Unit+III+Module+2+Buddhism+in+Japan



BUDDHISM



Module 2: Buddhism in Japan
 * How is Buddhism present in Japanese culture?**

Mandatory Activities
 * Read the Introduction to Buddhism handout.
 * Watch the slideshow on the story of the Buddha on the wikipage and answer the prompt on that discussion forum.
 * Read the notes on Buddhism in Japan.
 * Read at least four Setsuwa Tales and connect them back to Buddhism based on the notes.
 * Read the article about Zen Buddhism and answer the questions.
 * Construct four haiku (one for each season) and make them into a booklet.

Alternate Activities
 * Research modern Japanese literature and film and see how these Buddhist ideas are present in them today.
 * Look up web resources that deal with Japanese Buddhism and put them on the Webography. Be sure to annotate them.
 * Interview a Japanese Buddhist (in person, by email, skype, etc) and see how they think Buddhism effects current Japanese culture.
 * Investigate one of the art forms that is connected to Zen Buddhism (Chado, kado, shodo, budo, haiku) and create a presentation that connects them.
 * Watch a Kurasawa film and make connections to the ideas of Buddhism presented here.

Buddhism is a complex religion that is better defined as a philosophy than a religion. Please read the following background information on Buddhism before we get started.



Watch the story of the Buddha here:

Story of the Buddha

Here is a great overview of Zen Buddhism Intro To Zen