Topics for Paper II, REL 440/540 Buddhist Scriptures

Due date: Thursday, November 8, in class

• Double-spaced, not more than 800 words. (You may use parenthetical notation to indicate page numbers for textual references. Provide a bibliography at the end.)
• I encourage you to discuss these topics with one another.
• Be sure to write your name, the name of the class, and the title of your topic (The Goddess and Hui-neng, Bodhidharma and Hui-neng ) at the top of the page.
• 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. Hui-neng and Dogen on Buddha-nature and Sudden Awakening

Compare and contrast Hui-neng and Dogen's conceptions of Buddha-nature and Sudden Awakening as articulated in the Platform Sutra and "Genjokoan," respectively. What are the strengths and weaknesses? Which one do you think is more convincing? Why?

2. Myoe's Mushrooms and Chuang Tzu's Butterfly

Imagine that mushrooms and butterflies could talk. Write a dialogue between them regarding what they think of Myoe and Chuang Tzu's views on the self, language, and illusion. What would the Shroom and the Butterfly have to say about the episodes in which they appear, and about the understanding of self, language, and illusion demonstrated by Myoe and Chuang Tzu

3. Pilgrimage and Wandering

One might characterize Myoe as a pilgrim - in search of Buddhist India geographically and enlightenment spiritually. Chuang Tzu might be seen as a wanderer, floating aimlessly and freely in the currents of the Tao.

Option 1: Write a paper from Myoe's perspective that discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Chuang Tzu's views on wandering.

Option 2: Write a paper from Chuang Tzu's perspective that discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Myoe's views on pilgrimage.

Option 3: Compose a dialogue between Chuang Tzu and Myoe on the significance of wandering and pilgrimage for attaining spiritual liberation.

(Suggestions for all three options: CT might begin to see elements of pilgrimage in his own vision, or Myoe might begin to see elements of wandering in his, but that would be up to you. Pilgrimage tends to be more explicitly goal-oriented. Wandering tends to be more focused on the present moment. These are probably tendencies rather than absolute qualities.)

4. Hui-neng and Myoe

Compare and contrast Hui-neng and Myoe's views on the sutra as sacred scripture. What is the meaning of the sutra as a genre, and what is its status in Buddhism?