Search Our Essay Database

Zen Essays and Research Papers

Instructions for Zen College Essay Examples

Title: Zen mind Beginner's mind

Total Pages: 7 Words: 2454 Sources: 0 Citation Style: APA Document Type: Essay

Essay Instructions: One basic task in this assignment is to make sense of some challenging idea from the readings.

The other basic task is to show how some challenging passage(s) in Suzuki’s Zen Mind, and some passages from earlier course readings, are mutually illuminating. That is, show how one can better make sense of difficult passages in Suzuki’s writings if one understands some ideas from earlier Hindu/Buddhist writings. Or, conversely, show how some passages in Suzuki’s book might help a modern person make sense difficult ideas from earlier Hindu/Buddhist writings.

"Making sense" means (a) saying how it would concretely change a person’s life or attitudes if they accepted a particular Buddhist idea, and (2) giving good reasons why a sensible person today might continue to take this idea seriously. This means avoiding strategies beginning students frequently use to show that Buddhist teachings do not make sense. Click here for a description of these strategies, and opposite strategies helpful in interpreting Buddhism in a way that does make sense.

Address yourself to someone unfamiliar with this tradition. Show your own ability to make sense of difficult ideas in the course readings, by your ability to explain these ideas in your own words -- for example by making up your own examples, images, and comparisons.

Focus your paper on a single topic, or a closely related set of topics. Of course a good explanation will bring in other ideas to explain this central topic, but keep the paper focused and organized. Do not briefly describe many Buddhist ideas without attempting to relate them to each other and organize them around some single theme.

I give you credit for choosing a challenging topic, something relatively difficult to make sense of. Push yourself. Pick a topic that is on the edge of your own abilities to make sense of, so you will learn something from writing the paper; the paper will help you make sense of something.

Draw on ideas from the readings, but if you just repeat words from the readings, I can't tell how well you understand the ideas. Give some explanations in your own words, make up your own examples and images, etc.

Do not write about karma and reincarnation.

Do not draw on sources other than the assigned readings. This is not a research paper. Do not avoid personal grappling with difficult ideas in the course readings by repeating information you have learned from elsewhere.

Even if you have difficulty expressing yourself in English, write in your own words. As long as I can understand the ideas you are trying to express, poor English grammar will not bring your grade down. Keep in mind University rules against Plagiarism.
There are faxes for this order.

Excerpt From Essay:

Title: Zen and Haiku

Total Pages: 8 Words: 2298 References: 0 Citation Style: MLA Document Type: Research Paper

Essay Instructions: Using the book ZEN AND JAPANESE CULTURE by Daisetz T. Suzuki as a primary souce, create a thesis statement around Zen's influence on the art of Haiku in Japan before the end of the Tokugawa era.

Excerpt From Essay:

Title: Japanese Religion

Total Pages: 9 Words: 3475 Works Cited: 9 Citation Style: APA Document Type: Essay

Essay Instructions: At least three pages for each of the questions. Sources have to come from those stated below or those uploaded.

1. Discuss the aims of the various Zen Buddhisms in Japan, the procedures used to reach that aim, internal contradictions and how they left an impact on Japanese Culture

2. Discuss (don’t simply give) various factors (pros and cons) entering into the success and failure of Christianity in the 16th and 17th century Japan.

3. Identify and discuss three aspects of Japanese religion that challenge your default categories of religion in general

Sources:

Japanese Religion: Unity and Diversity -- Earhart, Byron
Zen Action, Zen Person -- Kasulis, Tom
Religion in the Japanese Experience: Sources and Interpretations -- Earhart, Byron
Tokugawa Ideology -- Ooms, Herman
Imperial Politics and Symbolics in Ancient Japan -- Ooms, Herman
There are faxes for this order.

Excerpt From Essay:

Title: ZEN Buddhism research essay

Total Pages: 8 Words: 2405 Bibliography: 0 Citation Style: MLA Document Type: Research Paper

Essay Instructions: About 2.500words.
Topic is Cha'an/Zen Buddhism's development, pracrices, ideas; focus on practices and meaning of rituals (without expanding much on how it was brought to Japan, US or other countries).
Scholorly sourses needed: some primary and secondary sources; some quotations, footnotes.MLA style.
As this is a research paper, not just mere description but a stronger thesis needed. The critical view should be included reflecting balanced judgement based on (or responding to)the research presented. Thank you.

Excerpt From Essay:

Request A Custom Essay On This Topic

Testimonials

I really do appreciate HelpMyEssay.com. I'm not a good writer and the service really gets me going in the right direction. The staff gets back to me quickly with any concerns that I might have and they are always on time.

Tiffany R

I have had all positive experiences with HelpMyEssay.com. I will recommend your service to everyone I know. Thank you!

Charlotte H

I am finished with school thanks to HelpMyEssay.com. They really did help me graduate college..

Bill K