Readings in Japanese
Religion
EAS 394/REL 394 (8531)
Spring 2008
Class Time and Location: TTH 1:15–2:35 in HU 019
Instructor: Mark Blum
Office: HU 254E
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 3:00–4:00
Phone: 442-4183
e-mail: mblum@albany.edu
Textbooks:
Tannisho: A Shin Buddhist Classic (2nd
rev. ed.) tr. by T. Unno. Buddhist Study Center Press, 1996.
The Heart of Dogen's Shobogenzo tr. by N. Waddell and Masao
Abe. SUNY Press, 2002.
Silence by Endo Shūsaku, tr.
by W. Johnston. Taplinger Publishing, 1980.
The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin tr. by N.
Waddell. Shambhala, 1994.
Prerequisites: This is a
second-tier class on the religious traditions of Japan and requires a previous
class in Japanese religion or Buddhism. Enrollment is only by permission of the
instructor.
Course
Description:
As a continuation to Introduction
to the Religions of Japan (EAS 261), this course will focus on detailed
readings in translation of representative religious texts written in Japan.
Building on students’ background of having studied the values, notions of
mankind and society, and religious needs in the Japanese traditions of
Buddhism, Shinto, and Confucianism, we will read essays written by or about people who lived in the
Kamakura, Edo, and Modern periods. The focus in this particular class will be
on Pure Land Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Nichirenism, and Christianity. No knowledge of the Japanese language
is required: all assigned reading materials are in
English and all discussion will be in English.
Class Discussion
Leadership
All students will lead one discussion on the reading
assigned for that day. This will require preparation not only of the reading
materials but also preparation of a list of question to ask about the readings
to stimulate discussion. Because everyone needs to do this, a no-show generally
cannot be made up and you will receive 0 points for this assignment. As some of
the readings are rather abstract, you are encouraged to prepare a few days in
advance and seek assistance of the instructor during office hours if needed.
Research Paper
A research paper of 8-12 pages is required based on the
topic of your choice in Japanese religious culture, past or present, but subject
to the approval of the instructor. There will be no oral presentation, but the
paper should be well-researched using at least four non-Internet sources.
Internet sources may be used only as a supplement
to research conducted in printed materials or through interviews, unless an
internet site is confirmed to be of sufficient academic quality by the
instructor, and all internet sites must be referenced in notes and biliography
in the proper manner, with full URL information. The format of the papers must
be in 12 point type, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around, and with
all quotes indented and single-spaced. This must be written entirely by
yourself, must contain a bibliography of
your sources, and must give references for all quotations and opinions.
Requirements:
1) You are expected to secure all required books, attend
all classes, and to have read the relevant reading assignment for each class beforehand.
The best way to prepare is to take notes on what you read, jotting down any
questions you have, and read those notes over before class begins. Always bring a copy of the day's
reading assignment to class.
2) This class has no textbooks explaining what you need to know, there will be no
lecture material put on ERes, and lecturing in class will be held to a minimum.
The content of the course will be created as we read and discuss each text and
nothing will be repeated. Therefore it is imperative that you attend ALL
classes.
3) This class will be conducted as a reading seminar, and
all relevant questions will be welcome. Exams will presume you have attended,
participated, and understood all discussions. If something is unclear to you,
it is your responsibility to seek clarification. Do not be afraid to ask
questions about anything related to the text, person, or tradition under discussion.
Academic Integrity: The discovery of any cheating
(including plagiarism or shared work of any kind) on an exam or written
assignment will result in (1) immediate expulsion from the course with a
failing grade; and (2) a report to appropriate SUNY officials. Appeals may be
made through appropriate channels. You are encouraged to read the
description of how to properly cite source materials, what constitutes
plagiarism, and other helpful guides for academic writing on the department
website under the title East Asian Studies Style Guide. Note: copying and submitting
material(s) from the World Wide Web without citation is plagiarism!
Grading:
Grades are based on four elements: 1) class preparation, attendance,
participation; 2) class discussion leadership; 3) midterm examination 4)
research paper of 10-15 pages; 5) final examination.
Here is the grading distribution by category:
Classwork 15%
Class
Discussion Leadership 10%
Midterm
Exam 25%
Research
Paper 25%
Final
Exam: 25%
Schedule:
Readings are from the four required books plus other
materials posted on ERes for downloading. Please pay particular attention to
the required readings for each class, but also understand that their may be
alterations to the reading schedule if the need arises for more time for
particular topics. In the chart below, The Heart of
Dogen's Shobogenzo is abbreviated as Dōgen, and The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin is abbreviated as
Hakuin.
|
Date |
Class |
Content |
Readings |
|
THU 1/24 |
1 |
Course
Overview |
|
|
TUE 1/29 |
2 |
Hōnen |
ERes #1 |
|
THU 1/31 |
3 |
Shinran (1) |
Tannishō, p. 3-14. |
|
TUE 2/5 |
4 |
Shinran (2) |
Tannishō, p. 15-34. |
|
THU 2/7 |
5 |
film. |
|
|
TUE 2/12 |
6 |
Shinran (3) |
Tannishō, p. 37-63 |
|
THU 2/14 |
7 |
Nichiren (1) |
ERes #2 |
|
TUE 2/19 |
8 |
Nichiren (2) |
ERes #2 |
|
THU 2/21 |
9 |
Dōgen (1) |
Dōgen,
ix-xiii, 1-6 |
|
TUE 2/26 |
10 |
Dōgen (2) |
Dōgen,
7-20 |
|
THU 2/28 |
11 |
Dōgen (3) |
Dōgen,
20 (from Question #8)-30 |
|
TUE 3/4 |
|
no class (holiday) |
|
|
THU 3/6 |
12 |
Dōgen (4) |
Dōgen, 39-47 |
|
TUE 3/11 |
13 |
Dōgen (5) |
Dōgen, 47-58 |
|
THU 3/13 |
14 |
Dōgen (6) |
Dōgen, 59-76, 85-87. ERes
#3 |
|
TUE 3/18 |
15 |
Midterm Examination.
|
|
|
THU 3/20 |
16 |
Christianity (1) |
Silence,
3-30 |
|
TUE 3/25 |
|
no class (holiday) |
|
|
THU 3/27 |
|
no class (holiday) |
|
|
TUE 4/1 |
17 |
Christianity (2) |
Silence:
31-100 |
|
THU 4/3 |
18 |
reading day. |
Silence:
101-154 |
|
TUE 4/8 |
19 |
Christianity (3) |
Silence:
155-201 |
|
THU 4/10 |
20 |
Hakuin (1) |
Hakuin, 1-18 |
|
TUE 4/15 |
21 |
Hakuin (2) |
Hakuin, 19-35 |
|
THU 4/17 |
22 |
Hakuin (3) |
Hakuin, 36-60,
61-82? |
|
TUE 4/22 |
23 |
Kiyozawa Manshi |
ERes
#4 |
|
THU 4/24 |
24 |
Nishitani Keiji |
ERes
#5 |
|
TUE 4/29 |
25 |
Soka Gakkai |
ERes
#6 |
|
THU 5/1 |
26 |
Tenrikyo Research Paper Due |
ERes
#7 |
|
TUE 5/6 |
|
REVIEW |
|
|
TUE 5/13 |
|
FINAL
EXAM 10:30–12:30 |
|