REL 444/544 Medieval Japanese Buddhism, Winter 2010 Mark
Unno CRN 25684/25685
Instructor: Mark T. Unno, Office: PLC 812, Tel. 346-4973,
munno [@] uoregon.edu http://www.uoregon.edu/~munno/
2:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m., CHA 203; Office Hours: Thursdays 12:05 p.m. -
1:35 p.m. PLC 812
Overview
REL 444/544 Medieval Japanese Buddhism focuses on selected
strains of Japanese Buddhism during the medieval period from the
thirteenth through the eighteenth centuries. The course weaves
together the examination of religious thought and cultural
developments in historical context. We begin with an overview of key
Buddhist concepts, go onto examine the formative matrix of early
Japanese religion, and then turn to the Chinese Daoist classic
Zhuangzi. While this might seem unusual in a course on
Japanese Buddhism, as we shall see it reflects a key classical
influence in the formation of Japanese religion generally. Once some
of the outlines of the intellectual and cultural framework of
medieval Japanese Buddhism have been brought into relief, we will
proceed to examine in depth examples of significant medieval
developments. In particular, we will delve into the work of Myoe
Koben (1173-1232), a monk of the Kegon and Shingon sects; Eihei Dogen
(1200-1253), Zen master and founding figure of the Soto sect; and
Shinran, founding figure of J odo Shinshu, the largest Pure Land
sect, more simply known as Shin Buddhism. We conclude with the study
of some modern examples that nonetheless are grounded in classical
and medieval sources, thus revealing the ongoing influence of
medieval Japanese Buddhism.
Themes of the course include: Buddhism as state religion; the
relation between institutional practices and individual religious
cultivation; ritual practices and transgression; gender roles and
relations; relations between ordained and lay; religious authority
and enlightenment; and two-fold truth and religious practice. The
seminar format includes lecture, student presentations, and
discussion.
Requirements
1. Attendance: Required. Students can have one
unexcused absence without penalty. Each class missed thereafter
without prior permission will result in 1/2 grade penalty for the
course grade.
2. Short exams: There will be two short, in-class exams, based
on materials from the readings, lectures, and course web site.
3. Medium papers: There will be two medium-length papers (3-4 pages)
based on topics that will be provided by the instructor.
4. Presentation: Students will make a presentation on the readings
for one of the section meetings. The presenter should not
summarize the reading but should use the presentation to discuss why
the selected ideas/passages in question are important for
understanding the reading and proceed to explain as well as raise
questions about these ideas/passages.
The primary purpose of these presentations is to launch the
discussion, not to demonstrate breadth of knowledge or to lead the
discussion. Each presenter will prepare a handout with 2 questions
and brief, corresponding quotations from the readings. More detailed
instructions will be provided on the course web site.
5. Final paper: Each student will hand in a final paper of 8-11 pages
double-spaced (A longer final paper of 12-15 pages will be required
for those who have registered for REL544.) Suggested topics will be
provided. Students may choose to create their own topics with the
consent of the instructor. In the case of the latter, a one-paragraph
description of the topic must be submitted by email to the
instructor one week prior to the due date.
6. Late policy on written assignments: Three grace days total will be
allotted excluding the final paper for which no extensions will be
given. For the short papers, a cumulative total of three late days
will be allowed without penalty. Thereafter, each late day will
result in a two-point deduction from the course grade. Weekends are
not counted against the grace days.
7. Be sure to bring the readings to class, including printed copies
of e-reserves.
Grades
Short exam A 10% Short exam B 10 Short paper I 15% Short
paper II 15%
Presentation 10% Discussion 10% Final paper 30%
Assignments Exam A-1/14, Exam B-2/11, Paper I-10/18,
Paper II-2/18, Final Paper-3/11.
Required Texts
1. Shinmon Aoki, Coffinman: The Journal of a Buddhist Mortician
(Anaheim, CA: Buddhist Education Ctr, 2002).
2. John Stevens, One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poems of Ryokan
(NY: Weatherhill, 1977).
3. Kosho Uchiyama, Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen
Buddhist Practice (Boston: Wisdom, 2004)
4. Mark Unno, Shingon Refractions: Myoe and the Mantra of Light
(Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2004).
5. Taitetsu Unno, Tannisho: A Shin Buddhist Classic (Honolulu:
Buddhist Study Center Press, 1987).
6. Burton Watson, trans., Zhuangzi (New York: Columbia
University Press, 2003).
Course Packet-REL 444/544 Medieval Japanese Buddhism (Winter
2010).