Course Outline: CB401 School of Chinese Buddhism I, 2010/2011, Semester 2

Basic Data
Program: 
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
Second Semester (December 06, 2010 – April 09, 2011) Academic year 2010/2011
Subject: 
CB401 - Schools of Chinese Buddhism: Pure Land
Credit / status: 
3 Credits / Minor subject
Instructor: 
法庆博士
Recommended Texts: 

English Reference:

  • BDK English Tripitaka 25-II: The Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra. Translated by Lokaksema. Translated from the Chinese (Taisho Volume 13, Number 418) by Paul Harrison. Numata: Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1988.
  • Foard, James, with Michael Soloman and Richard K Payne. Pure Land Tradition: History and Development. Berkeley: University Press, 1996.
  • Hirota, Dennis. Toward a contemporary understanding of Pure Land Buddhism: creating a Shin Buddhist theology in a religiously plural world. New York: State University, 2000.
  • Machida, Soho. Renegade Monk: Honen and Japanese Pure Land Buddhism. California: University Press, 1999.
  • Mochizuki, Shinko. “Development of Chinese Pure Land Buddhism (part 1).” Translated by Leo Pruden. Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Vol.1, Number 2, Spring 1983. http://www.shin-ibs.edu/documents/pwj-one/one2/02Mochizuki.pdf
  • ____.“Development of Chinese Pure Land Buddhism (Chapter 2-4).” Translated by Leo Pruden. Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Third Series Number 3, Fall 2001. Pp.241-276. http://www.shin-ibs.edu/documents/pwj3-3/11MC3.pdf
  • ____. “Development of Chinese Pure Land Buddhism (Chapter 5-6).” Translated by Leo Pruden. Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Third Series Number 4,, Fall 2002. Pp259-280.http://www.shin-ibs.edu/documents/pwj3-4/13MC4.pdf
  • ____.“Development of Chinese Pure Land Buddhism (Chapter 7: T'an Luan).” Translated by Leo Pruden. Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Third Series Number 2, Fall 2000. Pp149-166. http://www.shin-ibs.edu/documents/pwj3-2/08SM2.pdf
  • Pacific World Journal. http://www.shin-ibs.edu/academics/_pwj/new.one.php

Chinese Reference:

Course Organization: 

In this course, we shall focus on Pure Land tradition as it developed within the historical cultural context of China and Japan. Although the course will be lecture oriented, the students are encouraged to ask questions at any time. The course will be taught according the following topics:

  • Week 1: Introduction to the Course and its method of teaching and learning
  • Week 2: The origin and develop of Pure Land
  • Week 3-4: Pure Land Thought in Mahāyāna Sutras
  • Week 5-6: Western Pure Land Thought
  • Week 7: Midterm Exam Week 8: Tan Lun's (曇鸞) basic thought and practice
  • Week 9: Shan Dao's Thought and Practice
  • Week 10-11: Pure Land Development after Shan Dao
  • Week 12: Jodo School in Japan
  • Week 13: Jodo Shinshu in Japan
  • Week 14: Modern Develop of Pure Land Buddhism
  • Week 15: Review
Course Requirements: 

Students require to read the assigned textbooks

a. Short Research Paper:

As part of the course requirements, students will learn to write a short research paper based upon thorough investigation and documentation. A topic of interest that is related to the subject matter of the course will be selected in consultation with the instructor. Because the outcome of the paper will be presented orally to the class, the students will learn how to prepare a summary for this purpose.

The students should consult a reference book on how to compose a research paper before attempting to write the paper. The MLA Style Sheet or the Chicago Manual of Style is highly recommended. See:

The required short research paper should be on a topic related to the contents of the course (i.e., Pure Land Buddhism in China or Japan). It should have a clear introduction in which the purpose and scope of the paper is stated. Proper documentation of sources, both quoted and used for reference, should be given in the footnotes and bibliography.

b. Oral Presentation:

Through their oral presentation and subsequent questions, the students will have an opportunity to share their findings with the rest of the class. Because the content of the course is Pure Land Buddhism, this course will offer the students an opportunity to participate in the investigation of not only the Mahāyāna traditional way of thinking, but also the way that the Chinese and Japanese integrated, assimilated, and transformed the Indian Buddhist ideas to their ways of thinking, while mutually encountering global and international influences.

Allocation of Marks: 
  • Oral Presentation: 10%
  • Mid-term exam: 30%
  • Final written exam: 60%
Course Objectives: 

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  • 1.Gain a general knowledge of the fundamental teachings of the Pure Land
  • 2.Understand the essential history and major issues of Pure Lan
Grading: 

All tests, assignments and examinations are graded as follows with grade point and numerical marks:

Grade Performance Grade value Percentage Equivalence
A+ Excellent 4.0 90-100
A Almost Excellent 3.75 85-89
A- Fairly Excellent 3.5 80-84
B+ Very Good 3.25 75-79
B Good 3.0 70-74
B- Fairly Good 2.75 65-69
C+ Fair 2.5 60-64
C Satisfactory 2.25 55-59
C- Minimum Satisfactory 2.0 50-54
D+ Fairly Poor 1.5 40-49
D Poor 1.0 30-39
F Fail 0.0 29 or less
I Incomplete
W Withdrawn
WF Withdrawn because of failure
AU Audit