carl w. bielefeldt | curriculum vitae

Department of Religious Studies
Building 70, Main Quad
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-2165
Tel. (650) 723-3322
email: carl@stanford.edu

Education

Degrees

Ph.D. (Buddhist studies), University of California, Berkeley, 1980
M.A. (Asian studies), University of California, Berkeley, 1972
B.A. (philosophy), San Francisco State College, 1966

Other graduate study

Jinbun Kagaku Kenkyūjo [Research Institute for Humanistic Studies], Kyoto University, 1976-78
Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies, Tokyo, 1972-73
Kokusaibu [International Division], Waseda University, Tokyo, 1967-68

 Professional Appointments

Teaching

Department of Religious Studies, Stanford University: Evans-Wentz Professor of Oriental Philosophies, Religions, and Ethics, 2008-; Professor, 1997-2008; Associate Professor, 1988-1997; Assistant Professor, 1980-88
Department of Religious Studies, University of Virginia: Acting Assistant Professor, East Asian religion, 1978-80

Visiting

Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University:  Numata Visiting Professor, 2000

Research

Bukkyōgakubu [Faculty of Buddhism], Komazawa University, Tokyo: Visiting Scholar, 1991-92
Bungakubu [Faculty of Letters], Kyoto University: Visiting Scholar, 1985-86
Center for Japanese Studies, University of California, Berkeley: Postdoctoral Fellow, 1982-83

Professional Organizations and Service

American Academy of Religion, American Oriental Society, Association for Asian Studies, European Association of Japanese Studies, International Association of Buddhist Studies, Society for the Study of Chinese Religion, Society of Tantric Studies, Zen Kenkyūjo [Zen Research Institute, Komazawa University]
Co-Director, Ho Center for Buddhist Studies at Stanford
Editor-in-Chief, Sōtō Zen Text Project
Publication Committee, Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai
Editorial Board, Berkeley Buddhist Studies Series (University of California)
Editorial Board, Studies in Buddhist Traditions Series (University of Michigan)
Editorial Board, Journal of Buddhist Literature (University of Indiana)
Editorial Board, Pure Land Buddhist Studies Series (Institute of Buddhist Studies)
Advisory Board, Zenkōji Scholarship Foundation

Fellowships and Awards

Research Center for Sōtō Zen Texts, 1996-
Fulbright, 1991
Social Science Research Council, 1991, 1976
American Association of University Presses, Japan Foundation Arisawa Prize (for Dōgen’s Manuals of Zen Meditation), 1990
Center for Research in International Studies, Stanford University, 1985, 1982
Pew Memorial Trust, Stanford University, 1985
National Endowment for the Humanities (summer grant), 1985
Center for Japanese Studies Postdoc, University of California, Berkeley, 1982
Association for Asian Studies (travel grant), 1979
Japan Foundation, 1976
Japan Fund, 1975
National Defense Foreign Language Program, 1970-74

Recent Presentations

“Soto Zen in North America.”  Zenshuji, 2011
“Dōgen’s Buddhist World.”  Zen Mountain Monastery, 2011
“The Shōbōgenzō Then and Now:  Reflections on the Historical Character of Dōgen’s Buddhism.”  La Gendronniére, France, 2010.
“Reading the Shōbōgenzō,” Yōkōji Zen Mountain Center, 2010.
Respondent, conference on “Tracing Japanese Buddhism,” UC Berkeley, 2009.
Commentator, “Enlightenment Guaranteed,” ICA International Film Festival, Stanford, 2009.
Panelist, Council on Translation of Buddhist Sūtras, Los Angeles, 2009.
Convener and moderator, conference on “Zen Practice at Fifty,” San Francisco and Berkeley, 2009.
“The Mountains and Waters Sutra.”  Institute of Buddhist Studies, 2008.
Moderator, UC/Stanford Buddhist Studies Graduate Student Conference, Asilomar, 2008.
Convener and moderator, workshop on “Storied Places:  Locating Asian Religious Narratives,” Stanford, 2008.
Panelist, symposium on “Interface/Interaction:  Shin Buddhism and North American Society,” Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley, 2007.
“In the Waters of Zen:  Reflections on Translating an Old Book.”  Stanford University, 2007.
Panelist, conference on “Wither Buddhist Studies,” University of Toronto, 2007.
“Scripture as Script:  The Performance of the Lotus Sutra in Medieval Japan.”  Workshop on “The Practice of History in Asian Religions,” Colegio de Mexico, 2006.
Panelist, Society for the Study of Japanese Religions, San Francisco, 2006.

Publications

Treasury of the True Dharma Eye:  An Annotated Translation of the 75-Fascicle Redaction of the Shōbōgenzō by Dōgen.  In preparation.

