JAPANESE PHILOSOPHY, ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
In 900-1200 words, address the following essay prompt. You should treat this not as a series of short answer responses but as a well-formed essay, complete with introduction, body, conclusion, footnotes as necessary, and bibliography if you use footnotes.
You are encouraged to use subheadings within your essay if doing so helps you structure your argument clearly. Pease rules and guidelines outlined in "Instructions for Writing Well," which you'll find on Isidore.
Topic: According to Shinto, you and I are both possessed of kami. According to Kakai's Shingon Buddhism, you and I are both capable of realizing enlightenment in this very existence (sokushin-jobutsu). In other words, both Shinto and Shingon agree that the key to spiritual enlightenment is present within this very body.
On this much they agree. Explain the important philosophical differences between their two doctrines. Draw from Kakai's major works and secondary texts about Kukai and Shinto to support your argument. You would do well to address the following considerations (not necessarily in this order; I strongly recommend outlining your essay in advance to get the order right):
• Do Shinto and Shingon Buddhism agree on what spiritual enlightenment means?
• Is one of them clearer or more specific than the other?* Why do you think this is? Is this an advantage or a disadvantage?
• Do they agree on what the body signifies? What about the mind? What about the world?
• Why does Kiikai advocate the doctrine of enlightenment in this very existence (as opposed to other kinds of Buddhist practice)?
• Is there a difference between nondualism in Shinto and nondualism in Buddhism?