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Buddhism and Linguistics pp 35–54Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

The Finger and the Moon: Language, Reality, and Interpretation in Zen Buddhism

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Abstract

This essay reassesses the role language plays in Zen-Buddhist teaching. I begin by exploring what has come to be a standard interpretation of language in Zen, in relation to the actual reality and direct experience of enlightenment. This reflects an ‘instrumental’ view of language, and I discuss the implications of this in Zen thought. It is then suggested that this interpretation is no longer credible given the insights provided by a more contemporary understanding of language. This different approach reflects a ‘constitutive’ view of language , which I explore largely through the ontological linguistics of Martin Heidegger . Finally, I examine how this view of language has in fact always been a significant element of Zen teaching in terms of attaining enlightenment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Theology, Philosophy‚ and Religious Studies, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK

    Duane Williams

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  1. Duane Williams
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Correspondence to Duane Williams .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. English Department, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, United Kingdom

    Manel Herat

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Williams, D. (2018). The Finger and the Moon: Language, Reality, and Interpretation in Zen Buddhism. In: Herat, M. (eds) Buddhism and Linguistics. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67413-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67413-1_3

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-67412-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-67413-1

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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