La questione del misticismo: l’accettazione d’una realtà sovrasensibile e di un raccoglimento interiore. Profili comparati tra buddhismo zen, shivaismo, sufismo e mistica cristiana

Author(s): Gianfranco Longo / Language(s): Italian Issue: 10/2015

The mysticism’s problem begins when our knowledge of the world becomes search for the deep: the sorrow and the joy are the same moments of life, lived in a mirror in which to dwell. The kintsugi art is care and meditation about joy and sadness, about the past time and present moment where life and death have a common point that introduces us to the mystery of our beginning.

Spontaneous Expression and Spontaneous Improvisation ‒ What Contemporary Improvising Artists Can Learn from Chinese Artists-Philosophers

Author(s): Rafał Mazur / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2014

Spontaneous expression is a unique method of artistic creation that emerged from within a circle of Chinese Confucian scholar-philosophers for whom artistic creation comple-mented their philosophical activities. Free improvisation is a new phenomenon of the European art scene. It is typified by spontaneous, often ad hoc creation, without prior preparation of the act or the object. I want to illustrate the similarities in the strategies of creation between ‘spontaneous expression’ and ‘free improvisation’ and the extent to which the philosophical foundations and resulting strategies of the former can be used in the latter, demonstrating the philosophical basis for this artistic discipline. I will primarily consider the mind of the creator, and justify the thesis that the state of mind, or mental attitude, necessary for the practice of spontaneous expression could be useful in the de-velopment of the practice of free improvisation in contemporary art (European art here would be inaccurate). A ‘method without method’ built on the basis of Chinese philosophy can help generate a strategy to develop and improve the skills of improvisation among contemporary European artists and contribute to the development of a contemporary philosophy of free improvisation. It is my opinion that these are fields that lie fallow. This would be an attempt to adapt the strategy of creation borne of original Chinese philosophy to contemporary artistic activities and aesthetic studies: a kind of transcultural bridge.

The Image of the World in Yijing 易经 – an Attempt to Identify the Intellectual Context Proper to Chinese Philosophy

Author(s): Anna Iwona WÓJCIK / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2014

Before we think about reality, before we talk about it or remain silent, first we have some of the most basic images. What do philosophers brought up in the given cul-ture have in mind when they use the term ‘reality’? In this article I attempt to iden-tify and elaborate the intellectual context proper to Chinese (especially Confucian and Daoist) philosophical culture, by presenting its most general features. How deep must we probe to find the internal network of sense that is the basis of Confucian, and Daoist images of reality? What we are looking for can be found by trying to think in a context that is broader than the merely linguistic context. This broader context is that provided by philosophical understanding of the terms: ‘world,’ ‘individual being,’ ‘thing,’ ‘truth,’ ‘wisdom.’

Konfucianizmo Ir Krikščionybės Doktrininės Analogijos Ir Skirtumai Tarpreliginio Dialogo Perspektyvoje

Author(s): Romualdas Dulskis / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 80/2014

Confucianism, a system rich in humanistic values and teachings for living a noble life, is an invaluable partner for Christianity in interreligious as well as intercultural dialogue. We have arrived at a time for Confucianism to be understood not as a “pagan“ opponent to the Christian Weltanschauung, but rather as a precursor and partner in creating a more humane world and revealing the essential mission of man. In the course of analyzing the possibilities of Confucian and Christian dialogue, two important aspects of Christian teachings become evident. Firstly, to what extent Christian doctrine is unique and to what extent it conveys a common religious human quest and, secondly, comparing both teachings helps to lead to a clearer perception of where lies the essence of Christian love and salvation. Confucianism does not operate within such concepts as Revelation or a Saviour, both of which are basic to Christianity. The ultimate Confucian goals of the individual and society are outlined in ways more characteristic to Chinese thinking, – humaneness, harmony, the Heavenly Principle. In Confucianism one of the central concepts, the will of Heaven, conveys the relationship between humanity and the Supreme Being. It can be said that in Confucian will of Heaven a certain Divine Revelation is manifested in a way that leads humanity toward its ultimate goal.

