Course Outline: CB403 School of Chinese Buddhism II, 2011/2012, Semester 1

Basic Data
Program: 
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
First Semester (July 11 – November 12, 2011) Academic year 2011/2012
Subject: 
CB403 - School of Chinese Buddhism: Tian Tai
Credit / status: 
3 Credits / Minor subject
Instructor: 
法庆博士
Recommended Texts: 

1.Required Textbook

  • Hurvitz, Leon. “Chih-i (538-597): An Introduction to the Life and Ideas of a Chinese Monk.” Melanges Chinoises et Bouddhiques 12 (1962): 1-372. Print.
  • Donner, Neal, and Daniel B. Stevenson's. The Great Calming and Contemplation. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1993. Print.

2.Recommended Reference

  • Fa Qing “Tian Tai Meditation System in Mohe Zhiguan: The Ten Modes of Contemplation.” 6th Bi -Annual International Conference, Buddhist Meditation: Texts, Tradition and Practice. Somaiya Vidyavihar, Mumbai, India , from 3rd to 5th September 2010.
  • Lusthaus, Dan. Buddhist philosophy, Chinese. In E. Craig (Ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. London: Routledge. Web. December 11, 2006.
  • Swanson, P. The Philosophy of T’ien-t’ai. Berkeley: Asian Humanities, 1989. Print.
  • Wright, A. Studies in Chinese Buddhism. Ed. R. Somers. New Haven: Yale University, 1990. Print.
  • Zürcher, E. The Buddhist Conquest of China. Leiden: Brill, 2 vols. N.d. Print.
  • Ziporyn, Brook. “Tiantai School” in Encyclopedia of Buddhism. Ed. Robert E. Buswell. New York: McMillan, 2004. Print.
Course Organization: 

In this course, we shall focus on Tian Tai 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, each session one topic:

  • 1. The basic thought and practice of the first patriarch, Hui-wen of Tian Tai School.
  • 2. The main doctrinal thought of the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra.
  • 3. The Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra and its relationship with Zhiyi.
  • 4. Pan Jiao (Dividing the Doctrine) in Tian Tai and its significance.
  • 5. “Rounded and Sudden” contemplation.
  • 6. Zhiyi’s concept of “One thought contents the three thousand worlds.”
  • 7. Zhiyi’s interpretation of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā’s two truths.
  • 8. Midterm Exam
  • 9. The function of the ritual practice in Tian Tai School.
  • 10. The controversy between “the Mountain masters” (orthodox) and “Off-mountain masters” (heterodox) during the Song Dynasty.
  • 11. The salient features of the Tian Tai School in Song Dynasty.
  • 12. Tendai Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism.
  • 13. Tendai Buddhism have a major impact on Japanese Buddhism.
  • 14. The crucial elements in Tendai Practice and the distinctive features of Nichiren School.
  • 15. Review
Course Requirements: 
  • Students require to read the assigned textbooks before attending the class. 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 student should consult a reference book on how to compose a research paper before attempting to write the paper. The MLA Style Sheet is highly recommended. See http://ibc.ac.th/faqing/essayguide
  • The required short research paper should be on a topic related to the contents of the course (i.e., Tian Tai 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.
  • 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 Tian Tai Buddhism, this course will offer the students an opportunity to participate in the investigation of not only the Mahayana 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: 
  • Class participation 5%
  • Short Research Paper 15%
  • Mid-term exam 20%
  • 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 Tian Tai
  • 2.Understand the essential history and major issues of Tian Tai.
  • 3.A better knowledge of Chinese and Japanese Buddhism.
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