Buddhist Traditions (Rel 6346 sec 4983 ) Fall 2011 Prof. Mario Poceski (Religion Dept., Univ. of Florida) Class Time & Location Wed 9:35 12:35; CBD 234. Office Hours & Contact Information Mon 10:30 12:15 pm, and by appointment, 132 Anderson Hall. (352) 273-2937; mpoceski@ufl.edu; www.clas.ufl.edu/users/mpoceski. Course Description The graduate seminar serves as a comprehensive survey of Buddhism, covering principal texts, doctrines, traditions, and historical developments, with a focus on South and East Asia. Students will become acquainted with recent scholarship on Buddhism, read representative works from the canonical collections, and reflect on the scope and nature of Buddhist studies as an academic discipline. This is one of the core courses in the Asian religions track of the graduate program in religion. Prerequisites There are no formal prerequisites, although prior knowledge of Buddhism will be very helpful. No knowledge of Asian languages is required, but students are encouraged to do extra readings in the classical languages they use for their research. Format The seminar is organized around class discussions based on the assigned weekly readings. Each week, the students will rotate the responsibility of making presentations and leading discussions of the assigned readings. Students are required to come to each class prepared to engage in critical analysis and discussion of the relevant materials. Requirements Class attendance, participation, and reading of all assigned materials (20% of the final grade). Class presentations, reading summaries, and leading of discussions (10%). Bibliography of academic works on Buddhism, due 11/23 (10%). Research paper, due 12/2 (60%). Required Texts Berkwitz, Stephen C. South Asian Buddhism: A Survey. Williams, Paul. Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations. Poceski, Mario, ed. The Blackwell Companion to East and Inner Asian Buddhism, select chapters (distributed in class). Lopez, Donald S., ed. Curators of the Buddha: The Study of Buddhism under Colonialism. Course Reader (CR, distributed in class). Buswell, Robert, ed. Encyclopedia of Buddhism (EB), select articles (available as an e-book and a hardcover at the UF library). 1 Poceski Buddhist Texts Syllabus
Discussion Topics and Course Schedule (Tentative and subject to change) Week 1 8/24 Introduction to the Course [EB] India, Buddha, Sangha W 2 8/31 W 3 9/7 W 4 9/14 W 5 9/21 W 6 9/28 W 7 10/5 W 8 10/12 Part 1: South Asia Early Buddhist History and Teachings Berkwitz 1 51; Bodhi: 1 40; (optional: Lamotte) Traditions of Early Buddhism Berkwitz 51 67, 113 17; Collins; [EB] Theravāda, Mainstream Buddhist Schools, Canon Development of the Mahāyāna Tradition Williams 1 115; Berkwitz 68 86; Harrison Mahāyāna Texts and Teachings Williams: 141 256; Berkwitz 86 103; Thurman Emergence of Tantra Berkwitz 125 38; Davidson: 1 24, 113 68, 293 339; [EB] Tantra, Tibet Later Developments in South Asian Buddhism Berkwitz 139 205 Part 2: East Asia Transmission and Growth of Buddhism in China Zurcher, Poceski (both chapters) W 9 10/19 W 10 10/26 W 11 11/2 W 12 11/9 Buddhism and Chinese Culture Wang and Grant chapters in Poceski; Poceski, Mollier; [EB] China, Buddhist Art in, Dunhuang, Chan Art Chinese Buddhist Doctrines Gimello, Swanson; [EB] Huayan jing, Huayan School (optional: Williams: 116 38) Chan/Zen History and Literature Poceski (both articles), Cleary & Cleary, Cheng Chien Buddhism in Korea Lee; [EB] Korea W 13 11/16 W 14 11/23 W 15 11/30 W 16 12/7 Buddhism in Japan Blair and Curley chapters in Poceski; de Bary; [EB] Japan Part 3: The West Western Engagements with Buddhism Lopez: 1 61, 107 160 Buddhist Studies as an Academic Discipline Lopez: 251 95; [EB] Buddhist Studies ; Schopen, Gómez Students presentations of their research projects 2 Poceski Buddhist Texts Syllabus
