Unit Outline

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.

The purpose of this unit is to provide students with an opportunity for interdisciplinary study within the Philosophy Program, consistent with the Bachelor of Arts education rationale. The intermediate unit focuses on the Philosophical aspects of Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, aiming to expose students to critical philosophical theories and concepts relevant to the study of East Asian philosophical texts. The unit will facilitate the development of knowledge and philosophical skills necessary for an Arts graduate. By studying this unit, you will be able to consolidate your Asian philosophy into a formal and interdisciplinary pattern of study.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


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

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Based upon the results of previous units this unit will institute a new assessment policy that will

allow students to receive feedback for their major assignment before they submit the final

essay. This will guarantee that students are well-equipped to do well in their major assessments.

Also, based on feedback from students as well as consultation within the department, it has

been decided that this unit will implement a take-home exam to replace the previously timed

exam.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Assessment Task 4: Final take-home exam	Exam Period	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Assessment Task 2: MyLO Quizzes	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Assessment Task 1: Tutorial participation/online discussion	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Assessment Task 3: Major assignment	Refer to Assessment Description	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assessment Task 4: Final take-home exam

Task Description:

You will be asked to write two (2) short essays on topics you select from the materials covered from the mid to the latter part of the semester – Week 7 to Week 13. The two take-home exam questions will be released on Week 13 and you will have two weeks to complete the questions. Take-home exams are to be submitted electronically only and should be uploaded to Dropbox on MyLO.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Exam Period (12/Jun/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Understand the positions and arguments relevant to the chosen question	LO1
2	Critically assess arguments and analyse their implications	LO2
3	Develop a considered opinion, dealing with likely objections	LO3
4	Meeting the communicative goals: responding to the exact task, writing clearly, structuring your work and referencing properly	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Assessment Task 2: MyLO Quizzes

Task Description:

You will be given ten (10) weekly Quizzes, and your best five (5) quiz results will contribute to your final score of 15%. All quizzes will be available on our unit’s MyLO site starting at 9 am on Monday. Each Quiz will consist of two (2) questions, each worth five (0.5) points. You will be given a maximum of two (2) attempts at the Quiz. You will need to save your answers and successfully submit the quiz. If you make two attempts at the Quiz, your highest Quiz score will apply.

Just so you know, this Quiz is designed to help you assess YOUR knowledge of the topics you have studied in your weekly readings. You should do the relevant readings to complete the Quiz, which must be done without the assistance of others.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Understand the arguments and ideas presented in unit readings	LO1
2	Evaluate the cogency of philosophical arguments	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Assessment Task 1: Tutorial participation/online discussion

Task Description:

Throughout the semester, beginning week 2, you will be expected to constructively participate in the ongoing philosophical discussions in seminars and tutorials or online discussion boards. Before attending or contributing each week, read the set readings and consider them carefully. During the class or weekly discussion, we expect you to engage with other members of the class in constructive critical analysis relating to the readings and general themes of the unit.
On-campus students must attend weekly 1.5-hour face-to-face tutorials.
Off-campus students must contribute weekly 1.5 hours of online discussion posts.
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.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically analyse the set readings	LO1, LO3
2	Present your own thoughts in relation to the philosophical ideas considered in the readings	LO2, LO3
3	Constructively engage with the philosophical thoughts of other students	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Assessment Task 3: Major assignment

Task Description:

Major Assignment

For the major assessment, you will be required to write an essay on a topic you choose from (6) six different questions that cover the first half of the unit, from Week 1 to Week 7.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description (10/Apr/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Understand the positions and arguments relevant to the chosen question	LO1
2	Critically assess arguments and analyse their implications	LO2
3	Develop a considered opinion, dealing with likely objections	LO3
4	Meeting the communicative goals: responding to the exact task, writing clearly, structuring your work and referencing properly	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

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 Tripiṭaka 25–I, 25–V, 25–VI, 29–I, 104–VI. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

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

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

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

———. Shōbōgenzō: The True Dharma-Eye Treasury.\ Vol. IV. Translated by Gudō Nishijima and Chodo Cross. BDK English Tripiṭaka Series. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2007.

Dōgen, Gudō Nishijima, and Chodo Cross. Shōbōgenzō: The True Dharma-Eye Treasury Voi. III. BDK English Tripiṭaka 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 Tripiṭaka 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.” In Zen Texts, edited by Peixiu, translated by John R. McRae, 3–9. BDK English Tripiṭaka 73–III, 98–VIII, 98–IX, 104–I. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

Huineng, Tsung-pao, and John R. McRae. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch . BDK English Tripiṭaka 73–II. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2000.

Jōkin, Keizan. “Advice on the Practice of Zazen.” In Zen Texts, translated by Steven Heine, 259–63. BDK English Tripiṭaka 73–III, 98–VIII, 98–IX, 104–I. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

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

Kuiji. A Comprehensive Commentary on the Heart Sutra | BDK America. Translated by Shih Heng-ching and Dan Lusthaus. BDK America, Inc, 2001. https://www.bdkamerica.org/book/comprehensive-commentary-heart-sutra.

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

McRae, John R., ed. Zen Texts. BDK English Tripiṭaka 73–III, 98–VIII, 98–IX, 104–I. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

Norden, Bryan W. Van, and Philip J. Ivanhoe. Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy, Second Edition. Second Edition,2 edition. Hackett Publishing Co., 2011.

Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, ed. “The Bequeathed Teaching Sutra.” In Apocryphal Scriptures, 3–5. BDK English Tripiṭaka 25–I, 25–V, 25–VI, 29–I, 104–VI. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2005.

Pine, Red. The Diamond Sutra The Perfection of Wisdom Text and Commentaries. 2002nd ed. Counterpoint, 2009.

Subul, Seon Master. A Bird in Flight Leaves No Trace: The Zen Teaching of Huangbo with a Modern Commentary. Wisdom Publications, 2019.

Taishi, Shōtoku. Expository Commentary on the Vimalakīrti Sutra: Taishō Volume 56, Number 2186. Translated by Jamie Hubbard. BDK English Tripiṭaka Series. Berkeley: Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai America, Inc, 2012.

Van Norden, Bryan W. Introduction to classical Chinese philosophy. UK: Hacket Publishing Co., 2011. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10594389.

Write, S. Dale. Philosophical Meditations on Zen Buddhism. Cambridge University Press, 2000. https://www.booktopia.com.au/philosophical-meditations-on-zen-buddhism-dale-s-wright/book/9780521789844.html.

Yixuan, Huikai, Sengcan, and Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, eds. Three Chan Classics: The Recorded Sayings of Linji. Wumen’s Gate. The Faith-Mind Maxim. BDK English Tripiṭaka 74–I, II, III. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1999.

Yuanwu, Xuedou, and Thomas F. Cleary. The Blue Cliff Record. BDK English Tripiṭaka 75. Berkeley, Calif: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1998.