Examines Japanese religious traditions, with a focus on Zen, through the perspective of people living in non-Japanese societies since the end of World War II. Explores different ways in which non-Japanese have imagined Japanese religious and ethical ideas and both explained Japanese behavior and adopted ideas about Japan into their writings about philosophy and life. Only one of the following may be counted: Asian Studies 340 (Topic: Japanese Religion and Western Imagination), 340C, Anthropology 324D, 324L (Topic: Japanese Religion and Western Imagination), Religious Studies 352 (Topic: Japanese Religion and Western Imagination), 352D. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.