“Finding Dōgen in Gary Snyder’s Mountains and Rivers Without End.”  In Richard Payne, ed., Festschrift for Lewis Lancaster (working title).  Forthcoming.

“Shōbōgenzō uji 正法眼藏有時:  Being Time.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 30 (Autumn, 2012).  In press.

“Shōbōgenzō kannon 正法眼藏觀音:  Avalokiteśvara.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 29 (Spring, 2012).

“Disarming the Superpowers: The abhijñā in Eisai and Dōgen.”  In S. Heine, ed., Dōgen:  Textual and Historical Studies, pp. 192-206.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press, 2012.  Reprint of Dōgen zenji kenkyū ronshū 道元禅師研究論集 (2002) article.

“Shōbōgenzō shin fukatoku 正法眼藏心不可得:  The Mind Cannot Be Got.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 28 (Autumn, 2011).

“Shōbōgenzō mujō seppō 正法眼藏無情説法:  The Insentient Preach the Dharma.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 27 (Spring, 2011).

“Le Shôbôgenzô alors et maintenant” (“The Shōbōgenzō Then and Now”).  Revue Zen 93 (2010).

“Shōbōgenzō busshō 正法眼藏佛性:  Buddha Nature (Part 2).”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 26 (Autumn, 2010).

“Shōbōgenzō busshō 正法眼藏佛性:  Buddha Nature (Part 1).”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 25 (Spring, 2010).

“Expedient Devices, the One Vehicle, and the Lifespan of the Buddha.”  In J. Stone and S. Teiser, ed.  Readings of the Lotus Sutra.  NY:  Columbia University Press, 2009.

“On Translation.”  Buddhadharma (Fall, 2009).

“Shōbōgenzō henzan 正法眼藏徧參:  Extensive Study.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 24 (Autumn, 2009).

“Shōbōgenzō jippō 正法眼藏十方:  The Ten Directions.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 24 (Spring, 2009).

“Shōbōgenzō ryūgin 正法眼藏龍吟:  Song of the Dragon.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 22 (November, 2008).

“Shōbōgenzō soshi seirai i 正法眼藏祖師西來意:  The Intention of the Ancestral Master’s Coming from the West.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 22 (November, 2008).

“Shōbōgenzō hotsu bodai shin 正法眼藏發菩提心:  Giving Rise to the Mind of Bodhi.” Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 21 (March 2008).

“Shōbōgenzō hakujushi 正法眼藏柏樹子:  The Cypress Tree.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 20 (Autumn, 2007).

“Shōbōgenzō butsudō 正法眼藏佛道:  The Way of the Buddha.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 19 (March, 2007), pp. 17-27.

“Shōbōgenzō kattō 正法眼藏葛藤:  Twining Vines.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 17 (Spring 2006).

“Shōbōgenzō zanmai ō zanmai 正法眼藏三昧王三昧:  King of Samādhis Samādhi.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 18 (Autumn, 2006).

Review of Bowring, The Religious Traditions of Japan 500-1600; and Swanson and Chilson, ed., Nanzan Guide to Japanese Religions.  SSJR Bulletin Supplement 2006.

“Practice.”  In D. Lopez, ed., Critical Terms for the Study of Buddhism, pp. 229-244. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005.

“Shōbōgenzō sesshin sesshō 正法眼藏説心説性:  Talking of the Mind, Talking of the Nature.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 16 (Autumn, 2005).

“Shōbōgenzō kaiin zanmai 正法眼藏海印三昧:  The Ocean Seal Samadhi.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 14 (Summer, 2004).

Entries on “Buddhism in Japan” and “Dōgen.”  Encyclopedia of Buddhism.  NY:  Macmillan, 2003.

“Shōbōgenzō kobutsu shin 正法眼藏古佛心: The Old Buddha Mind.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 13 (Autumn, 2003), pp. 15-18.

“Shōbōgenzō tashin tsū 正法眼藏他心通:  Penetration of Other Minds.”  Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 12 (Spring, 2003) pp. 21-27.

“Disarming the Superpowers: The abhijñā in Eisai and Dōgen.”  In Dōgen zenji kenkyū ronshū 道元禅師研究論集 [Dōgen Studies], ed. by Daihonzan Eiheiji Daionki Kyoku 大本山永平寺大遠忌局, pp. 1018-1046.  Fukui-ken:  Eiheiji, 2002.

“Shōbōgenzō sansui kyō 正法眼藏山水經:  The Mountains and Waters Sutra.” Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 9 (2001), pp. 10-17.

“Circumabulating the Mountains and Waters.” Dharma Eye (Hōgen 法眼) 9 (2001), pp. 5-7.

