Course Description for The Philosophy of Zen Buddhism
The Philosophy of Zen Buddhism
Zen is the meditation school of traditional Buddhism. This course is a critical examination of the literary, philosophical and historical roots and teachings of Zen. We will begin with a general introduction to Buddhism, then read some Chinese and Japanese Zen texts, in an effort to understand them as expressions of Asian culture, as responses to philosophical problems, as exercises testing the limits of reason, and as expedient means to awaken "the true self of compassionate wisdom".