Unexamined Zen: Challenges from Dōgen's Zen Buddhism
Abstract The traditional narrative of Zen Buddhism focuses on a religious experience that goes beyond words and concepts. I argue that Dōgen's understanding of enlightenment is not limited to a religious experience, as it involves a creative process of Buddha-making that demands the flexibility...
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| Published in | Journal of Chinese philosophy Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 358 - 370 |
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| Main Author | |
| Format | Journal Article |
| Language | English |
| Published |
Leiden | Boston
Brill
04.03.2024
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| Online Access | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Abstract
The traditional narrative of Zen Buddhism focuses on a religious experience that goes beyond words and concepts. I argue that Dōgen's understanding of enlightenment is not limited to a religious experience, as it involves a creative process of Buddha-making that demands the flexibility to present a novel expression of the Buddha way with the transiency of the impermanent world. In arguing for the processual understanding of the Buddha way and enlightenment, I refer to the fluidity of dao in Chinese philosophy to shed light upon the significance of creativity in authentic practice. By doing so, I explain why an unexamined Zen is problematic for Dōgen. |
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| ISSN: | 0301-8121 1540-6253 |
| DOI: | 10.1163/15406253-12340121 |