1

KIIS Japan, Summer 2018

RELS 399: Buddhism in Japan

Professor: Dr. J. L. Richey

Email: richeyj@berea.edu

Syllabus subject to change

COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES This course offers an introduction to the ideas, imagery, institutions, and practices of Buddhism in Japan,

including its relationships with Confucian, Daoist (Taoist), and Shintō traditions. Through analysis of

hagiographical, ritual, and scriptural texts (in English translation), examination of art and architecture, and visits to religious sites and museum collections, students will develop a basic understanding of the unity and diversity of Buddhist spirituality in Japan.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES Students who complete this course successfully should be able to demonstrate (1) familiarity with basic Buddhist concepts and practices, (2) ability in written and oral communication about Japanese Buddhist traditions, (3) critical appreciation of Buddhism as an aspect of Japanese culture.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

REFLECTIONS (4) = 40% of grade SITE VISIT REPORTS (2) = 40% of grade PRESENTATION (1) = 20% of grade Each reflection should be no fewer than 250 words of error-free English prose consisting of comments and questions (not summaries) about assigned material, with sources cited completely and correctly according to a recognized documentation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA). Due by start of class as indicated in COURSE CALENDAR below (email/hard copy).

Each reflection should be no fewer than 500 words of error-free English prose consisting of analysis of a site visited during the program using conceptual terms (see BJR 30-31), descriptive categories, and primary-source texts (at least 2) introduced in the course. Sources must be cited completely and correctly according to a recognized documentation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA). Due by start of class as indicated in COURSE CALENDAR below (email/hard copy).

Presentations will be oral and made in class. Each should offer a detailed analysis of a specific work of Buddhist art or architecture encountered during the program (e.g., ítems found in the Nara or Tōkyō National Museums or at various temples visited by the group) using conceptual terms (see BJR 30-31), descriptive categories, and texts (at least 4) introduced in the course. The use of visual aids is encouraged but not required. Each presentation should be between 15 and 25 minutes in duration. Each presenter must submit a bibliography in which all sources are cited completely and correctly according to a recognized documentation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA). Due in class on date scheduled by instructor (TBA).

Monju bosatsu 文殊菩薩 Enma-ō 閻魔王

(personification of wisdom) (king of hell realms)

2

COURSE MATERIALS 1. de Bary, William Theodore, ed. The Buddhist Tradition in India, China, and Japan [BT].

New York: Vintage, 1972. ISBN: 9780394716961 2. Ishii, Ayako. Buddhist Statuary [BS]. Tōkyō: Shō ̄gakukan, 2017. ISBN: 9784093884600 3. Richey, J. L., ed. Buddhism in Japan Reader [BJR]. (provided by instructor)

COURSE CALENDAR # DATE (DAY) TO READ/DO TO VISIT TO TURN IN 1 6月5日 (火) Introduction to Buddhism

BT 3-15, 158-160, 28-29 BS 6-11, 23-27, 30-33 BJR 1-2

Nara National Museum Bring BS with you!

2 6月6日 (水) Introduction to Buddhism

BT 73-85, 100-101, 120-122 BS 37-39, 46-53 BJR 3-7

REFLECTION 1

3 6月7日(木) Early Japanese Buddhism BT 255-271 BS 14-15, 73-103 BJR 8-10

Tōdaiji 東大寺 Kasuga Taisha 春日大社

Bring BS with you!

4 6月8日(金) Esoteric Buddhism BT 287-304 BS 16-17, 57-69 BJR 11-14

REFLECTION 2

5 6月9日(土) Pure Land Buddhism BT 314-331 BS 28-29, 40-45 BJR 15-17

SITE VISIT REPORT 1

EXCURSION TO BYŌDŌ-IN 平等院 (Bring BS with you!)

6 6月12日 (火) True Pure Land Buddhism BT 331-344

REFLECTION 3

7 6月13日 (水) Nichiren Buddhism BT 345-354 BJR 18-19

8 6月14日(木) Zen Buddhism

BT 355-367 BJR 20

REFLECTION 4

9 6月15日(金) Zen Buddhism

BT 367-381 BJR 21-28

SITE VISIT REPORT 2

EXCURSIONS TO NIKKŌ日光, TŌKYŌ NATIONAL MUSEUM, & MIYAJIMA 宮島 (Bring BS with you!)

3

# DATE (DAY) TO READ/DO TO VISIT TO TURN IN 10 6月25日(月)

INDIVIDUAL PRE-PRESENTATION CONSULTATIONS As scheduled by instructor

PRESENTATION BIBLIOGRAPHY (on your presentation date)

11 6月26日 (火) PRESENTATIONS As scheduled by instructor

Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺

12 6月27日 (水) PRESENTATIONS As scheduled by instructor

Kinkaku-ji 金閣寺 Ryōan-ji 龍安寺

13 6月28日(木) WRAP-UP & EVALUATIONS BJR 29

Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社

合掌