R202 Chinese Religions (3 Cr.) - Miller  MW 5:30-6:45 BH 204

This course is a historical survey of Chinese religions from the beginning
of Chinese civilization to the Tang Dynasty (613-906 CE), aimed at
introducing students to the world of Chinese religious ideas and
practices.  This course is not meant to be comprehensive.  Instead, it
will provide students with snapshots of particular practices, people,
texts, and movements that were seminal in the development of Chinese
religions.  Topics that will be covered include early ideas concerning the
relation of this world to the other, ancestor worship, Laozi and Zhuangzi,
longevity and immortality practices, Amit bha and his Pure Land, the
development of religious Daoist communities and practices, the acceptance
of Buddhism in China along with the creation of apocryphal texts, and
rituals to save the dead.  These topics will be discussed historically to
give students an understanding of the context in which these ideas and
practices developed.

This course is meant to provide students with factual knowledge about
early Chinese religions as well as the ability to compare and contrast
traditions and think critically about them.  We will explore how ideas and
traditions developed and grew, how foreign Buddhist ideas were accepted in
China, and how Daoism and Buddhism informed and influenced one another.
Through an investigation of these Chinese ideas we will be able to
approach the question: What is religion?

The required texts for this class are: Isabelle Robinet, Taoism: Growth of
a Religion, and a course packet.  These readings will include both
background information aimed at introducing students to the materials, and
a selection of primary texts to let students gain first-hand knowledge of
the type of texts, practices, and ideas important to the ancient Chinese.

This course assumes no previous knowledge of China or Chinese religions.
Requirements include preparation and discussion of the readings,
attendance and participation in class, various (small) assignments, two
in-class exams, and a final exam.