Buddhist Analysis Paper and Rubric

The paper should be at least seven to ten pages long and double spaced. This is an
exercise in close reading and analysis of the material. Please see the rubric below to see
what I am looking for in this paper. This paper will be broken down into a number of
different components to be worked on separately for a intensive writing program.

PART ONE: The first component is ideas about your paper topic (due Oct. 22).
This will be produced from your brainstorming session the week before. Here
you will bring out all the different ideas you have given the possible paper topic
you have chosen from the list below. It should be partially organized according to
the topic and the types of questions you are interested in.

PART TWO: The second component is the paper outline (due Oct. 29). The outline will
be a second look at your topic and ideas and a first attempt to put these into an
organized format. We will work on these in class as well.

PART THREE: The third part is the introduction and first couple of pages of your paper
(due November 10). After I have read them we will work on editing them in class
in small groups.

PART FOUR: The first draft can be turned in any time after part three. If there are no
problems with Part Three then try to get this draft in as quickly as possible for
feedback. I would like to be able to sit down with everyone individually for a last
look at these drafts.

PART FIVE: Final draft is due December 3. You have the entire Thanksgiving Break to
put all this work together and clean it up to hand in before the last week of class.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF TOPICS FOR THE PAPER:

1. How does the Buddha’s biography relate to his teachings, the community of
monks, Buddhist art, and or the development of Buddhism? This paper is about
story telling and why narrative is so useful in the dissemination of ideas. Use
Strong Chapters 1, 2, 3. Look at an image of the Buddha from early Buddhism,
what does this image suggest about the Buddha’s story? Please include this
image in the paper

2. Discuss the development and changes of Buddhist doctrine using the figure of the
Buddha. How is he conceived in Early Buddhism, Mahayana and Vajrayana?
This paper is about focusing on just the Buddha and watching what happens to
him over time. Use Strong Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5. Look at an image of the Buddha
from Indian Buddhism, what does this image suggest about the development of
doctrine in India? Please include this image in the paper
 3. Explain the reasons why Mahayana Buddhism became the accepted doctrine in
East Asia rather than Theravada or Vajrayana. This paper is about cultural
comparison – how and why do different places conceive of things differently. Use
Strong Chapters 4, 5. 8. 9. Look at an image of the Buddha from East Asian
Buddhism, what does this image suggest about the development of doctrine in
outside of India? Please include this image in the paper

4. Explain the contrast between two forms of Buddhism (i.e. Theravada and Zen).
Which adheres to the Buddha’s message more closely? This paper is a
comparison between two historical forms and the attempt to match one to your
conception of Buddhism. Use Strong Chapters based on your comparison such as
6-7, 6-8, 6-9. 7-8, 7-9. Look at two images from the areas you are writing about
and examine the distinct differences. Please include this image in the paper

5. Explain the overall transformation of Buddhist thought from the early

philosophical analysis and what is was used for, to the later mystical experience
of nonduality in Zen thought. Use Strong Chapters 3, 9. Look at an image from
Japanese calligraphy, flower arrangement or some zen image and examine how
this reflects a non-dual understanding of reality. Please include this image in the
paper.

Please avoid ‘new age’ jargon in any form of writing. You

must be able to support all claims made in your paper.
Remember there are no ‘truisms’ when it comes to
interpretation.
Examples of jargon:
- becoming one with everything/god/reality
- becoming calm and peaceful/at peace with oneself/world
- filled with emptiness
- we are nothing/everything/universe
- happy/peace/relaxed

BUDDHIST PAPER RUBRIC

Buddhist Experience Writing Rubric

F=1 D=2 C=3 B=4 A=5

Analysis and The paper The paper The paper The paper In an analysis
Interpretation does not does not partially does analyze paper one
attempt to analyze at analyzes but is not must isolate
follow the all but some comprehensive and discuss a
assignment. simply material, but or consistent. topic. One
summarizes often returns must ask
the to A grade of questions of
research. summarizing. “B” means the material,
that you have be able to
A grade of moved beyond distinguish
‘C’ means the basic supported
that you have overview and points from
done the bare attempted to rhetoric or
minimum. struggle with opinion,
ideas and present
questions support for
about the the evidence
topic. given of one’s
views on the
material and
come to a
conclusion
that offers the
reader a
richer
understanding
of the topic.

Context The paper The paper The paper Paper Paper places
shows a lack mentions glosses the mentions the the topic in its
of historical something historical historical country, time
awareness. minor about period. period but period and in
the context. does not conversation
discuss in with the
detail. thinking of the
period.
Language The paper The paper The paper The paper is The paper
uses slang or avoids using sometimes aware of the consistently
other actual uses specific uses the Pali
inappropriate Buddhist appropriate languages or Sanskrit
language and words in terms and used in terms
does not have favor of concepts but Buddhist correctly and
an awareness English is discourse. defines terms
of actual translations. inconsistent. when
Buddhist necessary.
discourse.
Organization The paper is The paper There is There are still The paper is a
and disorganized has severe some logic to some gaps in polished
Grammar and difficult coherence, the coherence and document that
to follow. transition organization some minor shows strong
or grammar of the paper, grammatical editing skills
problems. but there are flaws. and very
consistent minor
grammatical mistakes if
mistakes. any.