Course Reader Lamotte, Etienne. History of Indian Buddhism: 1 84. Bhikkhu Bodhi, ed. In the Buddha s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pāli Canon: 1 40. Collins, Steven. "On the Very Idea of the Pali Canon," Journal of the Pali Text Society 15 (1990): 89 126. Harrison, Paul. "Searching for the Origins of the Mahayana: What are we looking for?" Eastern Buddhist 28.1 (Spring, 1995): 48 69. Thurman, Robert. The Holy Teaching of Vimalakīrti: A Mahāyāna Scripture: 10 19. Davidson, Ronald M. Indian Esoteric Buddhism: A Social History of the Tantric Movement: 1 24, 113 68, 293 339. Poceski, Mario. Introducing Chinese Religions: chapters 5 & 6. Zurcher, Eric. Perspectives on the Study of Chinese Buddhism. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2 (1982): 161 76. Poceski, Mario. Lay Models of Engagement with Chan Teachings and Practices among the Literati in Mid-Tang China. Journal of Chinese Religions 35 (2007): 63 97. Mollier, Christine. Buddhism and Taoism Face to Face: Scripture, Ritual, and Iconographic Exchange in Medieval China: 1 22. Gimello, Robert. Apophatic and Kataphatic Discourse in Mahāyāna: A Chinese view. Philosophy East and West 26/2 (1976): 117 136. Swanson, Paul L. Foundations of T ian-t ai Philosophy: The Flowering of the Two truths Theory in Chinese Buddhism: 1 17, 115 56. Cheng Chien Bhikshu. Sun-Face Buddha: The Teachings of Ma-tsu and the Hung-chou School of Ch an: 59 94. Poceski, Mario. Mazu yulu and the Creation of the Chan Records of Sayings. Steven Heine and Dale S. Wright, eds. The Zen Canon: Understanding the Classic Texts: 53 79. Poceski, Mario. Guishan jingce and the Ethical Foundations of Chan Practice. Steven Heine and Dale Wright, eds. Zen Classics: 15 42. Cleary, Thomas & J. C. Cleary, trans. The Blue Cliff Record: 358 63. Lee, Peter and Theodore de Bary, eds. Sources of Korean Tradition: Volume One: 34 53, 78 93, 117 31, 216 35. de Bary, Theodore, et al, eds. Sources of Japanese Tradition: Volume One: 123 74, 205 37. Schopen, Gregory. Bones, Stones, and Buddhist Monks: Collected Papers on the Archeology, Epigraphy, and Texts of Monastic Buddhism in India: 1 22. Gómez, Luis. Unspoken Paradigms: Meanderings through the Metaphors of a Field. JIABS 18/2: 183 229. Encyclopedia Articles Robert Buswell, ed. Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Macmillan Reference, 2003). Access the contents of the e-book version online via UF library s catalogue. Bechert, Buddha, Life of the : 82 88 Silk, Buddhist Studies : 94 101 Harrison, Canon : 111 15 Lachman, Chan Art : 125 30 Rhie, China, Buddhist Art in : 145 54 Whitfield, Dunhuang : 240 41 Anderson, Four Noble Truths : 295 98 Poceski, Huayan jing : 340 41 Poceski, Huayan School : 341 47 Cohen, India : 352 60 Bielefeldt, Japan : 384 91 Keel, Korea : 430 35 Cox, Mainstream Buddhist Schools : 501 07 Sparham, Sangha : 740 44 Davidson & Orzech, Tantra : 820 26 Crosby, Theravāda : 836 41 Davidson, Tibet : 851 59 3 Poceski Buddhist Texts Syllabus
Further Readings In the seminar we will not be going over basic Buddhist concepts and doctrines. Depending on their level of preparation in the field of Buddhist studies, students might need to do additional reading on their own. The following list contains sample works that provide basic information about Buddhist terms, doctrines, historical developments, and the like, in addition to the aforementioned Encyclopedia of Buddhism. Ch en, Kenneth. Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey. Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History, and Practices. Jones, Lindsay, ed. Encyclopedia of Religion. Mizuno, Kogen. Basic Buddhist Concepts. Grading Final grades will be computed on this scale: o A = 100 93%; A- = 92.5 90%; B+ = 89.5 87%; B = 86.5 83%; o B- = 82.5 80% ; C+ = 79.5 77%; C = 76.5 73%; C- = 72.5 70%; o D+ = 69.5 67%; D = 66.5 63%; D- = 62.5 60%; E = 59.5% or less. The final grade will be based on each student s individual performance and his/her fulfillment of the course requirements, as stipulated in the syllabus. No incomplete grades will be given, except in very exceptional circumstances, in which case the students should contact the instructor no later than a week before the last day of classes. Written Assignments All written assignments must be typewritten and follow standard academic format. The length