“Sanka suru bukkyō ni mukete 参加する仏教に向けて [Toward a Participatory Buddhism].”  In Nara 奈良 and Azuma 東, ed., Dōgen no nijūisseiki [Dōgen’s Twenty-first Century], pp. 211-232.  Tokyo:  Tokyo Shoseki, 2001.  English version published as “Toward a Participatory Buddhism,” Mountain Record 21:1 (Fall 2002), pp. 28-39.

“Descriptive & Prescriptive Approaches to the Three Disciplines:  A Response to Prof. Ishigami.”  In Proceedings of the Conference on Zen and Nenbutsu, Los Angeles:  Bukkyō Daigaku, 2000.

“Living With Dōgen:  Thoughts on the Relevance of His Thought.”  Proceedings of the Symposium Dogen Zen and Its Relevance for Our Time, pp. 123-133.  Tokyo:  Sōtōshū Shūmuchō, 2000.

“Zongze:  Principles of Seated Meditation (Zuochanyi).”  In W.T. de Bary and I. Bloom, eds., Sources of Chinese Tradition, 2nd. ed., vol. 1,  pp. 522-524.  New York:  Columbia University Press, 1999.  (Originally appeared as appendix to my Dōgen’s Manuals of Zen Meditation.)

“Dōgen’s Lancet of Seated Meditation.”  In G. Tanabe, ed., Religions of Japan in Practice, pp. 220-234.  Princeton Readings in Religions.  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 1999.  (Earlier version appeared in Mountain Record 8:2 [summer-fall 1989], pp. 40-50.)

“Shōbō genzō zazen gi 正法眼藏坐禪儀:  Principles of Seated Meditation.”  Zen Quarterly 11:2-3 (1999), pp. 5-8.

“Kokan Shiren and the Sectarian Uses of History.”  In J. Mass, ed., The Origins of Japan’s Medieval World:  Courtiers, Clerics, Warriors, and Peasants in the Fourteenth Century, pp. 295-317.  Stanford:  Stanford University Press, 1998.

“Soto Zen at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century.”  Wind Bell 32:2 (1998), pp. 17-24.

“The Mountain Spirit:  Reflections on Reading the Shōbō genzō.”  In Proceedings of the International Conference on Korean Sπn Buddhism.  Seoul:  Bibaek Institute, 1998.  (Reprinted as “The Mountain Spirit:  Dōgen, Gary Snyder, and Critical Buddhism”, Zen Quarterly 11:1 [1999], pp. 18-24.)

“Commentary on A. Andrews, ‘Hōnen’s Journey from the Ōjōyōshū to the Senchakushū.'”  In Hōnen jōdokyō no sōgōteki kenkyū 法然淨土教の総合的研究 [A Comprehensive Review of the Pure Land Buddhism of Hōnen], pp. 89-92.  Kyoto:  Bukkyō Daigaku, 1998.

“Reading Others’ Minds.”  In D. Lopez, ed., Buddhism in Practice, pp. 69-79.  Princeton Readings in Religions.  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 1995.  (Earlier version appeared in The Ten Directions 13:1 [spring-summer 1992], pp. 26-34.)

“A Discussion of Seated Zen,” in D. Lopez, ed., Buddhism in Practice, pp. 197-206.  Princeton Readings in Religions.  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 1995.  (Earlier version appeared as “Enni’s Treatise on Seated Zen.”  The Ten Directions 9:1 [spring-summer 1988], pp. 7-11.)

“Filling the Zen Shū:  Notes on the Jisshū yōdō ki.”  Cahiers d’Extrême Asie 7 (1993-94), pp. 221-248.  (Reprinted in B. Faure, ed., Chan Buddhism in Ritual Context, 2003.)

Review of Gregory, Tsung-mi and the Sinification of Buddhism.  Cahiers d’Extrême Asie 7 (1993-94), pp. 446-449.

“Shōbō genzō eiyaku o kangaeru:  kaishaku to hōhōron ni tsuite 正法眼蔵英訳を考えるー解釈と方法論について [On meaning and method in translation of the Shōbō genzō].”  Sōtō shūhō 曹洞宗報 686 (11/92), pp. 72-75; 687 (12/92), pp. 82-87.  (English translation appeared in Zen Quarterly.)

“Dōgen Studies in America:  Thoughts on the State of the Field.”  Zen kenkyūjo nenpō 禅研究所年報 [Annual of the Zen Research Institute, Komazawa University] 3 (1992), endmatter pp. 1-17.  (Reprinted in Zen Quarterly 4:3 [Autumn 1992], pp. 7-12; and The Ten Directions [fall-winter 1992], pp. 20-24.)

“No-Mind and Sudden Awakening:  Thoughts on the Soteriology of a Kamakura Zen Text.”  In R. Buswell and R. Gimello, ed., Paths to Liberation:  The Mārga and Its Transformations in Buddhist Thought, pp. 475-505.  Studies in East Asian Buddhism 7.  Honolulu:  University of Hawaii Press, 1992.

