.albany.edu/health_center/medicalexcuse.shtml 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. 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 2
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) http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html 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: http://www.albany.edu/disability/index.shtml 1 01/23 01/25 01/27 2 01/30 02/01 02/03 Introduction to Buddhism Course Introduction Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism, Introduction: In the World of the Buddha, 43-86. (Start) (On Blackboard) Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism, Introduction: In the World of the Buddha, 43-86 (finish) Early Chinese Religions Analects of Confucius 論語 http://www.acmuller.net/con-dao/analects.html Dao de jing 道德經 http://www.acmuller.net/con-dao/daodejing.html Zhuangzi 莊子 http://www.acmuller.net/con-dao/zhuangzi.html 3
3 02/06 02/08 02/10 4 02/13 02/15 02/17 5 02/20 02/22 02/24 6 02/27 03/01 03/03 Early Chinese Buddhism The Sutra of Forty-two Sections 四十二章経, 29-44. http://www.bdk.or.jp/document/dgtl-dl/dbet_apocryphalscriptures_2005.pdf Contemplation Sutra 観無量寿仏経, 63-88 http://www.bdk.or.jp/document/dgtl-dl/dbet_threepurelandsutras_2003.pdf Zhiyi 智顗, Mohezhiguan 摩訶止観 (On Blackboard) Early Chan Buddhism Broughton, The Bodhidharma Anthology, 1-52 Broughton, The Bodhidharma Anthology, 53-76; 76-96 (optional) The Faith Mind Maxim 信心銘, in Three Chan Classics, 115-129 The Heart Sutra 般若心經 (On Blackboard) The Diamond Sutra / The Platform Sutra Diamond Sutra 金剛般若波羅蜜多経 http://www.acmuller.net/bud-canon/diamond_sutra.html The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch 六祖大師法宝壇経, 17-52 http://www.bdk.or.jp/document/dgtl-dl/dbet_t2008_platformsutra_2000.pdf The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch 六祖大師法宝壇経, 53-94 http://www.bdk.or.jp/document/dgtl-dl/dbet_t2008_platformsutra_2000.pdf Essentials of the Transmission of Mind / The Recorded Sayings of Linji Essentials of the Transmission of Mind 黃檗山斷際禪師傳心法要, 13-42 The Recorded Sayings of Linji 臨濟錄, in Three Chan Classics, 1-30 The Recorded Sayings of Linji 臨濟錄, in Three Chan Classics, 30-63. 4
7 03/06 03/08 03/10 Wumen s Gate / Blue Cliff Record Wumen s Gate 無門關, in Three Chan Classics, 67-112 Wumen s Gate 無門關, in Three Chan Classics, (finish) Blue Cliff Record 碧巖錄 (Selections on Blackboard) ***MID-TERM PAPER DUE*** ***SPRING BREAK 03/11-03/19*** 8 03/20 03/22 03/24 9 03/27 03/29 03/31 10 04/03 04/05 Seeing Through Zen McRae, Seeing Through Zen, 1-21. McRae, Seeing Through Zen, 22-44. McRae, Seeing Through Zen, 45-73. Seeing Through Zen, cont. McRae, Seeing Through Zen, 74-100. McRae, Seeing Through Zen, 101-118. McRae, Seeing Through Zen, 119-154. Seon Buddhism Collected Works of Korean Buddhism 1: Wonhyo, Selected Works (On Blackboard) Preface to the Commentary on the Jin Translation of the Flower Ornament Sūtra (Hwaeomgyeong so seo) 晉譯花嚴經疏序, 57-61. Awaken Your Mind and Practice (Balsim suhaeng jang) 發心修行章, 261-268. Collected Works of Korean Buddhism 2: Chinul, Selected Works (On Blackboard) Admonitions to Neophytes (Kye ch osim hagin mun) 誡初心學人文, 195-205. Preface and Conclusion from Condensation of the Exposition of the Avatamsakasutra 5
(Hwaŏm non chŏryo) 華嚴論節要, 355-366. 04/07 11 04/10 04/12 04/14 12 04/17 04/19 04/21 13 04/24 04/26 04/28 14 05/01 Collected Works of Korean Buddhism 3: Hyujeong, Selected Works (On Blackboard) Resolutions of [The Differences Between] Seong and Doctrine (Seon-gyogyeol), 293-304. Zen Buddhism Zen Texts, A Treatise on Letting Zen Flourish to Protect the State, 71-114. No Class: Classes Resume at 12:35pm Dogen s Lancet of Seated Meditation (On Blackboard) Early Modern Japanese Zen No Class: Classes Resume at 12:35pm Zen Texts, A Universal Recommendation for True Zazen, 251-259. Zen Texts, Advice on the Practice of Zazen, 263-276. Hakuin, Authentic Zen (On Blackboard) Obaku (On Blackboard) Buddhist Modernism, Japanese Zen, and Humanistic Buddhism Suzuki, Zen and Japanese Culture (On Blackboard) Sharf, Zen of Japanese Nationalism (On Blackboard) Shengyan (On Blackboard) Kim Iryop and Modern Seon Buddhism Kim Iryop, Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun, Translator s Introduction (optional, but highly recommended) Chapters 1-4 (https://muse.jhu.edu/book/29070) 6
05/03 05/05 15 05/08 05/10 Kim Iryop, Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun, Chapters 5-8 https://muse.jhu.edu/book/29070 Kim Iryop, Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun, Chapters 9-13 https://muse.jhu.edu/book/29070 Contemporary Chan/Seon/Thien/Zen Teachers Kim Iryop, Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun, Part II: Chapters 14-17 https://muse.jhu.edu/book/29070 Shundo Aoyama (On Blackboard) Sister Chan Khong (On Blackboard) ***LAST DAY OF CLASS*** ***FINAL PAPER DUE: 05/19, Midnight*** 7