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Koan as Ritual: The Role of Language in Zen Discourse |
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Abstract:
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Zen Buddhism is known to attach great importance to the traditional notion of ˇ°No dependence on words and lettersˇ± and ˇ°a special transmission outside the teachings.ˇ± Assuming this heritage, many ancient Zen masters in China and Japan are recorded to have adopted illogical use of language in their communication with disciples. Research has been done to interpret the nature and role of language in Zen discourse. Olson (2000) claims that in Zen Buddhism, language assumes an ancillary position to experience. A number of other studies define Zen experience as either transcending or denying language. Still others discuss Zen discourse in relation to mysticism. These interpretations and approaches, insightful and valuable as they are, are limited in that they fall short of specificity.
My central contention is that the nature and role of language in Zen discourse are best understood essentially within its religious context of mysticism, with particular attention to its communicative and ritual dimensions. My approach to this issue is to focus on koan, as it ˇ°may be the most condensed and self-conscious linguistic practice ever devised in any culture,ˇ± (Wright, 1989, p. 81) thus epitomizing the essential characteristics of Zen discourse. So, a better strategy to understand the nature and role of language in koan consists of the notion of koan as a communication act and the ritualistic dimension of koan. With this approach as the starting point, a more appropriate understanding of language in koan and Zen discourse can be achieved. |
Most Common Document Word Stems:
languag (160), zen (128), communic (62), discours (60), role (49), koan (44), context (40), ritual (38), experi (33), p (32), mystic (32), discipl (25), interpret (24), master (23), use (21), natur (20), practic (19), buddhism (18), function (17), import (16), also (13), |
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Association:
Name: International Communication Association
URL: http://www.icahdq.org
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Citation:
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MLA Citation:
| Zhou, Liuning. "Koan as Ritual: The Role of Language in Zen Discourse" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Marriott Hotel, San Diego, CA, May 27, 2003 <Not Available>. 2009-05-26 <http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p112085_index.html> |
APA Citation:
| Zhou, L. , 2003-05-27 "Koan as Ritual: The Role of Language in Zen Discourse" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Marriott Hotel, San Diego, CA Online <.PDF>. 2009-05-26 from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p112085_index.html |
Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Zen Buddhism is known to attach great importance to the traditional notion of ˇ°No dependence on words and lettersˇ± and ˇ°a special transmission outside the teachings.ˇ± Assuming this heritage, many ancient Zen masters in China and Japan are recorded to have adopted illogical use of language in their communication with disciples. Research has been done to interpret the nature and role of language in Zen discourse. Olson (2000) claims that in Zen Buddhism, language assumes an ancillary position to experience. A number of other studies define Zen experience as either transcending or denying language. Still others discuss Zen discourse in relation to mysticism. These interpretations and approaches, insightful and valuable as they are, are limited in that they fall short of specificity.
My central contention is that the nature and role of language in Zen discourse are best understood essentially within its religious context of mysticism, with particular attention to its communicative and ritual dimensions. My approach to this issue is to focus on koan, as it ˇ°may be the most condensed and self-conscious linguistic practice ever devised in any culture,ˇ± (Wright, 1989, p. 81) thus epitomizing the essential characteristics of Zen discourse. So, a better strategy to understand the nature and role of language in koan consists of the notion of koan as a communication act and the ritualistic dimension of koan. With this approach as the starting point, a more appropriate understanding of language in koan and Zen discourse can be achieved. |
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| Document Type: |
.PDF |
| Page count: |
18 |
| Word count: |
4827 |
| Text sample: |
| Koan as Ritual 1 Koan as Ritual 2 Introduction Zen Buddhism is known to attach great importance to the traditional notion of “No dependence on words and letters” and “a special transmission outside the teachings.” (Sekkei 1993 p. 90) Assuming this heritage many ancient Zen masters in China and Japan are recorded to have adopted illogical use of language in their communication with disciples. This practice is most explicitly demonstrated in the dialogical encounters between the master and the |
| and Movement as Communication Media. The Journal of Communication and Religion 10 (2) 9-17. Koan as Ritual 18 Streng F. J. (1978). Language and Mystical Awareness. In S. T. Katz (Ed.) Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis (pp. 141-169). New York: Oxford University Press. Suzuki D. T. (1964). An introduction to Zen Buddhism. New York: Grove Weidenfeld. Suzuki D. T. Fromm E. & Martino R. De (1960). Zen Buddhism and Psychoanalysis. New York: Harper & Row. Wright D. S. (1992). Rethinking |
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