Zen and Culture

Author: Ji Xianlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: "Wild Solitary Talks on Zen" suggests that it is better to ride a horse on one's own head than to let others do it. I have never believed in any religion, including Buddhism. Why then study Buddhism? Without studying the influence of Buddhism on Chinese culture, one cannot write a true history of Chinese philosophy, Chinese thought, or Chinese culture. To be more specific, one cannot write the history of Chinese painting, Chinese language, Chinese phonology, Chinese architecture, Chinese music, Chinese dance, and so on. All languages in the world have varying degrees of ambiguity, and Chinese is particularly ambiguous. Chinese Zen emphasizes meditation and the use of paradoxical language, which is inherently obscure and ambiguous. Coupled with the vague and ambiguous language of China, it is a perfect match. Ambiguous and vague language is more charming and suggestive than clear and explicit language.