JPN313 Introduction into Religions in Japan

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Zuzana Kubovčáková, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Zuzana Kubovčáková, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 16:00–17:40 B2.13, except Mon 13. 11.
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! JAP216 Religions in Japan && !NOWANY( JAP216 Religions in Japan )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course named Introduction into Religion in Japan is a general introduction into history and development of religion in Japan. Various religious traditions that have found its way into Japan and have affected the shaping of distinct Japanese religious thought shall be addressed throughout the course. The primal objective of the course shall be the individual growth and mutual development between Shinto and Buddhism in course of Japanese history.
Learning outcomes
After a successful completion of the course, student will be able to:
- distinguish between the various religious traditions in Japan;
- critically analyze specific Japanese religious phenomena;
- identify the founders of Japanese Buddhist schools;
- identify fundamental characteristics of Japanese religious traditions;
- identify basic objects and architectural monuments related to Japanese religiosity.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introductory class -- Terminology and Course Schedule
  • 2. Shinto -- Definition, Concepts, and Terminology
  • 3. Earliest Japanese Religious Thought
  • 4. Shinto and Imperial Mythologies
  • 5. Historical background of Shinto Emergence
  • 6. Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism – Ideas, Texts, and Terminology
  • 7. State Buddhism in Asuka and Nara periods
  • 8. Popular Buddhism in Heian and Kamakura periods
  • 9. Lotus Sutra
  • 10. Esoteric Buddhism -- Deities and Rituals
  • 11. Shinto-Buddhist Interaction
  • 12. Selected Examples of Buddhist Art and Architecture in Japan
Literature
    required literature
  • Earhart, Byron H. (1999), Náboženství Japonska. Mnoho tradic na jedné svaté cestě, Praha: Prostor.
  • Fiala, Karel, (2012), Kodžiki: Kronika dávného Japonska, Praha: ExOriente.
  • BOWRING, Richard John. The religious traditions of Japan, 500-1600. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005, xvi, 485. ISBN 052185119X. info
    recommended literature
  • BREEN, John and M. J. TEEUWEN. A new history of Shinto. 1st pub. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, x, 264. ISBN 9781405155168. info
  • Nanzan guide to Japanese religions. Edited by Paul L. Swanson - Clark Chilson. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2006, xii, 466. ISBN 0824830024. info
  • A history of Japanese religion. Edited by Kazuo Kasahara, Translated by Paul McCarthy - Gaynor Sekimori. 1st English ed. Tokyo: Kosei Publishing, 2001, 648 s. ISBN 4333019176. info
  • Shinto in history : ways of the Kami. Edited by John Breen - M. J. Teeuwen. 1st pub. Surrey: Curzon, 2000, xii, 368. ISBN 0700711724. info
  • BLACKER, Carmen. The catalpa bow : a study of Shamanistic practices in Japan. London: Routledge, 1999, 384 s. ISBN 1873410859. info
  • Nihongi : chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697. Edited by Terence Barrow, Translated by W. G. Aston. 11th print. Rutland: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1998, xxii, iv. ISBN 0804809844. info
  • TANABE, George Joji. Practically religious : worldly benefits and the common religion of Japan. Edited by Ian Reader. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998, xii, 303. ISBN 0824820908. info
  • The Kojiki : records of ancient matters. Edited by W. G. Aston, Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain. 2nd ed. Tokyo: Tuttle, 1982, lxxxv, 489. ISBN 9784805310762. info
    not specified
  • Readings of the Platform sūtra. Edited by Morten Schlütter - Stephen F. Teiser. New York: Columbia University Press, 2012, ix, 220. ISBN 9780231500555. info
  • Readings of the Lotus Sūtra. Edited by Stephen F. Teiser - Jacqueline Ilyse Stone. New York: Columbia University Press, 2009, xi, 284. ISBN 9780231142885. info
  • SADAKATA, Akira. Buddhist cosmology : philosophy and origins. Edited by Hajime Nakamura, Translated by Gaynor Sekimori. 1st English ed. Tokyo: Kōsei, 1997, 223 s. ISBN 9784333016822. info
  • SASO, Michael. Tantric art and meditation : the Tendai tradition. Honolulu: Tendai Educational Foundation, 1990, xvi, 96. ISBN 0824813634. info
  • YAMASAKI, Taikō. Shingon : Japanese esoteric Buddhism. Edited by Yasuyoshi Morimoto - David Kidd - Richard Peterson - Cynthia Peterson. 1st ed. Boston: Shambhala, 1988, xviii, 244. ISBN 0877734437. info
  • Zen : tradition and transition. Edited by Kenneth Kraft. New York: Grove, 1988, ix, 230. ISBN 9780802131621. info
Teaching methods
The course is structured as a combination of lectures and pictorial presentations of audio-visual material related to the subject.
Assessment methods
Written test (multiple choice questions with one correct answer, a minimum of 70% correct answers is required to pass the test). A successful passing of the test is the sole criteria for assessment of the course.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Předmět je určen i pro studenty mimo mateřské obory.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
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