“Ten Thousand Ways to Make a Buddha:  Universal and Particular in Dōgen’s Zen.”  In The Future of the Earth and Zen Buddhism, pp. 17-23.  Tokyo:  Sōtōshū Shūmuchō, 1991.  (Reprinted in Zen Quarterly 4:2 [Summer 1992], pp. 5-7.)

Review of Buswell, The Formation of Ch’an Ideology in China and Korea.  History of Religions 31:2 (11/91), p. 210.

Review of Dobbins, Jōdo Shinshū:  Shin Buddhism in Medieval Japan.  Journal of Japanese Studies 17:2 (Summer 1991), pp. 381-386.

Review of Kamens, The Three Jewels.  Journal of Religion 71:1 (1/91), pp. 128-129.”The Story of Hui-Neng.”  Wind Bell 25:2 (fall 1991), pp. 28-34.

“The One Vehicle and the Three Jewels:  On Japanese Sectarianism and Some Ecumenical Alternatives.”  Buddhist-Christian Studies 10 (1990), pp. 5-16.

Review of Tanabe and Tanabe, ed., The Lotus Sutra in Japanese Culture.  Journal of Asian Studies, 49:1 (2/90), pp. 173-175.  (Revised version appeared in Wind Bell 24 [fall 1990], pp. 21-23.)

“Putting the Cart Before the Horse:  Reflections on Enni’s Treatise on Seated Zen.”  The Ten Directions 10:1 (spring-summer 1989), pp. 7-21.

Dōgen’s Manuals of Zen Meditation.  Berkeley:  University of California Press, 1988.

“The Four Levels of pratītya-samutpāda According to the Fa-hua hsüan-i.”  Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies 11:1 (1988), pp. 7-29.

“Ch’ang-lu Tsung-tse’s Tso-ch’an i and the ‘Secret’ of Zen Meditation.”  In P. Gregory, ed., Traditions of Meditation in Chinese Buddhism, pp. 129-161.  Studies in East Asian Buddhism 4.  Honolulu:  University of Hawaii Press, 1986.

“Recarving the Dragon:  History and Dogma in the Study of Dōgen.”  In W. LaFleur, ed., Dōgen Studies, pp. 21-53.  Studies in East Asian Buddhism 2.  Honolulu:  University of Hawaii Press, 1985.

Annotated translation of Yanagida Seizan, “The Li-tai fa-pao chi and the Ch’an Doctrine of Sudden Awakening.”  In W. Lai and L. Lancaster, ed., Early Ch’an in China and Tibet, pp. 13-49.  Berkeley Buddhist Studies Series 5.  Berkeley:  Asian Humanities Press, 1983.

Review of Collcutt, Five Mountains:  The Rinzai Zen Monastic Institution in Medieval Japan.  Journal of Asian Studies 41:4 (8/82), pp. 841-843.

Review of Kodera, Dōgen’s Formative Years in China.  Journal of Asian Studies 40:2 (2/81), pp. 387-89.

Abstracts of Japanese articles on Buddhist studies.  Revue Bibliographique de Sinologie 12-13 (1980), entries 936, 941.

“Dōgen’s Shōbō genzō sansuikyō.”  In M. Tobias and H. Drasdo, ed., The Mountain Spirit, pp. 37-49.  New York:  Overlook Press, 1979.  (Reprinted in Mountain Record [winter 1986, spring 1987].)

Translation of Kajiyama Yūichi, “Mahāyāna Buddhism and the Philosophy of Prajñā.”  In A.K. Narain, ed., Studies in Pali and Buddhism, pp. 197-206.  Delhi:  B.R. Publishing, 1979.

Review of Nishimura and Stevens, Shōbōgenzō, vol. 1; Yokoi, Zen Master Dōgen; Kennett, Zen Is Eternal Life; Kim, Kigen Dōgen:  Mystical Realist.  Shambala Review 5:1-2 (Winter 1976), pp. 53-55.

Review of Shibayama, Zen Comments on the Mumonkan.  Shambala Review 4:6 (5-6/76), pp. 10-11.

“T’an ching (Platform Sutra).”  Philosophy East and West 25:2 (4/75), pp. 197-212.  (With L. Lancaster)

Review of Luk, Transmission of the Mind.  Codex Shambala 4:2 (1975), pp. 12-13.

Translation of Yokoi Kakudō, “Fundamental Understanding of Sōtō Zen Buddhism.”  Komazawa daigaku bukkyō gakubu kenkyū kiyō 駒沢大学仏教学部研究紀要 [Bulletin of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Komazawa University] 31 (3/73), pp. 1-6.  (With F. Bielefeldt)