Graduate Institute

Eastern Classics Program
Fourth Preceptorial, Spring 2012: March 27- May 17 

Title: DOGEN

Tutor: Patricia Locke
Description: We will consider the philosophical, poetic and practical aspects of Dogen’s texts.  As a Zen master who deeply considered his Chinese Ch’an forebears, Dogen wrote poetry in Chinese as well as Japanese.  We will look at some of this work, in light of his paradoxical essays, but will give most of our attention to a slow reading of the essays.  What are the implications of sayings such as “practice zazen as though your hair is on fire”? 
Text:  Required:  The Heart of Dogen’s Shobogenzo, translated by Norman Waddell and Masao Abe.  NY: SUNY UP, 2002. And Moon in a Dewdrop: Writings of Zen Master Dogen, edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi. NY: North Point Press, 1995.
First Assignment: “On a Painting of a Rice-Cake,” (Gabyo).  Read the whole thing; we will devote the first two classes to it.

Title: Journey to the West, Translated by Anthony C. Yu, abridged as: The Monkey and the Monk.

Tutor: David Starr
Description: How did Buddhist Sutras get to China? This novel does not answer the question from an historical point of view, unless great sages who happen to be monkey kings and other talking animals are included in that perspective. The adventures of Monk Xuanzang and Monkey King Sun Wukong may nevertheless offer real insight into how China managed to assimilate the teachings of the Buddha, with the help of a dragon and a talking horse. 
Suggested Text: The Monkey and the Monk, University of Chicago Press (November 15, 2006)
First assignment: Chapters 1–3 (pages 1–50)