Please note that there will be two East Asian Studies classes next week which will introduce students to both Zen Buddhism and Sumie (charcoal ink painting). The first will begin at 1.30 on Monday 9/28 and the second will be held on Thursday 10/1 in two separate morning and afternoon sessions.

The resident monk of Rinsen-ji, a Rinzai temple in Arashiyama, will introduce you to the background of his sect as well as to the practice of zazen meditation. Zen, one of the six main branches of Buddhism in Japan, has three main sects, Rinzai, Soto and Obaku.  Rinzai is itself divided into several subschools based on temple affiliation, including Myoshin-ji, Nanzen-ji, Tenryū-ji, Daitoku-ji, and Tofuku-ji, all of which are temples based here in Kyoto. Zen is referred to in Chinese as Chán. Chán is itself derived from the Sanskrit Dhyāna, which means “meditation” and it is the practice of zazen, sitting meditation that lies at the core of Zen practice.

(Left) The ensō, a symbol of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

(Right) A scroll painting of Bodhidharma, the 5th century Indian prince turned monk attributed with bringing the basic teachings of what became Chan Buddhism to China.

Thursday’s East Asian Studies will be taught by Michael Hofmann, a local but well known sumie (charcoal ink painting) artist who will teach you to paint in the style of this traditional art. This class is for the eight students who are not studying sumie with Michael for their Independent Studies.  Due to space constrictions, half of the students will attend the morning session beginning at 10.00 am (Alex, Marte, Adam and Miaja) and the other half will join the afternoon session beginning at 1.00pm (Phoebe, Aly, Rebecca and Michelle).

Please be sure to read the introductory handouts you received before each class as they will help to put what you hear and practice into their historical and cultural context.

Finally, please note that there will be a Community Meeting at 12.30 on Tuesday 9/29.