Overview
The history, doctrines, and practices of Chan Buddhism in China and Zen Buddhism in Japan. Zen practices, as meditation and koan, and the encounter with the "West".
This course is an overview of the advent and development of Zen (Chinese: Chan 禪), a form of Buddhism centered on the practice of meditation. Using both primary and secondary sources, we cover the premodern origins of Buddhist meditation in India, the institutionalisation of Chan in China, and its
subsequent transnational journey throughout Japan, East Asia and the world. We consider the influence of Zen on the modern mindfulness movement and on widespread secular interest in meditation and wellness.
Major subthemes include the question of religious experience; history and genealogy; Zen theories of language; Zen modernism and its influence in psychology, neuroscience and medicine. Throughout the course, we highlight the continual processes of translation, change and adaptation that have characterised Zen Buddhism since its beginning.
About this paper
| Paper title | Zen Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Subject | Religious Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2024 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $981.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 18 200-level RELS or RELX points
- Restriction
- RELS 216, RELX 216, RELX 316
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Notes
- (i) May not be credited together with RELS231 or RELS331 passed in 2008. (ii) Students who have not passed the normal prerequisite may be admitted with approval from the Head of Department.
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
This class covers the following topics:
- Zen religious experience
- History and genealogy
- Zen theories of language
- Zen modernism and its influence in psychology, neuroscience and medicine
The assessment at 300-level has four components:
- Weekly Reflections 20%
- Essay 1 20%
- Essay 2 (2,000 words) 25%
- Exam (three hours) 35%
- Teaching Arrangements
The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.
Campus: Weekly lectures
Distance: Online discussion- Textbooks
- A coursebook has been developed for this paper.
- Course outline
- View the sample course outline for RELS 316
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- 300-level students who successfully complete the paper will be
- Able to demonstrate knowledge of terminology, key theories and debates that lie behind contemporary literature on Zen Buddhism
- Able to explore, through critical analysis, the history and development of Zen Buddhism
- Familiar with theories of and critical approaches to Zen Buddhism
- Able to develop creative and critical approaches by analysing texts and primary sources
- Able to present an extended analysis in essay form using appropriate literature on a chosen topic
Timetable
Overview
The history, doctrines, and practices of Chan Buddhism in China and Zen Buddhism in Japan. Zen practices, as meditation and koan, and the encounter with the "West".
This course is an overview of the advent and development of Zen (Chinese: Chan 禪), a form of Buddhism centered on the practice of meditation. Using both primary and secondary sources, we cover the premodern origins of Buddhist meditation in India, the institutionalisation of Chan in China, and its
subsequent transnational journey throughout Japan, East Asia and the world. We consider the influence of Zen on the modern mindfulness movement and on widespread secular interest in meditation and wellness.
Major subthemes include the question of religious experience; history and genealogy; Zen theories of language; Zen modernism and its influence in psychology, neuroscience and medicine. Throughout the course, we highlight the continual processes of translation, change and adaptation that have characterised Zen Buddhism since its beginning.
About this paper
| Paper title | Zen Buddhism |
|---|---|
| Subject | Religious Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2025 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2025 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 18 200-level RELS or RELX points
- Restriction
- RELS 216, RELX 216, RELX 316
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Notes
- (i) May not be credited together with RELS231 or RELS331 passed in 2008. (ii) Students who have not passed the normal prerequisite may be admitted with approval from the Head of Department.
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
This class covers the following topics:
- Zen religious experience
- History and genealogy
- Zen theories of language
- Zen modernism and its influence in psychology, neuroscience and medicine
The assessment at 300-level has four components:
- Weekly Reflections 20%
- Essay 1 20%
- Essay 2 (2,000 words) 25%
- Exam (three hours) 35%
- Teaching Arrangements
The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.
Campus: Weekly lectures
Distance: Online discussion- Textbooks
- A coursebook has been developed for this paper.
- Course outline
- View the sample course outline for RELS 316
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- 300-level students who successfully complete the paper will be
- Able to demonstrate knowledge of terminology, key theories and debates that lie behind contemporary literature on Zen Buddhism
- Able to explore, through critical analysis, the history and development of Zen Buddhism
- Familiar with theories of and critical approaches to Zen Buddhism
- Able to develop creative and critical approaches by analysing texts and primary sources
- Able to present an extended analysis in essay form using appropriate literature on a chosen topic