The following texts are required for the course:
 

required texts:  Richard Bernstein, 2000 , The Ultimate Journey Random House. (You will only be required to read chapters 1-8 his journey in China but you are encouraged to finish the story of his trip in India) Kherdian, David, 1992, Monkey: A Journey to the West, Boston, Shambala. online Reserve: "Biography of Tripitaka (Xuanzang)" (blackboard) "The Buddhist Religion: Historical Introduction" (blackboard) "Supernatural Retribution and Human destiny" (blackboard) "The Journey" (blackboard) "Laotzi" "Inner cultivation"  "Yellow Court" "Imperial rites" "Guanshiyin" "Scripture in 42 Sections" "Examinations" "Examination Hell" "Eight-legged Essay" These additional readings can be found through a link or on blackboard and they are required and will be tested. Recommended:Wriggins, S., 1996, Xuanzhang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road, Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Wu, Ching En, 1990, A Journey to the West, trans, W.J.F. Jenner, Beijing: Foreign Languages Press. Robert E. Gamer, ed., Understanding Contemporary China, 2nd edition,  Lynne Reiner Pub. 2003.

The Ultimate Journey,  Richard Bernstein's book is a travelog of his journey following the footsteps of Xuanzhang. He talks about the places as Xuanzhang saw them and as he sees them today.  He discusses his reponses to the present and to the past of this historic trip.

Monkey, A Journey to the Westis a novel derived from folktales based on Xuanzhang's journey which provides us with a way to compare the different philosophies in China.  This is not a complete translation of the Ming dynasty text but edited with an eye toward the interests of Western readers.  

Religions of China in Practice is a compendium of articles on various aspects of Chinese religions: popular religion, Buddhism, Daoism, state religion.  It will provide basic information and current research on religion in the past and present.  Selections of this reader are required reading for the course.  Be sure to access them through the Polycat.

Xuanzhang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road follows the travels of the priest Xuanzhang along the Silk Road and gives information on the life of the man who made such a arduous journey.

Understanding Contemporary China, is a compilation of articles that discuss various topics that will help you understand the current issues in China today.

You will be required to read Monkey, A Journey to the West and Bernstein's The Ultimate Journey. You will be required to read sections from the Religions of China through the online reserve of Kennedy library.  You will be tested on these. You will not be required to read all of the book but it is an excellent introduction to Chinese religion and philosophy and highly recommended. It will  help you to understand some of the things mentioned in the story that are not explained as everyone in China knows it.

Some suggested works on Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism

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