Essay Assignment
Write a essay of japanese philosophy.
Length: 5 pages double spaces.
JAPANESE PHILOSOPHY
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
In 1200-1500 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. Please follow the rules and guidelines outlined in "Instructions for Writing Well," which you'll find on Isidore.
Topic:
On the surface, Dogen's shikantaza ("just-sitting") method for reaching enlightenment seems to be completely at odds with Shinran's method of chanting the nenibutsu to reach enlightenment. Yet according to Watsuji Tetsuro, "the two of them are fundamentally one."` This is a bold claim, and a sweeping one; your assignment is to clarify it-that is, to examine the ways in which Dogen and Shinran are in agreement and the ways in which they are at odds.
Using Watsuji Tetsuro's essay, "Shinran's Compassion and Dogen's Compassion," and drawing upon primary texts written by Dogen and Shinran to support your argument, compare and contrast Dogen and Shinran on the following points:
• What are their respective methods for reaching enlightenment?
o Clearly explain both just-sitting (shikantaza) and the nembutsu.
o How is each of these supposed to lead a practitioner to enlightenment?
o What are the most important respects in which these methods differ?
o Given all of the obvious differences between them, why would Watsuji claim that these methods are similar?
• How do DOgen and Shinran describe enlightenment itself?
o Cite the relevant texts directly.
o In what ways are these accounts importantly different?
o In what senses are they importantly similar?
• How do DOgen and Shinran differ in the way they understand our social and ethical responsibilities?
o How do DOgen and Shinran differ in the way they see human beings?
o What does this difference have to do with they way they understand Buddhist practice and Buddhist enlightenment?