Final Essay Instructions: Silent Meditation and Knowledge in Zen

1. Essay assignment instructions

This essay is worth 25% of your final grade and should be approximately 1000-1500 words.

Zen is said to be based on a silent meditative practice that is beyond words and does not rely on literary study. How can silent meditation be a means of knowledge? How does it lead to insight into the Buddhist concepts of no self and emptiness? Answer these questions in response to either:

1. the Ten Ox-herding pictures (Class 13)

2. the Zen kōan and silent illumination (Class 14)

Include at least two citations to the course readings from the Buddhism section and a Works Cited in your paper.

SUGGESTED OUTLINE: I suggest adopting the following format.

1. Introduce the topic and state your thesis in response to the following question: How can silent meditation constitute a means of knowledge in Zen for gaining insight into the Buddhist concepts of no self and emptiness? In your introduction and thesis formulate your argument in response to either (1) the Ten Ox-herding pictures or (2) the Zen kōan and silent illumination.

For how to write a strong thesis statement, see “The Thesis of an Essay” document (and other useful resource documents) at: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/academic-skills- centre/handouts/writing-assignment-skills/

2. Explain how and why Zen defines itself as a tradition that:

   1. is “beyond words” (i.e. “a separate transmission outside of scriptures / not founded on words and letters)

   2. privileges sudden enlightenment over gradual enlightenment.

Explain at least 2 specific examples of Zen silence and sudden enlightenment from the lectures and readings, including:

• the legend of Bodhidharma

• Bodhidharma’s verse on Zen

• Bodhidharma’s dialogue with Huike, the Second Patriarch

• The legend of Mahakasyapa and mind-to-mind transmission

• The legend of Huineng, the 6th Patriarch and the poetry competition
  

3. Indicate how insight into “no self” and “emptiness” are the objectives of Zen meditation.

• Briefly define and explain the Buddhist concepts of “no self” and “emptiness.” It may be useful to consider the ideas in the Thich Nhat Hanh reading and cite his article.

4. CHOOSE ONE OF THE TWO OPTIONS:

1. The Ten Ox-herding pictures: Explain the model of Zen meditative practice as illustrated through the stages of the Ten Ox-herding pictures.

Consider the following points:

1. The ox: What does the ox represent? Define and explain the concept of buddha- nature.

2. Finding and taming the ox: Why is it so difficult to both find and tame the ox? What does this have to do with Zen meditation and enlightenment?

3. Return to the source: Why are both the self and the ox forgotten?

4. Entering the marketplace: What is the significance of returning to the marketplace?

5. Confucianism and Daoism: How does the Ten Ox-herding pictures reflect Confucian ritual training and gradual self-cultivation, on the one hand, and Daoist naturalness and non-action on the other?

2. The Zen kōan and silent illumination: Explain how the Zen kōan functions and, briefly, how it compares to the practice of silent illumination.

Consider the following points:

1. The Zen kōan: Explain what a kōan is. Where do these kōan come from?

2. The kōan in meditation: Explain the process of how the kōan works in meditation.

3. Ritual and insight: What is the connection between ritual practice and sudden insight within kōan practice? How does this relate to the concept of no self/non-duality? Why is the insight into the kōan said to be “beyond words”? See Victor Hori’s article for assistance.

4. Silent illumination: Briefly explain the model of silent illumination meditation. How does it relate to the concept of no self/non-duality? How does this model compare to the Zen kōan?

5. Conclusion Summarize your findings and arguments on how silent meditation constitutes a means of knowledge in Zen in relation to the topic you analyzed.
   

2. FORMAT

This is a formal essay, and you need provide at least two citations from the readings.

1. Thesis: How to write a strong thesis statement:

See “The Thesis of an Essay” document (and other useful resource documents) at: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/academic-skills-centre/handouts/writing-assignment-skills/

2. MLA Citations and Works Cited:

Use the MLA citation style for this assignment. For format and instructions see the “MLA Citations” and “MLA Works Cited – Page Format” documents (as well as other useful resources) at:

https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/academic-skills-centre/apa-mla-style-sheets/

Here is another useful resource on citations and academic research: https://www.unlockingresearch.com/

Works Cited: Here are the bibliographic records for all the course materials from the Buddhism section:

Hori, Victor Sōgen, “Teaching and Learning in the Rinzai Zen Monastery,” Journal of Japanese Studies 20.1 (1994): 5-35.

Nhat Hanh, Thich. Awakening of the Heart: Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries. Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 2012.

Prebish, Charles S. and Damien Keown. “The Dharma.” Introducing Buddhism, 2nd ed.

London & New York: Routledge, 2006. 42-58.

Sheng-yen, “Zen Meditation.” In Zen Tradition and Transition, ed. by Kenneth Kraft, 30-

43. New York: Grove Press, 1988.

Suzuki, D. T. “What Is Zen?” Zen and Japanese Culture. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1959. 3-18.

Yampolsky, Philip, trans. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch. New York:

Columbia University Press, 1967.

Addiss, Stephen, trans. “Chao-chou [Zhaozhou] (778-897) Recorded Sayings (excerpts),” 72-84. In Zen Sourcebook. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Company. 2008.

CITATIONS NOTE: For any sources from the earlier parts of the course, see the film analysis essay instructions.

3. DUE DATES: The assignment must be uploaded to Lea as a Word or PDF document.

Late penalties apply.

Section:	Due date:
Mon-Wed. course section 19002	Wed. August 4th, 11:00 p.m.
Tue.-Thurs course section 19001	Thursday, August 5th, at 11:00 p.m.

NOTE: We will not have a synchronous Zoom class discussion on Class 15 in order for you to spend the time finishing this final essay.

***LATEST SUBMISSION DATE: Due to the fact that final grades for this course must be submitted no later than Monday, August 9th. The latest deadline to submit the final paper late and receive a grade will be: Saturday, August 7th.

4. GRADING RUBRIC FOR THE FINAL ESSAY:

Grade (out of 10)	Qualities
95	A strong, clear thesis statement and argumentation throughout the paper Exceptional analysis and synthesis of the material including original insights and observations Excellent engagement with and comprehension of the ideas from the readings and course lectures, including relevant citations Responses are coherent, thoughtful, and well-written
90	A strong, clear thesis statement and argumentation throughout the paper Excellent analysis and synthesis of the material Excellent engagement with and comprehension of the ideas from the readings and course lectures, including relevant citations Responses are coherent, thoughtful, and well-written

85	A good thesis statement OR good argumentation throughout the paper Good analysis of the material and synthesis of some of the major ideas Engagement with and comprehension of some major ideas from the readings and course lectures, including relevant citations Responses are coherent and well-written
80	A good thesis statement OR good argumentation throughout the paper Basic comprehension of and engagement with some of the major ideas, including relevant citations Responses are basically coherent
75	Lack of a thesis statement OR poor development of argument within the paper Limited comprehension and engagement with the readings and course lecturers Responses basically coherent, or lacking coherence
70 and lower	Incomplete responses, lack of engagement and comprehension of the readings and course lecturers Responses lacking coherence