Courses & Units

Zen and Tao: East Asian Philosophy HPA234

Introduction

This unit will discuss the doctrines and concepts central to two different, but related traditions: Zen Buddhism and Taoism. It will examine the historical rise and development of these traditions through a critical study of the classics of Bodhidharma, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu and Dogen. The unit also explores the philosophical and the intellectual roots and phases of Zen - from India to China to Japan - and Taoism - from the early Taoists and the recluses to Lao Tzu and on to Chuang Tzu and the Neo-Taoists - and their relations to other traditions such as Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism, as well as to each other.

Summary

Unit name Zen and Tao: East Asian Philosophy
Unit code HPA234
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Arts, Law and Education
School of Humanities
Discipline Philosophy and Gender Studies
Coordinator Doctor Sonam Thakchoe
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Intermediate

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 1 On-Campus International Domestic
Launceston Semester 1 On-Campus International Domestic
Online Semester 1 Off-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Note

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Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 26/2/2024 22/3/2024 15/4/2024 2/6/2024

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development, methodology and philosophical positions within Daoism and East Asian Buddhism.
  • Critically analyse philosophical and phenomenological positions and arguments discussed throughout the unit.
  • Develop your own philosophical position, construct an argument to defend that position and to identify and address challenges to your own position.
  • Communicate both verbally and in writing using philosophical language and academic style.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
091701 $2,040.00 $957.00 not applicable $2,040.00

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

On Campus
Weekly online lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly tutorials (1.5 hours). 

Weekly face-face Tutorials: 

Day:            Wednesday

Time:          2.00 pm to 3.30 pm

Venue:        Physics 218 Seminar (Hobart Campus)   Interactive Learning -Broadcast (Launceston Campus)

 

Off-Campus
Weekly online lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly participation in online discussions

You are encouraged to contribute or participate by way of responding, commenting, objecting to weekly readings, or other posts, or by way of introducing new posts critically summarising key

arguments in weekly readings, asking pertinent questions and drawing out implications.

AssessmentAssessment Task 1: Tutorial participation/online discussion (15%)|Assessment Task 2: MyLO Quizzes (15%)|Assessment Task 3: Major assignment (35%)|Assessment Task 4: Final take-home exam (35%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required Reading Lists

Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website; alternatively, look for weekly readings in MyLO site.

Bielefeldt, Carl. Dogen’s Manuals of Zen Meditation. University of California, 1988.

Broughton, L. Jeffrey. THE BODHIDHARMA ANTHOLOGY.The Earliest Records of Zen. Berkeley, Calif: University of California, 1999.

Chuangzi. “Chuangzi.” In Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy, edited by P. J. Ivanhoe and Bryan W. Van Norden, 2nd ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub, 2005.

Cleary, J. C., and Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, trans. Apocryphal Scriptures. BDK English Tripi¿aka 25–I, 25–V, 25–VI, 29–I, 104–VI. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

Dogen. “A Universal Recommendation for True Zazen.” In Zen Texts, translated by Osamu Yoshida, 241–51. BDK English Tripi¿aka 73–III, 98–VIII, 98–IX, 104–I. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

———. Shobogenzo: The True Dharma-Eye Treasury Vo. II. Translated by Gudo Nishijima and Chodo Cross. Vol. II. IV vols. BDK English Tripi¿aka Series. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2007.

———. Shobogenzo: The True Dharma-Eye Treasury Vol. I. Translated by Gudo Nishijima and Chodo Cross. Vol. I. IV vols. BDK English Tripi¿aka Series. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2007.

———. Shobogenzo: The True Dharma-Eye Treasury.\ Vol. IV. Translated by Gudo Nishijima and Chodo Cross. BDK English Tripi¿aka Series. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2007.

Dogen, Gudo Nishijima, and Chodo Cross. Shobogenzo: The True Dharma-Eye Treasury Voi. III. BDK English Tripi¿aka Series. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2007.

Eisai. “A Treatise on Letting Zen Flourish to Protect the State.” In Zen Texts, translated by Gishin Tokiwa, 5–45. BDK English Tripi¿aka 73–III, 98–VIII, 98–IX, 104–I. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

Graham, A. C. Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China. Open Court, 2015.

Grant, Beata, and Susan Moon. Zen Echoes: Classic Koans with Verse Commentaries by Three Female Chan Masters. Wisdom Publications, 2017.

Hakuin. The Zen Master Hakuin: Selected Writings. Records of Civilization, Sources and Studies, no. 86. New York: Columbia University Press, 1971.

Huangbo, Xiyun. “Essentials of the Transmission of Mind.”

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