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Buddhist Traditions (Rel 6346

Prof. Mario Poceski (Religion Dept

ClassClassClassClass Time & LocationTime & LocationTime & LocationTime & Location

Wed 10:40–1:40; LEI 104.

Office Office Office Office HHHHoursoursoursours & Contact Information & Contact Information & Contact Information & Contact Information

Mon & Wed, 4:00–5:00 pm, and by appointment, 132 Anderson

(352) 273-2937; mpoceski@ufl.edu; www.clas.ufl.edu/users/mpoceski

Course DescriptionCourse DescriptionCourse DescriptionCourse Description

The graduate seminar serves as a comprehensive survey of

doctrines, traditions, and historical developments

become acquainted with recent scholarship

canonical collections, and reflect on the scope and

This is one of the core courses in the Asian religions

PrerequisitesPrerequisitesPrerequisitesPrerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites, although

knowledge of Asian languages is required

classical languages they use in their research

FormatFormatFormatFormat

The seminar is organized around class discussions

the students will rotate the responsibility

assigned readings. Students are required to come to each class prepared to engage in critical analysis

and discussion of the relevant materials.

RequirementsRequirementsRequirementsRequirements

• Class attendance, participation, and reading of

• Class presentations, reading summaries,

• Bibliography of academic works on Buddhism

• Research paper, due 4/27 (60%).

Required TextsRequired TextsRequired TextsRequired Texts

Williams, Paul. Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations

Lopez, Donald S., ed. Curators of the Buddha: The Study of Buddhism under Colonialism

Course Reader (CR); will be distributed in class.

Encyclopedia of Buddhism (EB) articles; a

Poceski—Buddhist Texts Syllabus

(Rel 6346)

Religion Dept., Univ. of Florida)

& Contact Information & Contact Information & Contact Information & Contact Information

, and by appointment, 132 Anderson Hall.

www.clas.ufl.edu/users/mpoceski.

serves as a comprehensive survey of Buddhism, covering the

, and historical developments, with a focus on South and East Asia

scholarship on Buddhism, read representative works from

reflect on the scope and nature of Buddhist studies as an academic discipline

one of the core courses in the Asian religions track of the graduate program in religion.

although prior knowledge of Buddhism will be very helpful. No

knowledge of Asian languages is required, but students are encouraged to do extra readings in the

classical languages they use in their research.

nized around class discussions based on the assigned weekly readings.

rotate the responsibility of making presentations and leading discussion

tudents are required to come to each class prepared to engage in critical analysis

e relevant materials.

, and reading of all assigned materials (20% of the final grade).

, reading summaries, and leading of discussions (10%).

of academic works on Buddhism, due 4/1 (10%).

0%).

Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations.

Curators of the Buddha: The Study of Buddhism under Colonialism

; will be distributed in class.

articles; available as an e-Book from the UF library.

Buddhist Texts Syllabus

Spring 2009

the principal texts,

South and East Asia. Students will

works from the

nature of Buddhist studies as an academic discipline.

track of the graduate program in religion.

will be very helpful. No

, but students are encouraged to do extra readings in the

igned weekly readings. Each week,

discussions of the

tudents are required to come to each class prepared to engage in critical analysis

% of the final grade).

Curators of the Buddha: The Study of Buddhism under Colonialism.

2

Discussion Topics and Discussion Topics and Discussion Topics and Discussion Topics and Course Schedule Course Schedule Course Schedule Course Schedule (Tentative and subject to change)

Week 1, 1/7 Introduction to the Course

[EB] “India,” “Buddha,” “Sangha”

Part Part Part Part 1111: : : : South AsiaSouth AsiaSouth AsiaSouth Asia

W 2, 1/14 Early Buddhist History

[CR] Lamotte

W 3, 1/21 Traditions of Early Buddhism

[CR] Bodhi: 1–40; Collins

Schools,” “Canon”

W 4, 1/28 Development of the Mahāyāna

Williams: 1–115; [CR]

W 5, 2/4 Mahāyāna Teachings

Williams: 141–256; [CR] Thurman

W 6, 2/11 Emergence of Tantra

[CR] Davidson: 1–24,

Part Part Part Part 2222: : : : East AsiaEast AsiaEast AsiaEast Asia

W 7, 2/18 Transmission and Growth of Buddhism in China

[CR] Zurcher, Poceski

W 8, 2/25 Buddhism and Chinese Culture

[CR] Poceski, Mollier

W 9, 3/4 Chinese Buddhist Doctrines

Williams: 116–38; [CR]

W 10 Spring break (3/7–3/15)

W 11, 3/18 Chan/Zen Records of Sayings

[CR] Poceski (both articles), Cleary & Cleary,

W 12, 3/25 Special lecture on women in Daoism by Livia Kohn (Boston U)

W 13, 4/1 Buddhism in Korea

[CR] Lee; [EB] “Korea”

W 14, 4/8 Buddhism in Japan

[CR] de Bary; [EB] “Japan”

