ASIAN PHILOSOPHY

Students will examine three major schools of Asian philosophies - Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism - and the impact of these philosophies upon historical and modern thought.

Outside Reading

Huong, Duong Thu. Paradise of the Blind. New York: Perennial, 1991. Print.

Confucianism

Readings: Confucian Analects

Key Concepts:

Humanity - focus on the other; best described as "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
Gentleman - focus on the self; the concept of gentleman is not birth but living an ethical life
Ritual - observance of religious practices as well as honor of family and ancestors; these elements should be observed with thought and meaning

Taoism

Readings: from the Tao de Ching and Tao of Pooh

Key Concepts:

aims to achieve humility, simplicity, and harmony with nature
believes in "the unity of opposites"
believes in not tampering with natural states, i.e. you cannot place that "square peg" in a "round hole"
all things are constantly changing
the universe is infinite

Buddhism

Readings: from Zen Teachings and Zen Parables

Key Concepts:

belief in karma and reincarnation
believed that "life was suffering," so one should to detach from earthly life and desires in order to attain enlightenment
believed that anyone could attain the state of "Buddahood" through self-discipline, meditation, and living a life of simplicity
believed in the Four Noble Truths: (1) suffering is a part of life, (2) the cause of suffering is desire, (3) stopping desire is the only way to stop suffering.
The Eightfold Path, called the "Middle Way" of Buddhism. Following the Eightfold Path produces a combination of understanding, compassion, and an advanced state of consciousness.

(1) Right understanding: Realize the causes of desire.

(2) Right intentions: Recognize impure thoughts and eliminate them.

(3) Right speech: Avoid lies, exaggerations, and harsh words.

(4) Right action: Avoid stealing and sexual contact that causes hurt.

(5) Right work: A livelihood should not cause harm.

(6) Right effort: Strive to improve.

(7) Right meditation: Use meditation to focus on nature of reality.

(8) Right contemplation: Cultivate inner peace.

Major Works

From Confucian Analects
“The Vinegar Tasters” (painting)
from Tao de Ching
Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff
Seven Blind Mice, Ed Young (children’s book and Chinese parable)
from Zen Teachings and Parables
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (connection poem)
“The Four Rabbinim” (prose)
“The Starry Night,” Van Gogh (painting); “The Starry Night,” Anne Sexton (poem), p. 78
“I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer,” Walt Whitman (poem)