DATE	TOPICS/READINGS
1/6	Introduction: Religion in Japan?
1/8	Religious Pluralism in Japan: Turning to the Gods in Times of Trouble Religion in Contemporary Japan (RCJ): 1-22 (Chapter 1)
1/10	The Early Foundations of Japanese Religion Introducing Japanese Religion (IJR): 1-21, 58-64, 90-93 • Sources of Japanese Tradition (SJT): 3-9
1/13	Kojiki and Nihonshoki: Land of the Rising Sun Goddess SJT: 13-31, 70-75
1/15	The Way of the Kami: Shinto Then and Now RCJ: 55-76 (Chapter 3) • IJR: 28-31, 64-76
1/17	Through the Torii: The Experience of Shinto Shinto: The Way Home (SWH): 1-37
1/20	Living Shinto: Everyday Connectedness SWH: 38-70 • IJR: 25-28
1/22	Politics and Religion in Early Japan: Existential and Essentialist Modalities of Shinto SWH: 71-91 • SJT: 40-42, 50-55
1/24	MOVIE: Spirited Away (G 20) Ningenkan • Kannagara • Shinto and Human Life
1/27	MOVIE: Spirited Away (G 20) Tradition vs. Innovation and the Creatures in Spirited Away • Shinto Perspectives
1/28	Contemplative Event: Christian Orthodox Meditation 12:00-1:00 PM @ Heininger Auditorium (Larrance Academic Center)
1/29	Siddhartha Gautama: The Historical Buddha IJR: 78-82 • The Life of Gautama Buddha
1/31	The Development of Mahayana Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism • IJR: 82-88 • SJT: 55-62, 108-111
2/3	The Arrival of Buddhism IJR: 93-99, 31-32 • SJT: 100-108, 111-121 • “Spirited Away” Paper
2/5	Heian Buddhism: Shingon IJR: 102-112, 32-34 • SJT: 153-174
2/7	Shingon: The Goma Fire Ritual SJT: 175-196 • Goma1 • Goma2
2/10	Heian Buddhism: Tendai IJR: 112-118, 34-35 • SJT: 123-152
2/12	Popular Media as Pathways to Spirituality? RCJ: 23-54 (Chapter 2)
2/13	Contemplative Event: Mindfulness Meditation 4:00-5:00 PM @ Smith Hall (Old Main, Second Floor)
2/14	MOVIE: Onmyoji II (Smith Hall: Old Main, Second Floor) RCJ: 107-133 (Chapter 5)
2/17	MOVIE: Onmyoji II (Smith Hall: Old Main, Second Floor) A Portrait of Abe no Seimei • Yumemakura Baku’s Oni  (BB/Readings)
2/19	Kamakura Buddhism: Pure Land IJR: 121-134, 35-38 • SJT: 205-230 • Nembutsu
2/21	Kamakura Buddhism: Nichiren IJR: 134-139, 39-41 • SJT: 292-305 • Daimoku
2/23	NICHIREN TEMPLE VISIT (9:45-11:45 am) 1S100 Route 59, West Chicago, IL 60185 • 630-293-5235
2/24	Kamakura Buddhism: Zen IJR: 142-152, 38-39 • SJT: 306-328 • Eiheiji • “Onmyoji II” Paper
2/26	VIDEO: The Principles and Practice of Zen Japanese Zen Buddhist Philosophy
2/26	Contemplative Event: Christian Labyrinth Meditation 4:15 and 4:45 PM @ Stevenson Hall (Wentz Science Center, Second Floor)
2/28	Zen and Japanese Culture IJR: 152-165 • SJT: 364-372, 387-388 • Archery • Rock Gardens • Calligraphy • Noh • Temple Visit Paper
3/2-3/6	SPRING BREAK
3/9	The Japanese Tea Ceremony SJT: 388-398 • Zen and the Art of Tea
3/10	Contemplative Event: Buddhist Meditation 12:00-1:00 PM @ Smith Hall (Old Main, Second Floor)
3/11	The Medieval Period SWH: 92-103 • SJT: 336-348, 358-363 • Honji Suijaku
3/13	Religion in the Edo Period IJR: 168-185 , 41-42• SWH: 103-118 • Ise Shrine
3/16	Zen, Death and the Ancestors RCJ: 77-106 (Chapter 4) • IJR: 53-54
3/18	The Meiji Restoration: Shinto and the State IJR: 188-205 • SWH: 119-140
3/20	MOVIE: The Great Yokai War (G 20) • Yokai: Fantastic Creatures of Japanese Folklore • Kirin • Yasunori Kato • Yomotsumono • Sunekosuri • Kawahime • Shojo • Kappa • Daitengu • Ippondatara • Nurarihyon • Azuki Arai
3/23	MOVIE: The Great Yokai War (G 20) Murtuary Rites for Inanimate Objects: The Case of Hari Kuyo
3/25	The “New Religions” IJR: 208-228, 42-43 • Tenrikyo • Tenrikyo Song/Dance • Soka Gakkai
3/26	Contemplative Event: Mindfulness Meditation 4:00-5:00 PM @ Smith Hall (Old Main, Second Floor)
3/27	Spirits, Satellites and a User-Friendly Religion: Agonshu and the New Religions RCJ: 194-233 (Chapter 8)
3/30	Religion in Postwar Japan IJR: 232-252, 43-53 • SWH: 140-147 • “The Great Yokai War” Paper
4/1	Sites and Sights: Temples and Shrines as Centers of Power and Enlightenment RCJ: 134-167 (Chapter 6)
4/2	Contemplative Event: Hindu Meditation 12:00-1:00 PM @ Heininger Auditorium (Larrance Academic Center)
4/3	Actions, Amulets and the Expression of Meaning: Reflections of Need and Statements of Desire RCJ: 168-193 (Chapter 7)
4/6	Pilgrimages Onmark/Pilgrimage 1 • Onmark/Pilgrimage 2 • Ohenro
4/8	Nishida Kitaro and the Kyoto School of Philosophy An Inquiry into the Good: 3-29, 158-166
4/10	GOOD FRIDAY: AFTERNOON CLASSES CANCELED
4/13	MOVIE: Jiro Dreams of Sushi Dogen’s Instructions for the Tenzo • B5R: “Earth” and “Water”
4/15	MOVIE: Jiro Dreams of Sushi (Continued) B5R: “Fire,” “Wind,” “Emptiness” and “Afterword”
4/17	HONOR’S DAY: CLASS CANCELED
4/20	Shugendo: An Exemplification of “The Synthesis of Buddhism and Shinto” (Shinbutsu-shugo) IJR: 115-118 • Shugendo • Onmark/Shugendo • Shugendo Rituals
4/22	Conclusions: Religious Pluralism and Practical Benefits SWH: 148-170 • RCJ: 234-243 (Conclusion) • “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” Paper • Contemplative Event Paper?