RELS5118

Studies on Chinese Buddhism

First Semester 2012/2013

Thursday, 19:00 21:30

Room 501, Yasumoto International Academic Park (Chung Chi College) Instructor: Dr Tong Sau Lin

Course Description This course attempts to provide a survey of the major developments in Chinese Buddhism through focusing on the process of sinicization, arranged chronologically. After an introductory part devoted to general issues related to early Chinese Buddhist translations and exegetical texts, the course focus on the Chinese mode of understanding and interpretation of Indian Buddhist doctrines. Crucial topics will include Geyi Buddhism, School of Nirvana, Tiantai School, Mind-only School, Huayan School, Chan Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism. In this investigation, doctrinal issues in some of the representative explanatory treatises written by Chinese Buddhist scholars will be featured through textual study of the selected literature. One of the aims of this course is to question how Chinese Buddhist thoughts and Chinese indigenous philosophies are closely interrelated within the specific context of Chinese culture and tradition. Course Content and Schedule Date Sep 13 (Week 1) Sep 20 (Week 2) Sep 27 (Week 3) Oct 4 (Week 4) Topics and Readings Characteristics of Chinese Buddhism Major developments of Chinese Buddhism (1) Chen, Kenneth K. S. (1964), Buddhism in China, a historical survey (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press), pp.21-53. Major developments of Chinese Buddhism (2) Early Development of Buddhism in China 89-97 273-285 --------------------- 159-194 Buddhist Schools in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589): (School of Nirvana)
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Oct 11 (Week 5)

 88-158 Oct 18 (Week 6) Oct 25 (Week 7) Nov 1 (Week 8) Nov 8 (Week 9) Sinicization of Buddhism -Tiantai School (1) Sinicization of Buddhism -Tiantai School (2) 192-252 Mind-only School (1) Mind-only School (2) Jeffrey Hopkins (2002), Reflections on reality: the three natures and non-natures in the mind-only school. (Berkeley: University of California Press) Nov 15 (Week 10) Nov 22 (Week 11) Nov 29 (Week 12) Dec 6 (Week 13) Sinicization of Buddhism Huayan School (1) Francis H. Cook (1977), Hua-yen Buddhism: The Jewel Net of Indra. (University Park : Pennsylvania State University Press), ch. 5, 6 Sinicization of Buddhism Huayan School (2) Class suspended (71st Congregation for the Conferment of Bachelors Degrees and Masters Degrees) Chan Buddhism Peter D. Hershock (2005), Chan Buddhism (Honolulu : University of Hawai'i Press) ,ch. 1, 2 Dec 13 (Week 14) Pure Land School ed. James Foard and others. (1996) The Pure Land Tradition: History and Development. (Berkeley: The Regents of the University of California), pp. 107-232 Learning Outcomes Knowledge outcomes
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By the end of the course, students will have basic understanding of sinicization of Chinese Buddhism; understand the ideas and ideals of the great Buddhist masters in ancient China. Skill outcomes Students will be able to develop skills in analytical reading, formal writing and critical thinking. Attitude outcomes Students will relate Buddhist concepts and persuasions to their ethical cultivation and views of life as well as to their coexistence with the nature. Learning Activities Students will read assigned readings before class meets. Lectures will include discussions of arguments from these writings. By the end of the term, students will write a term paper of substantial research of about 4000 to 5000 words. The student is free to select any topic he is interested, as long as it is relevant to course content. If he encounters any problems, or simply wants to seek suggestions, he is encouraged to discuss the matter with the instructor as early as possible. The term paper is due on 5:00 pm, Dec 20, 2012 and should be submitted via the VeriGuide (see details below) as well as in hard copy. Delayed submission of paper will result in grade deduction. Lecture (hr) in/out class 2.25 M NA M M: Mandatory Activity Assessment scheme Class attendance and participation in class Term paper 20% 80% Class Discussion Course Reading (hr) (hr) in/out class in/out class 0.25 O NA 3 M NA Term Paper (hr) in/out class 3 M NA: Not Applicable

O: Optional Activity

Feedback for Evaluation Throughout the course, students are welcome to give comments and feedback on class arrangement through emails or personal exchanges with the lecturer. Students are also invited to provide suggestions for enhancing teaching and learning effect, as well as reviews of their difficulties in taking the course. An end-of-term university-wide course evaluation will be conducted in class. Learning resources for students Basic readings 2010 2000 1995 1982 1978 1978 : 1994-1995 : 2010 2000 References Edins, Joseph. Chinese Buddhism. San Francisco: Chinese Material Center, 1976. Chen, Kenneth K.S. Buddhism in China. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1964. Chen, Kenneth K.S. Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1964. Francis H. Cook. Hua-yen Buddhism: The Jewel Net of Indra. University Park : Pennsylvania State University Press, 1977. Thomas Cleary. Entry into the inconceivable: an introduction to Hua-yen Buddhism. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press, 1983. Jeffrey Hopkins. Reflections on reality: the three natures and non-natures in the mind-only school. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002. Zrcher, Erik The Buddhist Conquest of China. The Spread and Adaptation of Buddhism in Early Medieval China, Leiden (Brill), 2 delen, vol. 1: Text, vol. 2: Notes, bibliography, indexes, Sinica Leidensia, vol. 11, 1959. Paul L. Swanson. Foundations of Tien-Tai philosophy : the flowering of the two truths theory in Chinese Buddhism. Berkeley, Calif. : Asian Humanities Press, 1989. Peter N. Gregory and Daniel A. Getz Jr. ed. Buddhism in the Sung. Honolulu :
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University of Hawai'i Press, 1999. Galen Amstutz. Interpreting Amida: History and Orientalism in the Study of Pure Land Buddhism. Albany: State University of New York, 1997. James Foard and others ed. The Pure Land Tradition: History and Development. Berkeley: The Regents of the University of California, 1996. Faure Bernard ed. Chan Buddhism in Ritual Context. New York: Routledge Curzon, 2003. Peter D. Hershock. Chan Buddhism. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2005. Lopez, Donald S. Jr. ed. Buddhism in Practice. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1995. 1986 1998 1998 1996 2006 2008 1999 : 1987 1995 1979 1992 1997 1962 1986 1998 1978 1993 2009 1978 2008 1999 1983 2007 1998 : 1997 Teachers Contact Details

Instructor: Dr Tong Sau Lin () (Department of Cultural and Religious Studies) Office: Room 306, Leung Kau Kui Building Email address: tongsaulin@hotmail.com Tel: 3943 4088 tongsaulin@gmail.com

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism The Chinese University of Hong Kong places very high importance on honesty in academic work submitted by students, and adopts a policy of zero tolerance on cheating and plagiarism. Student assignments should be submitted via VeriGuide: https://veriguide2.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/cuhk/ and hand in a print out of receipt and a signed Academic Honesty Declaration Statement. Relevant information on academic honesty and plagiarism can be allocated via: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/p10.htm