Niektóre aspekty buddyjskiej ścieżki jako sposób budowania więzi ze światem

Author(s): Jarosław Kotas / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2004

KONCEPT MONO NO AWARE U JAPANSKOJ ESTETICI

Author(s): Dragan Ćalović / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 3/2022

Although, until the nineteenth century, we could not find in Japanese thought an approach that would be considered a counterpart to Western aesthetics, in art and cultural practice, nuanced interpretations of aesthetic experiences have been developed, such as wabi sabi, mono no aware and ma. The term mono no aware refers to impermanent, that is, transient beauty, ie. her experience that does not arise on the basis of current sensory experience. This concept should be understood as an aesthetic experience that accepts the beauty of transience, although transience itself cannot be considered beautiful. Mono no aware, is not the emotional response to the rational judgment of transience, but the feeling that permeates us when we become aware of sensory experience with the knowledge of transience. This, however, is not about any sensory experience, but only one in which we find beauty. Hence, the concept of mono no aware remains inseparable from the experience of the beautiful, but it is not equated with it.

MATERIAL FORCE, DIALECTIC EVOLUTION AND THE ROLE OF ACTION IN CHINESE PHILOSOPHY: WANG FUZHI’S NEO-CONFUCIAN VIEW

Author(s): Diana-Elena Vereș / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2024

The transition from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty of Manchurian origin brought with it a series of major changes, not only from a political perspective but also from a cultural and philosophical perspective. Wang Fuzhi (1619-1692), a Chinese philosopher and fervent patriot, fighting against the Manchurian invasion, contributes to the creation of Chinese ethnic thought, highlighting through his works the importance of human action as a decisive factor in the nation's destiny.The article analyzes Wang Fuzhi's contribution to Neo-Confucian philosophy in the 17th century and aims to highlight key concepts from the vision of this Chinese thinker, ideas that can provide a better understanding of Chinese philosophy.

Ireneusz Kania – człowiek, którego dharmą jest gapienie się na świat

Author(s): Marta Kudelska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1-2/2023

This essay presents an auteur commentary on selected texts by Ireneusz Kania, contained in the Dług Metafizyczny volume or conversations conducted with him. M. Kudelska limits her remarks primarily to Buddhist motifs. Ireneusz Kania openly declares that Buddhist themes remained extremely close to him and explicitly states that Buddhism offers greatest knowledge about human nature and reality. He even admits that lately he begins his day by studying Buddhist texts, and adds in the Buddhist manner that his dharma is “gaping at the world”, which within the context of all his publications becomes his individual path of cognition.

SOME INSIGHTS FROM BENJAMIN BERGMANN (1772–1856), A PIONEER OF MONGOLISTICS AND TIBETOLOGY, IN THE CONTEXT OF LATER WESTERN ORIENTAL STUDIES

Author(s): Kaspars Kļaviņš / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

The genesis of Mongolian studies and Tibetology in Europe is closely linked to the beginnings of Buddhist studies, becoming acquainted with the traditional religions of Asian peoples, and the reception of ancient Indian and Chinese cultures. In addition, a significant phase of this research took place in the Russian Empire, where scholars such as Peter Simon Pallas (1741–1811), Heinrich Julius Klaproth (1783–1835), Isaac Jacob Schmidt (1779–1847), and others contributed to the study of these fields. The Baltic-German clergyman, historian, linguist, and orientalist Benjamin Fürchtegott Balthasar von Bergmann (hereinafter Benjamin Bergmann; 1772–1856), born to the family of Gustav von Bergmann (1749–1814), who was the Lutheran pastor of the Āraiši parish, is very important in this context. His main work on Asian studies was the four-volume work “Nomadische Streifereien unter den Kalmüken in den Jahren 1802 und 1803” (Nomadic Roaming Among Kalmyks in 1802–1803), published in German in Riga, which aimed to shed light on the culture of the Kalmyks (a group of western Mongolian tribes – Oirat settlers) living in the lower Volga region: ethnography, language, literature, religion, etc. Considering the connection between the Kalmyks practising Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism) and Mongolian and Tibetan spirituality, Bergmann’s work also sought to explain the nature of Lamaism, which is objectively linked to various aspects of the mythological and philosophical tradition of ancient India, given that Buddhism arrived in Tibet from India and moved from Tibet onwards to the Mongol lands. Bergmann interpreted all this material within the framework of his possibilities for obtaining information, within his own worldview, and that of his contemporaries, sometimes putting forward new hypotheses and breaking with these frameworks. In order to better understand the issues and problems of contemporary Orientalism, it is necessary to become familiar with the insights and mistakes of its pioneers – in this case, Bergmann – which have further developed within the study of East Asian cultures and spiritual traditions both in terms of changing perceptions of Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. and in terms of continuing mistakes in the context of romanticised Orientalism, the search for Eastern exoticism, or the construction of an Asian image adapted to a European worldview. This article looks at some of Bergmann’s insights more relevant to contemporary research and debate in comparative religious, literary, and folklore studies.

