Topics for Paper III, REL101 World Religions: Asian Traditions

Due Friday, November 13, 2009 in class.

• Double-spaced, 2-3 pages. (You may use parenthetical notation to indicate page numbers for textual references. BE SURE TO INCLUDE PAGE REFERENCES FROM THE READINGS.)
• Be sure to write your name; the name of the class, GTF, and section meeting time; and the NUMBER of your topic at the top of the page.
• I encourage you to discuss these topics with one another.
• I also strongly encourage you to read the essays on my Writing web pages, especially "Four Keys to Writing in the Humanities," "Paper Writing Guidelines," "Checklist for Papers," and "Writing: The Bridge between Consciousness and Unconsciousness."

Topics

1. Zhuangzi and the Problem of the Skillful Assasin

In the Dao, opposited are complementary and ultimately dissolve in the flow of the oneness of the Way: true and false, beautiful and ugly, right and wrong. Then, what is the basis for ethics, if any? Could there be a skillful Daoist assasin if there is a skillful Daoist butcher (Cook Ding)? Why or why not? (Hint: Think about the case of Woodworker Qing.)

Here are some further suggestions concerning the first paper topic on the Daoist assasin.

Here are some things you could consider:

a) What is the basis of ethics in Daoism?
Daoism: Disharmony with the Dao versus Harmony with the Dao.
Buddhism: Suffering versus Liberation from Suffering.
Some other religions: Hard list of rights versus wrong.

b) Why kinds of figures appear in the Zhuangzi?
Do we find Daoist bureacrats? What about Daoist robbers, rapists, and murders?
Why are they included or not included?

c) What is the possible state of mind of a Daoist assasin? Does it fit in with the Dao or not?

 

2. Zhuangzi and the Unfolding of the Way

Discuss the possible development of the Daoist understanding along the following terms: Perspectivalism -> Dissolution of Boundaries -> Oneness (pp. 40-41, 44, 38). Explain this, and then raise at least one possible problem with this view of oneself within the Dao, for example, in terms of making decisions about how to live.

 

 

3. Zhuangzi and the Four-Step Logic

At the end of the book, Zhuangzi states that once one has gotten the meaning of words, then one should forget them. Then he states, "Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so that I can have a word with him." Explain this in terms of the four step logic we have been studying.

 

4. Bodhidharma and Zhuangzi

Describe at least three ways in which the Zen Buddhist legend of Bodhidharma seems to reflect Daist influences. Also, identify at least one way in which Bodhidharma differs from Zhuangzi.