Course Outline: ME6215 Chinese Buddhist Thought: A Historical Perspective, 2011/2012, Semester 1

Basic Data
Program: 
Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
First Semester (July 11 – November 12, 2011) Academic year 2011/2012
Subject: 
CB6215/ME6215 - Chinese Buddhist Thought: A Historical Perspective
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Elective subject
Recommended Texts: 
  • Beal, Samuel. Buddhism in China. North Stratford, NH: Ayer, Incorporated, 1977. Print.
  • Fung, Yu-Lan. A Short History of Chinese Philosophy. Ed. Derk Bodde. New York: Macmillan, 1966. Print.
  • Gregory, Peter N., and Daniel A. Getz Jr., eds. Buddhism in the Sung. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1999. Print.
  • Junjiro, Takakusu. The Essentials of Buddhist Philosophy. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2002. Print.
  • Ch’en, Kenneth. Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University, 1964. Print.
  • _____. The Chinese Transformation of Buddhism. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University, 1973. Print.
  • Lai, Karyn L. An Introduction to Chinese Philosophy. New York: Cambridge University, 2008. Print.
  • Nagao, Gadjin M. Mādhyamaka and Yogācāra. Tran. L. Kawamura. Delhi: n.p., 1992. Print.
  • Tang, Yi-Jie. Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, Christianity, and Chinese culture. Washington: The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, 1991. Print.
  • Weinstein, Stanley. Buddhism under the T’ang. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University, 1987. Print.
  • Yu, Chun-fang. The Renewal of Buddhism in China: Chu-hung and the Late Ming Synthesis. New York and London: Columbia University, 1981. Print.
  • Zürcher, Erik. The Buddhist Conquest of China: The Spread and Adaptation of Buddhism in Early Medieval China. 2 vols. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 1959. Print.

Books with Open License:

  • Beal, S. Buddhism in China. London: n.p., 1884. Print.
  • Edkins, Joseph. Chinese Buddhism Historical, Descriptive and Critical. London: n.p., 1879. Print.

Weekly Reading Articles:

  • Fung, Yu-Lan. “The Spirit of Chinese Philosophy,” A Short History of Chinese Philosophy. Ed. Derk Bodde. New York: Macmillan, 1966. pp1-15. Print.
  • Fung, Yu-Lan. “The Foundation of Chinese Buddhism,” A Short History of Chinese Philosophy. Ed. Derk Bodde. New York: Macmillan, 1966. pp1-15. Print.
  • Inada, Kenneth K. “The Chinese Doctrinal Acceptance of Buddhism.” Journal of Chinese Philosophy, vol 24:1 (1991), PP. 5-17. Print.
  • Liebenthal, Walter. "Chinese Buddhism During the 4th and 5th Centuries." Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 11, No. 1. (1955), pp. 44-83. Print.
  • Shohei, Ichimura. "On the Paradoxical Method of the Chinese Mādhyamika: Seng-chao and the Chao-lun Treatise." Journal of Chinese Philosophy 19 (1992): 51-71. Print.
  • Chisho Mamoru, Namai “On Mantranaya.” Web. 17, Sept. 2011. Web.
Course Organization: 

The course will be taught according the following topics, each session one topic. It is a traditional lecture based course, however students are encouraged to ask questions in the class.

  • 1.Introduction of Buddhism into China
  • 2.Dao An and early translators
  • 3.Prajñā School and Meditation practice
  • 4.Kumārajīva and San Lun School
  • 5.Early Pure Land and Chan School
  • 6.Zhiyi and Tian Tai School
  • 7.Threefold truth in Tian Tai
  • 8.Hua Yan School
  • 9.Hua Yan major doctrines
  • 10.Xuan Zang and Fa Xiang School
  • 11.Fa Xiang Teachings
  • 12.Chan School
  • 13.Pure Land School
  • 14.Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty
  • 15.Tai Xu Reform Buddhism
  • 16.Review
Course Requirements: 

Students require reading the assigned textbook before joining the class (weekly reading assignment will be given in the class). One essay (around 5-7 pages, double space with footnotes and bibliography) and one presentation are required. The presentation will be 10 minutes. After presentation there will be question and answer session. Each student must ask at least one question after presentation. For essay writing guide, read my article online at: http://ibc.ac.th/faqing/essayguide

Allocation of Marks: 
  • Short Essay/Book Review 10%
  • Presentation 10%
  • One Essay 20%
  • Final written exam 60%
Course Objectives: 

Upon completion of this course the student will:

  • 1.Understand the major teaching and practice in different Chinese Buddhist Schools.
  • 2.Understand the essential history and major issues of Chinese Buddhism.
  • 3.Understand the historical context and the significance of each Chinese Schools.
  • 4.Be able to write academic essay and present ideas critically.
Grading: 

All tests, assignments and examinations are graded as follows with grade point and numerical marks:

Grade Performance Grade value Percentage Equivalence
A Excellent 4.0 90-100
B+ Very Good 3.5 80-89
B Good 3.0 70-79
C+ Fairly Good 2.5 60-69
C Fair 2.0 50-59
D+ Poor 1.5 40-49
D Very Poor 1.0 30-39
F Fail 0.0 29 or less
I Incomplete
W Withdrawn
WF Withdrawn because of failure
AU Audit