Abstract
The paper reveals that the theory of "Emptiness" is a core element of the Ch'an ("Meditation School") Buddhist tradition. This paper explores this concept, its origins in the tradition, and the approaches developed to arrive at this state. The paper demonstrates how the denial of conceptual thinking that underlies this "emptiness" is central to the theory and practice of Ch'an/Zen Buddhism. The paper looks at how scholars have long noted that the denial of reasoned conceptual thinking is the most characteristic feature of Ch'an/Zen Buddhism.

From the Paper
"The theory of "Emptiness" is a core element of the Ch'an ("Meditation School") Buddhist tradition. This essay will explore this concept, its origins in the tradition, and the approaches developed to arrive at this state. As will be seen, the denial of conceptual thinking that underlies this "Emptiness" is central to the theory and practice of Ch'an/Zen Buddhism. Scholars have long noted that the denial of reasoned conceptual thinking is the most characteristic feature of Ch'an / Zen Buddhism:..."

Tags:buddhism, ch'an, zen

Abstract
This paper examines the various reforms of the pre-eminent eleventh-century statesman from China: Wang An-Shi. The paper is written in the form of an encyclopedia entry and discusses his changes to the bureaucracy - including his demand for greater morality and improved professional conduct - as well as how he sought to help small business owners (merchants) and farmers.

From the Paper
"Wang An-Shi set about reforming China in a number of ways. Firstly, the bureaucracy was taken to task for its lack of loyalty, its disregard for financial probity and integrity, and for its curious disinterest in personal honor. Wang also took the time - so far as he was able - to strengthen the army, believing that both improved moral conduct among the mandarins and a strong state were essential to long-term success and stability. All in all, while mostly pragmatic and utilitarian, Wang appeared to privilege moral improvement as the ultimate goal of government reform - and as the ultimate guarantor of strong government."

Tags:wang, an, shi

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that in the award-winning documentary, 'An Inconvenient Truth', former Vice-President Al Gore explains the magnitude and consequences of the global warming crisis, but he also offers encouragement, and promises the possibility of resolution. The writer discusses this documentary regarding the global crisis.

From the Paper
"His narration is passionate but factual as he describes how and why this global crisis has developed, and calls for unified action to deal with it. This courageous and compelling documentary fully deserves the Academy Award it won last spring and the attention it has received, for humanity is indeed facing a crisis and the immediate action called for in 'An Inconvenient Truth' is an absolute necessity. "

Tags:an, inconvenient, truth

Abstract
This paper discusses Al Gore's Oscar winning documentary film about global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth," explaining its assertions and the impact on the writer. The paper discusses the urgency expressed in the movie.

From the Paper
"Former Vice President Al Gore teamed up with director Davis Guggenheim to create the movie "An Inconvenient Truth", an informative documentary on global warming that begins with a breathtaking look at the planet Earth from the moon, taken on Christmas Eve. This is contrasted with the most recent photo of Earth taken by a human being in space, showing the reduction in polar ice caps and the encroachment of the oceans on land masses. Augmented by a composite of photos taken by..."

Tags:Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, global warming, film, documentary

Abstract
This paper explores the motivating forces behind Clyde Griffith's decidedly antisocial actions in Theodore Dreiser's novel, "An American Tragedy". The paper shows that Griffith's poor religious upbringing, his lack of a formal education, and his observation that money buys happiness, ultimately lead to his downfall.

From the Paper
"Sin is most often exponential in nature one hardly embarks on a lifetime of crime with a murder or rape; rather, a series of inconsequential slips that so often lead to one's downfall. The same is true in the case of Clyde Griffiths. By attempts at justification and rationalization of his first crime. "What difference did it make if he stayed out late?. Wasn't he a man now, making more money than anyone else in the family? Couldn't he begin to do as he pleased (56)?" his road to sin and death became wider and more appealing."

Tags:Kansas, Roberta, Sondra

Abstract
This paper explains that Theodore Dreiser's novel, "An American Tragedy," describes the life and eventual downfall of a young and ambitious Clyde Griffiths, as well as events in Dreiser's own life. The author points out that, throughout the novel, the reader learns of Clyde's unusual childhood, as well as the other events leading up to his misdeeds. The paper summarizes that Dreiser depicts a crime motivated by the pursuit of the American dream, which, in the end, reveals itself to be only an illusion.

From the Paper
"Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Theodore Dreiser grew up poor in an extremely religious family, causing his fascination with the wealthy in his town. His adolescence was very similar to that of Clyde Griffiths, the novel's main character. Dreiser's father was "a fervent Catholic" who, like Asa and Elvira Griffiths, "never stopped preaching rectitude and self-control to his children, but his guidance was of little practical help." Escaping his rigid conservative family life, Dreiser moved to Chicago eventually landing his first job as a reporter for the Chicago Globe. He continued working as a reporter for varying newspapers, and published his first novel Sister Carrie."

Tags:ambitious, character, childhood, murder, society

Abstract
This paper reviews Henry James' "An International Episode" about the interaction of Americans with Europeans. It uses extracts from the text and comparisons with Henry James' other works to show that the images in "An International Episode" tend to concentrate on literal images with very few perceptual or conceptual images. It also discusses how there are also numerous comparisons and contrasts to be made with another of his works "The American Scene".

From the Paper
"James is apt to use heat and light (or their opposites) for images of New York in The American Scene. This is also the same in An International Episoe. New York is, variously: ?fervid (temperature)?; crude (light); and "insufferably hot". These negative images are explicitly replicated through phrases such as "that tiresome New York" (An International Episode 61). It is quite unusual for James to use negative images of New York for this period since, as is the case in Washington Square, he was generally rather fond of New York up until his last visit there in his twilight years. Thus, An International Episode, differs significantly from The Jolly Corner, which is almost autobiographical at times."

Tags:freud, imagery, lacan, europeans, london

Abstract
An examination of Randolph Campbell's book, "An Empire for Slavery". The paper discusses the book which looks at the history of slavery in Texas. The author gives an overview of the main points in the book and illustrates how Campbell commands an impressive amount of data to prove his thesis. Campbell's cultural and statistical contributions to this issue are mentioned.

From the Paper
"Randolph Campbell's book An Empire for Slavery, details the specific nature of the history of slavery in the state of Texas, the youngest slaveholding state in the Southern part of the Union. It is common to view "the peculiar institution," as its practitioners, according to Campbell, often called it, as simply uniquely Southern institution. However, Campbell makes it clear that slavery was not simply a Southern institution, but a specific series of practices that existed within a unique cultural context in every state where it was practiced. Texas is a particularly interesting case, Campbell suggests, because in Texas, there were threatened and ineffectual attempts by both Spanish and later the state government of Texas prohibit the practice of slavery on a mass level. Texas had existed as an independent country and thus had its own history apart from the rest of the more genteel South, supposedly. Texans clearly identified themselves as frontier dwellers, rather than inhabitants of an agricultural, aristocratic elite. However, because of the richness of the Texas soil, the use of slaves proved too tempting to be ignored. Slavery spread rapidly, although contemporary Texans would often wish to forget this."

Tags:slave, Texas, Randolph, Campbell, peculiar, institution

Abstract
This paper is a critical summary of the book "An American Tragedy" by noted author Theodore Dreiser. There is a brief summary and a description of the writing style used by Dreiser.

Abstract
This three-page undergraduate research paper examines the relationship of the adolescent and adult selves of the protagonist in the short story, "An Ounce of Cure" by Alice Munro.