TBC 1801 Special Topic: Yijing, Daoism and Chan ()

Spring 2020

Instructor: Professor WEN Haiming Time: Monday 13:00 - 15:45; Tuesday 13:00 - 15:45 Venue: TBC Classroom 434 Email: [email protected] Credit Hours: 3.0

Course Description

This course covers the three branches of Chinese philosophy: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism through studying the Book of Change (Zhouyi 周易 or Yijing), Daodejing, and Chinese Buddhist . Yijing is normally considered to be the source for both Confucianism and Daoism, which pursues the meaning of life through revealing the relationship between tian (tian 天/heavens) and human beings. Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism is also an important part of Chinese cultural tradition.

The course is primarily a survey course of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism in China. Together with Confucianism and Buddhism, Daoism played an important role in the forming of Chinese civilization. As the only indigenous religion among the three, Daoism permeates almost every aspects of Chinese life, from the imperial court, upper class to the beliefs and customs of the lower class; from pre-modern era to the 21st century China. In each stage of its development, Daoism linked closely with politics, art, natural science and social life of the Chinese people and society.

Buddhism has been identified as one of the most important religions in Asia. The typical characteristics of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism will be carefully examined in the class, with field trips to some Buddhist temples. There will also be sessions which address the modern challenges Yijing, Daoism and Buddhism encounter in contemporary China as well as the Western world.

Textbooks Required Textbooks: • Richard Wilhelm (trans), The I Ching or Book of Changes, 3rded. translated from German to English by C. F. Baynes, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1967. • Charles Q. Wu, Thus Spoke Laozi: A New Translation with Commentaries of Daodejing, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, and Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2016.

中国北京市朝阳区惠新东街10号 对外经济贸易大学宁远楼4层 北京中国学中心 邮编：100029 电话+86 10 84158816 www.thebeijingcenter.org

• Yampolsky, Philip B. The Platform of the Six Patriarch, New York: Columbia University Press, 1967.

Reference Books: • Roger Ames and David Hall, Making This Life Significant: A Philosophical Translation of Daodejing, New York: Ballantine Books, 2003. • Suzuki, Daisetz Teitaro. An Introduction to Zen Buddhism (with a Forward by Carl Jung). New York: Grove Press, 1964. • Chinese Philosophy (WCP), by Haiming Wen, Cambridge University Press, 2012. • Schlutter, Morten and Teiser, Stephen ed. Readings of the Platform Sutra, New York: Columbia University Press, 2012.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Recognize the relations and historical developments of the various schools in ancient Chinese philosophy - Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, etc. 2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of Chinese culture as a whole. 3. Identify the unique features of Chinese ancient philosophical thinking. 4. Demonstrate a general knowledge of early Chinese philosophers, and their teachings in historical context. 5. Sketch the main phases and development in Daoist and Buddhist religious doctrine and practices. 6. Demonstrate an awareness of the social-cultural impact of Daoism and Buddhism within Chinese culture. 7. Argue how Daoism and Buddhism ideas and practices influenced traditional Chinese society. 8. Interpret the basic teachings of Yijing, Daoism, and , as well as traditional Chinese culture’s adaptation to Chinese ethnic minority areas, Western world, and modern challenges.

Grading Policy • Attendance (15%); • Presentation and class-involvement (15%): Students are expected to present on the articles and book chapters assigned by the professor. A 15-20 minutes presentation and students’ discussion on the topic are required. • Mid-term exam (20%); • Final Paper (50%) (double space, 4-8 pages long).

Attendance Policy For general rules, please refer to TBC regulations. Specifically for this course: 1. Unexcused absence is not allowed in this class, including the field trips; 2. Only valid medical or family emergencies qualify as an absence, and documentation of the same must be presented to the professor no later than the next class meeting.

3. All other absences are considered to be unexcused. Late attendance may eventually cause grade detraction. 4. Penalties for unexcused absences: 1 absence – class participation grade drops one full letter grade (example: A- to B-) 2 absences – class participation grade drops two full letter grades 3 absences – class participation grade drops three full letter grades 4 or more absences – class participation grade is a failing grade

Note: cell phones and computers are not allowed in the class (except for occasional collective usage arranged by the professor)

Class Schedule: Lecture 1 Feb.10 Course Introduction and Cultural Origin of Chinese philosophy Introducing related Concepts and related philosophical thoughts Readings: Concepts: Yin and Yang, Book of Changes, Nature & Nurture, etc.;

