JAP116 Japanese Buddhism

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Zuzana Kubovčáková, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Luboš Bělka, CSc.
Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 C33
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
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course is aimed at a thorough overview of introduction and development of the teaching of Buddhism in Japan, starting with the period of its arrival onto the Japanese archipelago until the modern period. Throughout the course we will deal with the various schools of Japanese Buddhism and their influence in social and political fields, attention will as well be given to the most prominent figures and founders of the various schools of Japanese Buddhism. The entire course will be framed upon the perspective of the established schools of the Japanese historical capitals.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- distinguish between the various schools of Buddhism in Japan
- understand the historical developments and relations between Japanese Buddhist schools
- interpret the fundaments of religion and philosophy in the background of the established Japanese Buddhist schools
- distinguish the main personages of Japanese Buddhism
- understand Japanese Buddhist geography
Syllabus
  • Introduction of the structure of the course
  • Indigenous Japanese belief in kami
  • Buddhism of the Nara period
  • Buddhism of the Heian period
  • Established Buddhism vs. kami belief
  • Popular Buddhism of the Kamakura period
  • Zen
  • Esoterization of Japanese Buddhist schools
  • Religion of the Tokugawa period
  • Women in Japanese Buddhism
  • Christianity in Japan
Literature
    required literature
  • Kazuo Kasahara (2001) A History of Japanese Religion. Tokyo: Kosei Publishing.
  • Bowring Richard (2005) The Religious Traditions of Japan, 500-1600. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Sources of Japanese tradition. Edited by William Theodore De Bary - Yoshiko Kurata Dykstra. 2nd ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 2001, xxvi, 524. ISBN 023112984X. info
  • EARHART, H. Byron. Náboženství Japonska : mnoho tradic na jedné svaté cestě. V českém jazyce vyd. 2. Praha: Prostor, 1999, 189 s. ISBN 8072600001. info
    recommended literature
  • Matsunaga Alicia, Matsunaga Daigan (1996) Foundations of Japanese Buddhism, Vol.1&Vol.2. Los Angeles: Buddhist Books International.
  • Tanabe George (1999) Religions of Japan in Practice. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  • De Barry, Hakeda, Yampolsky et. als. (1969) The Buddhist Tradition in India, China & Japan. New York: Modern Library.
  • WILLIAMS, Paul. Mahāyāna Buddhism : the doctrinal foundations. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2009, xi, 438. ISBN 9780415356534. 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
  • BLACKER, Carmen. The catalpa bow : a study of Shamanistic practices in Japan. London: Routledge, 1999, 384 s. ISBN 1873410859. info
Teaching methods
Lecture combined with class discussion, individual class preparation based on recommended literature.
Assessment methods
Written test (multiple choice questions with one correct answer, a minimum of 70% right answers is required to pass the test). A successful passing of the test is the sole criteria for assessment of the subject.
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.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2019/JAP116