Understanding Prajñā

Sengzhao’s «Wild Words» and the Search for Wisdom

John M. Thompson (Autor)

Buch | Hardcover

322 Seiten

2008 | New edition
Peter Lang Publishing Inc (Verlag)
978-0-8204-8826-4 (ISBN)

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Can enlightenment be attained through words? Understanding Prajñā addresses this perennial issue in the study of mysticism through the work of Sengzhao (374-414), a Buddhist scholar-monk whose essay on prajñā («wisdom») created a sensation in early medieval China. Drawing on contemporary hermeneutic theory, this book presents a close reading of Sengzhao’s work, placing it in proper context while highlighting his masterful techniques for conveying «wisdom» beyond ordinary language. Understanding Prajñā includes translations of Sengzhao’s essay and his correspondence with Liu Yimin, a «hermit-scholar» who yearned to grasp the Buddha’s sage wisdom.

The Author: John M. Thompson is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. He earned his Ph.D. in the historical and cultural study of religions from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Although specializing in Buddhism and Chinese traditions, Dr. Thompson has broad interests in the fields of religion, theology, and philosophy, and has published widely in both scholarly and popular venues. His most recent book, a basic introduction to Buddhism, is part of a six-volume set on the world’s religions.

Erscheint lt. Verlag	26.8.2008
Reihe/Serie	American University Studies ; 256
	American University Studies ; 256
	American University Studies - Series VII: Theology and Religion ; 256
Sprache	englisch
Maße	160 x 230 mm
Gewicht	600 g
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie
	Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Buddhismus
	Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Weitere Religionen
	Geisteswissenschaften ► Sprach- / Literaturwissenschaft ► Anglistik / Amerikanistik
	Geisteswissenschaften ► Sprach- / Literaturwissenschaft ► Literaturwissenschaft
ISBN-10	0-8204-8826-7 / 0820488267
ISBN-13	978-0-8204-8826-4 / 9780820488264
Zustand	Neuware