Lecture 2: Yijing (I Ching-I): The Classic of Changes Feb.11 1. Basic structure: eight trigrams 2. A constant changing universe Readings: 1. WCP Chapter I The Source of Chinese Philosophy-Zhouyi 2. Jung’s forward to Wilhelm translation

Lecture 3: Yijing (I Ching-II): The Classic of Changes Feb.17 1. A universe with moral attributes: the foundation for human morality 2. Moral philosophy: contextual prescriptivism Readings: 1. Jung’s forward to Wilhelm translation 2. Reading some hexagrams

Lecture 4: Yijing (I Ching-III): The Classic of Changes Feb.18 Philosophy of action: causal efficacy or fatalism? Readings: Reading some hexagrams

Lecture 5: Foundation of Taoism (I): Laozi, Dao-te Ching (Daodejing) and Warring States Daoism Feb.24 Laozi and Zhuangzi are two important figures in Daoist founding history because they provide a comprehensive introduction to the mainstays of the Daoist teachings and outlines

early visions and practices of body cultivation as well as the dominant facets of Chinese cosmology. Key concepts: cosmology, non-action, Dao, Qi, etc. Readings: Charles Q. Wu, Thus Spoke Laozi: A New Translation with Commentaries of Daodejing, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, and Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2016.

Lecture 6 Field Trip: Baiyun Temple in Beijing city center Feb.29 Please be noted: Baiyun Temple closes at 4pm. The field trip may on Saturday Feb. 29 depending on TBC’s weekend arrangement and the students’ availability. Questions to be observed: How is Daoism related with people’s common life and commercial activities? What’s the attitude of the Daoists to common people and vice versa, according to your observation there? Laozi’s statue and three stone harmonious monkeys are to be founded by the students.

Lecture 7 Midterm Week March 2 Midterm exam

Lecture 8: Foundation of Taoism (II): Laozi, Daodejing March 3 Further study of Daodejing. Readings: 1. Charles Q. Wu, Thus Spoke Laozi: A New Translation with Commentaries of Daodejing, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, and Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2016. 2. Roger Ames and David Hall, Making This Life Significant: A Philosophical Translation of Daodejing, New York: Ballantine Books, 2003.

Lecture 9: Foundation of Taoism (III): Daodejing and Zhuangzi March 9 Key concepts: the Circulating of Qi and the art of Nourishing Life, etc. Readings: 1. Roger Ames and David Hall, Making This Life Significant: A Philosophical Translation of Daodejing, New York: Ballantine Books, 2003. 2. Charles Q. Wu, Thus Spoke Laozi: A New Translation with Commentaries of Daodejing, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, and Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2016. Note: A Daoist will be invited to the class, showing Taoist tools, dressings, etc. and answering questions and interacting with the students.

Lecture 10: Foundation of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism (I) Buddhism in Chinese History March 10 Topic: Why Buddhism Prevailed in its Combat with China’s Indigenous Daoism? Readings: 1. Roger Ames and David Hall, Making This Life Significant: A Philosophical Translation of Daodejing, New York: Ballantine Books, 2003. 2. Charles Q. Wu, Thus Spoke Laozi: A New Translation with Commentaries of Daodejing, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, and Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2016.

Lecture 11: Field Trip: Guang Ji Temple & the Buddhist Association of China March 16 Questions to be observed: The Early history, the Growth and Expansion of Chan Buddhism: Questions to be observed by the students: Why Daoism but not other religions? Why the Mongols finally be converted as Tibetan Buddhists? Readings: Taoism-Growth of a Religion, P78-114

Lecture 12: Buddhism: China and Overseas: Ming and Qing Dynasty as well as Popular Religions March 17 1. The Decline of Chan Buddhism and the synthesis of three “religions” 2. Confronting the changes of western religions 3. Summary: Daoism and Popular Religion in Imperial China Discussion about Buddhism and Chinese folk religions. Reading: Schlutter, Morten and Teiser, Stephen ed. Readings of the Platform Sutra, New York: Columbia University Press, 2012.

Lecture 13: Modern Chinese Religious Life: Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism March 30 1. Modern religions 2. Chinese modern religions and their timing, history, and politics 3. Contemporary challenges Readings: 1. Schlutter, Morten and Teiser, Stephen ed. Readings of the Platform Sutra, New York: Columbia University Press, 2012. 2. Yampolsky, Philip B. The Platform Sutra of the Six Patriarch, New York: Columbia University Press, 1967.

Lecture 14: Finals Week: final paper due.