Part Part Part Part 3333: : : : TTTThe Westhe Westhe Westhe West

W 15, 4/15 Western Engagements with Buddhism

Lopez: 1–61, 107–160

Poceski—Buddhist Texts Syllabus

Course Schedule Course Schedule Course Schedule Course Schedule

Introduction to the Course

“India,” “Buddha,” “Sangha”

Early Buddhist History

s of Early Buddhism

Collins; [EB] “Abhidharma,” “Theravāda,” “Mainstream Buddhist

Development of the Mahāyāna Tradition

[CR] Harrison

Teachings

[CR] Thurman

Emergence of Tantra

24, 113–68, 293–339; [EB] “Tantra,” “Tibet”

Transmission and Growth of Buddhism in China

Poceski (both chapters)

Buddhism and Chinese Culture

Mollier; [EB] “China, Buddhist Art in,” “Dunhuang,” “Chan Art

Chinese Buddhist Doctrines

[CR] Gimello, Swanson; [EB] “Huayan jing,” “Huayan School

3/15)

Records of Sayings

[CR] Poceski (both articles), Cleary & Cleary, Cheng Chien

Special lecture on women in Daoism by Livia Kohn (Boston U)

“Korea”

“Japan”

Western Engagements with Buddhism

Buddhist Texts Syllabus

“Mainstream Buddhist

“Chan Art”

“Huayan School”

3 Poceski—Buddhist Texts Syllabus

W 15, 4/15 Buddhist Studies as an Academic Discipline

Lopez: 251–95; [EB] “Buddhist Studies”; [CR] Schopen, Gómez

W 16, 4/22 Students’ presentations of their research projects

Course ReaderCourse ReaderCourse ReaderCourse Reader

Lamotte, Etienne. History of Indian Buddhism: 1–84.

Bhikkhu Bodhi, ed. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pāli Canon: 1–40.

Collins, Steven. "On the Very Idea of the Pali Canon," Journal of the Pali Text Society 15 (1990): 89–126.

Harrison, Paul "Searching for the Origins of the Mahayana: What are we looking for?" Eastern Buddhist 28.1

(Spring, 1995): 48–69.

Thurman, Robert. The Holy Teaching of Vimalakīrti: A Mahāyāna Scripture: 10–19.

Davidson, Ronald M. Indian Esoteric Buddhism: A Social History of the Tantric Movement: 1–24, 113–68, 293–339.

Poceski, Mario. Introducing Chinese Religions: chapters 5 & 6.

Zurcher, Eric. “Perspectives on the Study of Chinese Buddhism.” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great

Britain and Ireland 2 (1982): 161–76.

Poceski, Mario. “Lay Models of Engagement with Chan Teachings and Practices among the Literati in

Mid-Tang China.” Journal of Chinese Religions 35 (2007): 63–97.

Mollier, Christine. Buddhism and Taoism Face to Face: Scripture, Ritual, and Iconographic Exchange in

Medieval China: 1–22.

Gimello, Robert. “Apophatic and Kataphatic Discourse in Mahāyāna: A Chinese view.” Philosophy East and

West 26/2 (1976): 117–136.

Swanson, Paul L. Foundations of T’ian-t’ai Philosophy: The Flowering of the Two truths Theory in Chinese

Buddhism: 1–17, 115–56.

Cheng Chien Bhikshu. Sun-Face Buddha: The Teachings of Ma-tsu and the Hung-chou School of Ch’an: 59–94.

Poceski, Mario. “Mazu yulu and the Creation of the Chan Records of Sayings.” Steven Heine and Dale S.

Wright, eds. The Zen Canon: Understanding the Classic Texts: 53–79.

Poceski, Mario. “Guishan jingce and the Ethical Foundations of Chan Practice.” Steven Heine and Dale

Wright, eds. Zen Classics: 15–42.

Cleary, Thomas & J. C. Cleary, trans. The Blue Cliff Record: 358–63.

Lee, Peter and Theodore de Bary, eds. Sources of Korean Tradition: Volume One: 34–53, 78–93, 117–31, 216–35.

de Bary, Theodore, et al, eds. Sources of Japanese Tradition: Volume One: 123–74, 205–37.

Schopen, Gregory. Bones, Stones, and Buddhist Monks: Collected Papers on the Archeology, Epigraphy, and Texts of

Monastic Buddhism in India: 1–22.

Gómez, Luis. “Unspoken Paradigms: Meanderings through the Metaphors of a Field.” JIABS 18/2: 183–229.

EncyclopediaEncyclopediaEncyclopediaEncyclopedia Articles Articles Articles Articles

Robert Buswell, ed. Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Macmillan Reference, 2003). Access the contents of the e-book

version online via UF library’s catalogue.

Cox, “Abhidharma”: 1–7.

