ME6219: The Ch’an School

ME6219 The Ch’an (Dhyāna) School – A Historical Survey

This course is a historical survey of the Ch’an (Dhyāna) school of Chinese Buddhism, one of the most influential Buddhist schools in China. The survey includes the most important periods in the development of this school, such as the introduction of Patriarch Ch’an into China for the first time, the establishment of Patriarch Ch’an as a separate School, and the divisions of Patriarch Ch’an over time. It will also outline the special features of the Patriarch Ch’an of each different major sub-school or lineage. Representative Ch’an masters or Patriarchs (including their biography, doctrines, method of teaching, influences etc.) of each important period will be discussed with reference to the historical background. This course is given in Chinese language.