Zen

Fall '03

Crispin Sartwell

717 227 1902

c.sartwell@verizon.net

office: Bunting 432

Required texts

Douglas Harding, On Having No Head

Nelson Foster and Jack Shoemaker (eds.), The Roaring Stream: A New Zen Reader

Gustie Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement

'Zen' is a Japanese term, but the movement emerged as Ch'an in China, starting in the fifth or sixth century A.D. Originally a synthesis of Chinese Taoism and Indian Buddhism, Ch'an stripped both traditions to their essences, and emphasized simplicity, paradox, and the possibility of sudden enlightenment. It soon spread to Korea, Vietnam, and elsewhere, and is practiced at this point by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. This semester we will read two fine treatments of the topic by westerners (Harding and Herrigel), as well as a host of classic texts by Chinese and Japanese masters.

Required work for the course will consist of weekly one-page essays about the readings, and longer (7-10 pp.) papers due at mid-term and at the end. Each piece will count a third toward your final grade, though I will also consider participation and improvement through the semester in assigning final grades. Any piece, including the weekly essays, may be re-written for a new grade.

Students with disabilities: please see me so that I can accommodate you.

I fail plagiarists.

Sept 5

Introduction: Lao Tzu and Buddha

Sept 12

Harding, pp. 23-63

Sept 19

Harding, pp. 65-123

Sept 26

Roaring Stream, pp. xiii-56

Oct 3

Roaring Stream, pp. 57-102

Oct 10

Lin-chi (Rinzai), handout

Oct 17

Yun-men (Ummon), handout

Oct 25

Roaring Stream, pp.103-201

mid-term project due

Oct 31

Roaring Stream, pp. 205-238

Nov 7

Roaring Stream, pp. 239-273

November 14

Roaring Stream, pp. 274-295

Nov 21

Roaring Stream, pp. 296-350

December 5

Herrigel, pp. 1-48

December 12

Herrigel, pp. 49-124

Dec 19

Conclusion

final project due.