Bechert, “Buddha, Life of the”: 82–88

Silk, “Buddhist Studies”: 94–101

Harrison, “Canon”: 111–15

Lachman, “Chan Art”: 125–30

Rhie, “China, Buddhist Art in”: 145–54

4 Poceski—Buddhist Texts Syllabus

Whitfield, “Dunhuang”: 240–41

Anderson, “Four Noble Truths”: 295–98

Poceski, “Huayan jing”: 340–41

Poceski, “Huayan School”: 341–47

Cohen, “India”: 352–60

Bielefeldt, “Japan”: 384–91

Keel, “Korea”: 430–35

Cox, “Mainstream Buddhist Schools”: 501–07

Sparham, “Sangha”: 740–44

Davidson & Orzech, “Tantra”: 820–26

Crosby, “Theravāda”: 836–41

Davidson, “Tibet”: 851–59

Further Further Further Further ReadingsReadingsReadingsReadings

In the seminar we will not be going over basic Buddhist concepts and doctrines. Depending on their level of

preparation in the field of Buddhist studies, students might need to do additional reading on their own. The

following list contains sample works that provide basic information about Buddhist terms, doctrines, historical

developments, and the like, in addition to the aforementioned Encyclopedia of Buddhism.

Ch’en, Kenneth. Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey.

Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History, and Practices.

Jones, Lindsay, ed. Encyclopedia of Religion.

Mizuno, Kogen. Basic Buddhist Concepts.

GradingGradingGradingGrading

• The final grade will be based on the course requirements.

• Grades will be computed on this scale: A = 100–91%; B+ = 90.5–87%; B = 86.5–81%; C+ = 80.5–77%; C =

76.5–71%; D+ = 70.5–67%; D = 66.5–60.5%; E = 60% or less.

Written Assignments Written Assignments Written Assignments Written Assignments

• All written assignments must be typewritten and follow standard academic format.

• The length of the final research paper should be 14–16 pages (double spacing). More information about the

paper will be given in class.

• The bibliography should contain at least 25 titles of academic publications pertinent to the student’s research

topic.

• When a student is responsible for leading a weekly discussion, he/she will also have to prepare a 2–3 page

summary of the assigned reading(s) and distribute copies of it to everybody in class.

• A hard copy of each written assignment must be submitted in class on the due date, at the latest. Students can

also leave their papers in the instructor’s mailbox at the Dept. of Religion office any time prior to the deadline.

• No late submissions will be accepted under any circumstances, and no other form of submission, such as

emailing a paper, is acceptable.

• Students are welcome to bring early drafts of their papers and ask for feedback/advice during the office hours.

AttendanceAttendanceAttendanceAttendance

• Attendance is mandatory for all students, starting with the first day of classes. Students who have problems

with class attendance or punctuality should think twice before enrolling in this course.

• Valid excuses for missed classes must be submitted in writing and in a timely manner, along with pertinent

documentation (such as note from a doctor). Written excuses for planned absences (such as participation in

athletic meetings or religious observances, for example) must be submitted in advance.

• Excessive absences from class will have adverse effect on the final grade. Student can miss up to three (3) hours

(regardless of whether they are excusable or not) without any penalty. Each subsequent unexcused hour will

lead to a 2% reduction of the final grade.

• Coming late, leaving early, being inattentive, and other forms of disruptive behavior can be counted as

unexcused absences.

5 Poceski—Buddhist Texts Syllabus

ExtracurricularExtracurricularExtracurricularExtracurricular

� The assigned readings and other seminar requirements, as described in this syllabus, are a basic minimum.

Students are encouraged to take personal initiative to further broaden their knowledge and improve their

academic skills by doing additional readings, including materials written in Asian languages pertinent to their

area of research, and by initiating further discussions with other graduate students and Asian religions faculty.

Other NoticesOther NoticesOther NoticesOther Notices

• A student who has a disability that may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class

requirements should consult the instructor so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Note that the

student is responsible for communicating his/her needs to the instructor.

• Plagiarism and cheating will result in a failing grade and other serious penalties. For more information, see the

“Academic Honesty—Student Guide” brochure, posted online by the Dean of Students Office at

http://www.dso.ufl.edu/Academic_Honesty.html.

• Registration in this course implies that each student enters a contractual agreement with the instructor,

whereas he/she is accountable for fulfilling all course requirements and adhering to the course policies.

Students are responsible for knowing and following all schedules and instructions contained in this syllabus, as

well as any other instructions given in class (remember, attendance is required, not optional). Any questions

about the course requirements or any aspect of the coursework should be resolved by consulting the instructor.

“The perfect and sudden practice of calmness and insight from the very beginning takes the true nature of reality as its object; being identical with the mean, within it there is nothing that is not true reality. When one’s mind connects with the realm of reality and the realm of reality is present within a single thought, then there is no sight or smell that is not the middle way. The realm of self, the realm of Buddhas, and the realm of living creatures are all also like that…. There is only one unadulterated reality, and there is nothing outside of that reality. That the nature of all things is quiescent is called calmness; that things are quiescent and yet illuminated is called insight.”

––Guanding’s (561–632) preface to Zhiyi’s Great Calmness and Insight