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            The Zen Garden  Ryoanji  in Kyoto, Japan
                      photo by Mizuno Katsuhiko
 

    This course will examine the contribution of Zen Buddhism to the cultural soul of Japan.

From the middle ages on, Zen masters such as Eisai, Dogen, Ikkyu, Bankei, Hakuin
                                                and the gentle Ryokan keep this "crazy cloud" tradition alive.

The Zen spirit also takes root in the arts of peace
                        such as meditation, architecture, gardening, flower arranging, calligraphy, painting,
                                                                                poetry, Noh drama and the tea ceremony,
                                   as well as the arts of war
                         such as Zen archery, swordsmanship and aikido.

We shall explore these facets in lively fashion --

                for the sake of a deeper understanding of Japan and

                            for the sake of new possibilities for our own thinking and living.

SYLLABUS

ASSIGNMENTS

ENRICHMENT MATERIAL
 

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