The religions of China and East Asia encompass such a diverse array of cultural traditions, philosophical movements, and ritual practices that the very notion of “religion” in East Asia is difficult to discern. In Part One of this course we begin with the ritual and ethical writings of Confucius, Laozi, and the major philosophers of the Warring States Period (475–221 BCE). In Part Two we turn to the introduction of Buddhism to East Asia and the development of Daoism in China, as demonstrated by the Journey to the West. Finally, in Part Three we focus on the religious traditions of modern Japan, including the effects of the World Wars on Shintoism and Zen Buddhism. In addition to learning the key ideas and practices of East Asian religions, throughout the course we will also consider broader human questions, such as the relationship between faith and doubt, nature and ritual, and the interaction of multiple religious traditions in the context of a pluralistic society.
- Teacher: McGrath William