AS690 The Lotus Sutra & Asian Culture

Dr. S. A. Wawrytko, Spring 2005
TTH 2-3:15, SH348

OFFICE BA332C, TTH 12:30-1:30; W 11-12, and after class

REQUIRED TEXTS
§ Nikkyo Niwano, Buddhism for Today (Kosei Publishing Company 1990)
§ Gene Reeves, A Buddhist Kaleidoscope: Essays on the Lotus Sutra ( Kosei Publishing, 2002)
§ Burton Watson, trans., The Lotus Sutra (Columbia University Press, 1993)
§ Sandra A. Wawrytko, "Language and Logic in the Lotus S tra: A Hermeneutical Exploration of Philosophical Underpinnings," Chung-Hwa Buddhist Journal, No. 13 (2000), 63-95

OPTIONAL TEXT
§ Thich Nhat Hanh, Opening the Heart of the Cosmos: Insights on the Lotus Sutra (Parallax Press, 2003)

"Outside the mind there is no Lotus Sutra
and outside the Lotus Sutra there is no mind."
--Zen Master Hakuin

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The Lotus Sutra claims the distinction of representing the highest teachings of the Buddha. Over nearly two thousand years this indescribably profound, enigmatic, and engaging text has permeated not only the Mahayana Buddhism of Asian societies, but also their respective cultures. As the inspiration for the most extensive commentarial literature of any Buddhist sutra (including a commentary by Japan's early nation-builder, Prince Shotoku), its widespread influence continues to grow, even while its opaqueness remains a challenge to all who encounter it.

We will engage in an in-depth inquiry to uncover the social, political, and economic impact of this key Buddhist text as manifested in the fine arts, architecture, and literature of Asia, along with more obvious philosophical and religious expressions. Of special interest are the infrequently noted ways in which this single text shaped Buddhist practices and perceptions. It signals a major shift in the presentation of Buddhist doctrine in terms of literary style, with tantalizing parallels to classical Indian aesthetics that are evident in today's Bollywood films. Simultaneously, the Lotus Sutra communicates an extremely sophisticated form of logic and linguistic philosophy that resonates with contemporary cognitive science.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION

Seminar members will draw on their areas of specialization to approach the text with fresh eyes in a group exploration spanning all areas of Asia—from China, Japan and Korea to Vietnam, India, the ancient Buddhist kingdoms of Central Asia, and beyond. Discussions will include contemporary expressions of the text's message, again in a variety of venues. Participation by students from all disciplines is welcomed in the intellectual, existential, and unending adventure that is the Lotus Sutra!

WEEK (please prepare chapters in Watson translation as indicated)

1 course introduction and overview
Lotus Sutra—what, where, how, what (notes, pp. 1-4)

2 Sandra A. Wawrytko, "Language and Logic in the Lotus S tra: A Hermeneutical Exploration of Philosophical Underpinnings," Chung-Hwa Buddhist Journal

3 overview of the Lotus Sutra text (notes, pp. 5-10, 24)
Niwano, xvii-xxvii

4 chapter 1, Introduction, (notes, p 11)
Niwano 23-40; Reeves, 27-49

5 chapter 2, Expedient Means (notes pp. 12-14)
Niwano 41-51; Reeves 337-47

6 chapter 3, Simile and Parable (notes, pp. 15-17)
Niwano 53-62

7 chapter 12, Devadatta (notes, pp. 18-19)
Niwano 53-59; Reeves 437-91

8 chapter 16, The Life Span of the Thus Come One (notes, pp. 20-21)
Niwano 185-56; Reeves 165-75

9 chapter 25, The Universal Gateway of the Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World's Sounds
(notes, pp. 22-23) Niwano 377-88; Reeves 333-36

10 chapter 28, Encouragements of the Bodhisattva Universal Worthy
Niwano, 405-19

11-15 student presentations