Understanding Buddhism in Japan - Spring 2024
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Please Complete BEFORE the course start date

Pre-Course: Japan, Religion and Christianity - A Starting Foundation
Self Introductions
Additional Resources Needed for This Course

Course Goals
How we will use the course textbooks and resources
Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation
4 Class calls
Introduction to Buddhism - Initial Class Call

April 9th - Introductory class call & live lecture on Buddhism
April 9 Class Call Recording
Glossary of Buddhist Terms
Japanese Buddhist Holidays by Sect
Week 1 - Buddhism Takes Root in Japan

Reading 1 - (24pg)
Reading 2 - Persecution in both directions
Chinkokuji and and Enzoin Videos from Riz
Optional Extra Reading
Reflection
Pray
Week 2 - Jōdo Shinshū

Reading 1 - SHINRAN SHONIN - Jōdo Shinshū 浄土真宗 (8pgs)
Optional Reading: Eshinni - The Mother of Jodo Shinshu - Jōdo Shinshū 浄土真宗 (2pgs)
Reading 2 - Understanding Jōdo Shinshū (2pgs)
Reading 3 - History of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism (4pgs)
Watch - Introduction to Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism
Watch - Jōdo Shinshū Practices at a Home Altar
Reading 4 - Translator's Introduction (2pgs)
Reading 5 - Tannisho a Record in Lament of Divergences (5pgs)
Reading 6 - Letters of Rennyo
Pray
Week 3 - Jōdo Shinshū and Christianity

Watch - a Jodo Shinshu daily devotion (Otsutome)
Reading 1 - Jōdo Wasan - by Shinran Shonin
Reading 2 - Koso Wasan - by Shinran Shonin
Assignment - Jodo and Jesus
Pray
April 29 - Zoom call to discuss the last 2 weeks material - Jōdo Shinshū
Week 4 - Zen Buddhism

Reading 1 - What is Zen Buddhism (4pgs)
Watch - Life of Zen
Reading 1 - Zen Buddhism and the Japanese Tea Ceremony (2pgs)
Watch: Zen Buddhism Ceremony
Reading 2 - Zen Gardens (1pg)
Pray
Week 5 - Zen Buddhism vs. Christianity

Watch - Zen Buddhism Impacts the West
Zen Buddhism Koans
Koans - Reading and Assignment
Pray
RESCHEDULED TO May 12 - Zoom call to discuss the last 2 weeks material - Zen Buddhism
Week 6 - How is Buddhism Expressed in Japan in 2023?

Reading 1 - Family/Daily Expressions of Buddhism in Japan
Interviews
Reading 2 - Buddhism Since 1945 (8pgs)
Reading 3 - Buddhism in Japan - Present and Future (3pgs)
How Buddhism Impacts Being a Christian in Japan
Pray
Final Class Call May 20th at 5pm Pacific Time
Where to go from here

Continue on with the Redemptive Analogies Series
Take other RJC Academy Courses
Join The Broader Reaching Japanese for Christ Network
Support the RJC Network
Volunteer with The RJC Academy

Week 5 - Zen Buddhism vs. Christianity

5 Lessons