SOCS 604
Zen in Japan: Dogen and the History of Zen Buddhism
William Johnston
| Goals and Method | |
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The goals of this course are primarily to provide an introduction to the basics of Buddhist thought and practice, examine briefly the foundations of early Buddhism, and then to trace the emergence and development of Chan Buddhism in China and its transformation into Zen Buddhism in Japan. The focus will be on the historical contexts of Chan and Zen, keeping in mind the possible tensions that can exist between religious practice and historical understanding. The main method used will be close readings of both primary and secondary texts. After looking at the foundations of Buddhism, we will read the Heart Sutra and a commentary on it, the historical works of Bodhidharma, and the Diamond and Platform Sutras. This will provide a grounding for a discussion of critical secondary texts on Chan and of the foundations and growth of Japanese Zen. The case of Japanese Zen will focus on the example of Dôgen and the Sôtô sect, which are often less well-known in the United States than the Rinzai sect. Students will be asked to write short response papers and a more in-depth research paper. Research papers will be ongoing, and I will work with you closely on an individual or small group basis with them. |
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| Evaluations | |
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1. Class attendance is mandatory. (20% of grade.) 2. Two response papers. (30% of grade.) These will be up to five pages in length, with guidelines to be established before the second class. On the weeks that students present a response paper, they will also be asked to make a presentation at the beginning of the class on the week’s reading. When more than one person is presenting, coordination will be helpful (a phone call is sufficient). 3. Final research paper, to 15 pp. in length. (50% of grade.) The goal of this paper is to allow the exploration of a specific topic in depth. A schedule will be established by the second class for discussion of topics, handing in of research statement and bibliography, a first draft (for peer review), and a final paper. Students will be required to make a presentation of their final project in class. |
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| Books for Purchase | |
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Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught Red Pine, The Heart Sutra Jeffrey L. Broughton, The Bodhidharma Anthology The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui-neng (Shambhala Classics) John R. McRae, Seeing Through Zen Hee-Jin Kim, Eihei Dôgen, Mystical Realist Steven Heine, Did Dôgen To to China? Kazuaki Tanahashi, Enlightenment Unfolds |
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| Course Schedule | |
| Part I: Historical Context & Foundations of Chinese Chan | |
| Week 1 |
History & Practice of Chan & Zen: A Historic Dialogue |
| Week 2 |
Foundations, Part 1. The Historical Buddha & Buddhist Essentials |
| Week 3 |
Foundations, Part 2. The Heart Sutra Red Pine, The Heart Sutra |
| Week 4 |
The “First Patriarch” of Zen Jeffrey L. Broughton, The Bodhidharma Anthology |
| Week 5 |
Two Key Chan Texts The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui-neng |
| Week 6 |
A Critical Perspective on The History of Ch’an: Lineage & Faith John R. McRae, Seeing Through Zen |
| Part II: From Chan to (Soto) Zen | |
| Week 7 |
Thinking about Dôgen Today: History, Practice, Criticism William R. LaFleur, “Dôgen in the Academy,” in Dôgen Studies. (ERes) |
| Week 8 |
More Critical Perspectives on Dôgen; Dôgen in His Own Words Carl Bielefeldt, “Dôgen Studies in America” |
| Week 9 |
Dôgen’s Early Writings Hee-Jin Kim, Eihei Dôgen, Mystical Realist, pp. 13-49. |
| Week 10 |
Dôgen’s Development in Kyoto Heine, Did Dôgen Go to China?, pp. 133-153. |
| Week 11 |
From Kyoto to Echizen Heine, Did Dôgen Go to China?, pp. 155-187. |
| Week 12 |
Monastic Life as Enlightenment Heine, Did Dôgen Go to China?, pp. 189-230. |
| Week 13 |
Discussions of Research Projects We will use this to discuss final projects and to wrap up discussions of outstanding topics of common interest. |