| Unit name | Zen Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS30060 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lomi |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This units offers an overview of the doctrines and practices of Zen Buddhism, one of the most distinguished but often misunderstood Buddhist traditions of East Asia.
While focusing on its history, literature, rituals, approaches to meditation, and path to liberation, the unit also explores the “other sides” of Zen—such as healing practices, funerary activities, and pastoral care—which are often left at the margins of mainstream examinations of Zen.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
(1) Understand a basic understanding of key concepts and historical developments unique to Zen Buddhism
(2) Discern and evaluate conceptual, rhetorical, and soteriological issues that underpin Zen discourse
(3) Illustrate how different living realities of Zen practice relate to its discourse and rhetoric.
(4). Present and contribute to group tasks and discussions
(5). Demonstrate advanced skills in close analysis, argumentation, and critical interpretation using evidence from primary materials and secondary sources
Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
1 x 2000 words portfolio (formative) [ILOs 1-4] 1 x 3000-word summative essay (100%) [ILOs 1-3, 5]
Adamek, Wendi L. The Mystique of Transmission: On an Early Chan History and Its Contexts. New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.
Arai, Paula K. R. Bringing Zen Home: The Healing Heart of Japanese Women's Rituals. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press, 2011.
Faure, Bernard. The Rhetoric of Immediacy: A Cultural Critique of Chan/'zen' Buddhism. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press, 1994.
Heine, Steven, and Dale S. Wright. Zen Ritual: Studies of Zen Theory in Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.
McRae, John R. Seeing Through Zen. Encounter, Transformation, and Genealogy in Chinese Chan Buddhism. University of California Press, 2003.
Winfield, Pamela D, and Steven Heine. Zen and Material Culture. Cary: Oxford University Press US, 2017.
