PHILOSOPHY OF ZEN

Fall 2025 Syllabus

Section 001
CRN: 14087
MWF 12:00 — 12:50 PM
Edith Kanakaʻole Hall 111
Hybrid Instruction

Dr. Timothy J. Freeman
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 212
office: 932-7479; cell: 345-5231

freeman@hawaii.edu

Office Hours: MWF 1:00- 1:50 PM
and by appointment

Banner image:
Streams and Mountains without End, 溪山無盡 (detail)
China, late Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) - Jin dynasty (1115-1234)
handscroll, ink and slight color on silk

PHIL 430 Philosophy of Zen
Chief philosophical teachings of Zen, its methods and cultural influences. Comparative study of Zen and Western thought. Pre: previous work in philosophy or religious studies, or consent of instructor.

Recommended: PHIL 302. (Same as JPST 430) (Attributes: GAHP, HPP)

Zen Mind. Beginner's Mind, Shunryu Suzuki. Shambhala, 2011.
Zen Pathways: An Introduction to the Philosophy and Practice of Zen Buddhism. Bret W. Davis. Oxford University Press, 2022.

This course provides an introduction and thorough examination of the philosophy of Zen. Zen is one of the major traditions of Buddhism. Zen flourished in Japan and greatly influenced many aspects of Japanese culture, from architecture, the visual arts, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, Noh drama and Samurai culture. The origins of Zen can be traced to China and India. The word “Zen” is the Japanese translation of the Chinese word “Chan” which was the Chinese translation for the Sanskrit word “Dhyana” that we translate as “meditation.” Thus Zen is, literally, the “Meditation” School of Buddhism. The unique characteristic of Chan or Zen Buddhism is that it developed in China, bringing together Mahāyāna Buddhism from India with Chinese philosophy, especially Daoism. This course will thus review the origins of Zen in Daoism and Indian Buddhism and then follow the development of Chan in China and Zen in Japan. Since coming over to the West from Japan in the 19th and 20th centuries, Zen has also had considerable impact on art, literature and philosophy. At the end of the course we will examine some of the writings of contemporary Zen philosophers.

[Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
●respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course;
●read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course;
●compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information;
●identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Zen philosophy.

This course is designated as Hybrid instruction, which means there will be a mixture of face to face and online instruction. Classroom face to face is recommended, but for those who are unable to make it to campus all classes will take place on Zoom and be recorded. Instruction will include lectures, powerpoint presentations, film clips, and discussions.
UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses

Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings. No consumption of food is allowed during class. For those attending on Zoom cameras must be on for attendance to be counted.

The final grade will be based on the following:
1) Attendance & classroom participation (10%)
2) Mid-term essay exam (40% each)
3) Final Essay Term Paper (50%)


Grading will be determined according to the following scale:

A 95-100 Excellent
A - 90-94
B + 87-89
B 84-86 Good
B - 80-83
C + 77-79
C 74-76 Satisfactory
C - 70-73 Poor
D 60-70 Failure
F below 60

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Course Evaluation

**Schedule is subject to revision**