Zen and the Modern World: A Third Sequel to Zen and Western Thought. Dieser Artikel ist nicht verfügbar.Zen and the Modern World: A Third Sequel to Zen and Western Thought

Written by one of Japan's foremost contemporary thinkers and scholars, Zen and Modern Society is the third in a series of essay collections on Zen Buddhism as seen in the context of Western thought. Throughout his career, Masao Abe has articulated the meaning of Zen thought in a uniquely compelling way - at once, true to the original tradition and appropriately relevant to a variety of comparative standpoints, ranging from Biblical Judeo-Christianity to modern existentialism, phenomenology, and postmodernism. As a leading representative of the Kyoto School, which has sought a critical, comparative linking of Eastern and Western thought, Abe has based his approach on constructive, mutually respectful yet critical intellectual interaction and dialogue with some of the leading figures in the West (including Paul Tillich, Hans Kung, and Eugene Borowitz) as well as dozens of colleagues, students, and disciples. Together with the previous volumes, this work examines and exemplifies some key features of Kyoto School thought. While the essays presented here should be read in light of the socio-political criticism that has since been lodged against the Kyoto School and, more particularly, its founder Nishida Kitaro, most of them were written prior to the recent discussions and focus on issues of comparative philosophy and religious thought outside the contours of the debate. This should not, however, limit their approach to the earlier historical context.

Masao Abe's first book published in English, Zen and Western Thought (edited by William LaFleur), received the American Academy of Religion's Award for Excellence. Abe is also the author of two sequels, Buddhism and Interfaith Dialogue and Zen and Comparative Studies, both edited by Steven Heine. Steven Heine is professor of religious studies and history and director of the Institute for Asian Studies, Florida International University.