of the final research paper should be 14 16 pages (double spacing). More information about the paper will be given in class. The bibliography should contain at least 25 titles of academic publications pertinent to the student s research topic. When a student is responsible for leading a weekly discussion, he/she will also have to prepare a 2 3 page summary of the assigned reading(s) and distribute copies of it to everybody in class. A digital copy of each written assignment must be submitted by the due date, at the latest. Students can also submit their papers any time prior to the deadline. No late submissions will be accepted under any circumstances. Students are welcome to bring early drafts of their papers and ask for feedback/advice during the office hours. Attendance Attendance is mandatory for all students, starting with the first day of classes. Students who have problems with class attendance or punctuality should think twice before enrolling in this course. Valid excuses for missed classes must be submitted in writing and in a timely manner, along with pertinent documentation (such as note from a doctor). Written excuses for planned absences (such as participation in athletic meetings or religious observances, for example) must be submitted in advance. Excessive absences from class will have adverse effect on the final grade. Student can miss up to two (2) hours of instruction without any penalty. Each subsequent unexcused hour will lead to a 2% reduction of the final grade. Coming late, leaving early, being inattentive, and other forms of disruptive behavior can be counted as unexcused absences. 4 Poceski Buddhist Texts Syllabus
Extracurricular The assigned readings and other seminar requirements, as described in this syllabus, are a basic minimum. Students are encouraged to take personal initiative to further broaden their knowledge and improve their academic skills by doing additional readings, including materials written in Asian languages pertinent to their area of research, and by initiating further discussions with graduate students and faculty. There will be a field trip to a Buddhist temple or monastery during the course of the semester. Other Notices A student who has a disability that may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements should consult the instructor so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Note that the student is responsible for communicating his/her needs to the instructor. Plagiarism and cheating will result in a failing grade and other serious penalties. For more information, see the Academic Honesty Student Guide brochure, posted online by the Dean of Students Office at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/academic_honesty.html. Registration in this course implies that each student enters a contractual agreement with the instructor, whereas he/she is accountable for fulfilling all course requirements and adhering to the course policies. Students are responsible for knowing and following all schedules and instructions contained in this syllabus, as well as any other instructions given in class (remember, attendance is required, not optional). Any questions about the course requirements or any aspect of the coursework should be resolved by consulting the instructor. The perfect and sudden practice of calmness and insight from the very beginning takes the true nature of reality as its object; being identical with the mean, within it there is nothing that is not true reality. When one s mind connects with the realm of reality and the realm of reality is present within a single thought, then there is no sight or smell that is not the middle way. The realm of self, the realm of Buddhas, and the realm of living creatures are all also like that. There is only one unadulterated reality, and there is nothing outside of that reality. That the nature of all things is quiescent is called calmness; that things are quiescent and yet illuminated is called insight. Guanding s (561 632) preface to Zhiyi s Great Calmness and Insight 5 Poceski Buddhist Texts Syllabus