| Unit name | Zen Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS30060 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lomi |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Zen is probably the best known yet most often misrepresented Buddhist tradition. We may be familiar with the term Zen and associate it with a type of mediation, specific cultural and artistic practices, and even attitudes. But how do these images relate to different lived and practiced dimensions of Zen? How has this tradition shaped the lives of East Asian Buddhists? How has this tradition shaped the lives of East Asian Buddhists? How do we make sense of the profound influence it has come to have institutionally, doctrinally, but also practically on East Asiana Buddhist cultures?
This unit engages with these questions by examining the distinctive approaches to meditation, the transmission of Buddhist teachings, and the path to liberation developed by Zen thinkers and practitioners in the Sino-Japanese context. While adopting an historical approach, we will aim at uncovering the underlying conceptual, rhetorical, and soteriological issues that underpin Zen discourse whenever it has been used. In this respect, we will explore how Zen has been practiced as a form of Buddhist monasticism, as well as how the living realities of Zen practice and monasticism relate to its discourse and rhetoric, through a close readings and discussion of key scholarship and primary sources in translation.
In this regard, we will pay attention to two key elements of Zen: its ritual practices and its socially engaged dimension. Although Zen writings often claims the tradition dispenses with outer ritual in favour of an inner transformation of the mind, in practice Zen monasticism is an extremely conservative, rigid, and ritualistic form of Buddhism. Furthermore, we will consider Zen monastic engagements with activities aimed at benefiting society at large, from healing practices and funerary activities to pastoral care.
This will stimulate us to consider whether there is any way for us to make sense of the seeming discrepancy between Zen discourse and Zen practices, and to reflect on the way “Zen” has been construed and, to some extent, constructed in in the course of its history.
The class is open to all RETH students interested in learning about Zen, meditation, Buddhism and East Asian religions. There are no formal prerequisites, although students will benefit if they have taken the first-year unit Living Religions East, as well as other Asian religion units taught in the department of Religion and Theology.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Specialist subject options are offered in the third year of the Religion and Theology programmes. It is standard practice for single honours students to take two specialist options in each of those years (one per TB), and for joint honours students to take two. Specialist subject options are available to students on Liberal Arts programmes and are also available to taught postgraduates (MA Buddhist Studies, MA Theology and Religious Studies). The portfolio of units available will change from year to year based on staff availability, but it will consistently represent a full range of research strengths across the Theology department, as well as demonstrating our commitment to supporting choice and providing increased optionality as students progress through their programme.
An overview of content
This unit focuses on the key teachings and historical developments of Chan/Zen Buddhism, and specifically on the key features of the Zen approach to Buddhism, meditation, the transmission of Buddhist teachings, and the path to liberation. We will read key sources in translation, leading scholarship, and watch thought-provoking documentaries.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
As Goso said, “To give an example, it is like a buffalo passing through a window. Its head, horns, and four legs have all passed through. Why is it that its tail cannot?”
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
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.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
1 x presentation (10%) [ILOs 1-4].
1x 1500 word portfolio (30%) [ILOs 1-3; 5].
1 X 3000-word summative essay (60%) [ILOs 1-3; 5-6].
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRS30060).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