Освобождаване на енергията дзин

Author(s): Valeri Ivanov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

In the practice of Chinese martial arts, especially those that are concеdered “internal”, a particular quality of energy is frequently discussed. This quality is called “jin” (jing, ching). Some authors differentiate between thirty-six kinds of such energy, trained and mastered in practice, while also occasionally commenting on their real application. The main and unifying theme regarding such energetic practices is that of the “freeing” and “release” of this energy. This release represents a peak in the mastering of all other nuances of this kind of energy but it is also a necessary step toward subsequent, more subtle levels of energetic practice and technique. To a certain extent, jin energy is at the threshold that separates the mystical-spiritual from the practically applicable in the internal and frequently esoteric practice of martial tradition. The application of jin energy is today considered an extraordinary achievement in Chinese martial arts, regardless of the ideological hue or religious-philosophical thinking associated with it.

In the Quest for Natural Living: the Taoist and Jungian Roots of Arnold Mindell’s Therapeutic Path

Author(s): Arian Kowalski / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2022

In this article, I would like to take a closer look at the philosophical meaning of the term “process,” which is a fundamental category in Arnold Mindell’s psychology. The Taoist origins of this concept go back to the Tao – the principle of the universe. Tao is the process of passing into each other the opposite aspects of the monastically understood Qi energy. Mindell was also inspired by the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung, which emphasizes the importance of archetypal, unconscious mental processes and their impact on the ego through random thoughts, fantasies or dreams. Mindell distinguishes between a primary process (mental content that we are aware of) and a secondary process (mental content that we are not aware of) to explain what connects a person with her natural living – an unadulterated existence through rigid boundaries between the two processes acquired during one’s upbringing. The purpose of this article is to explore the Jungian and Taoist roots of Mindell’s psychology and to characterize individual lives as confronting their entire processual being, thus becoming natural living.

Humanizm konfucjański. Zarys problematyki

Author(s): Sławomir Nowosad / Language(s): Polish Issue: 23/2023

The paper presents several principal elements of humanism as seen in the light of Confu- cian philosophy. The author refers to Confucius’s Analects and to two other leading propo- nents of Confucianism – Mencius and Xunzi, as well as to contemporary relevant literature. The text first focuses on the understanding of human nature that has been assessed differ- ently – as good or bad but always subject to the process of self-cultivation. Only the man that deserves the name of a gentleman (junzi) reaches full personhood. Man as a person is perceived not so much in terms of rationality and self-consciousness but rather as a human being with high moral faculties – fully developed humaneness (benevolence), righteous- ness and a strong moral will. In the Confucian humanist vision man is a naturally social being that is never separated from society and the whole reality, particularly embedded in and formed by the family. Due to the absence of a creation myth Confucianism is regarded as a secular concept of human life though not totally deprived of a transcendent dimension however specifically comprehended.

ODNOS PREMA NESAVRŠENOSTI U JAPANSKOJ ESTETICI: ANALIZA KONCEPTA WABI-SABI

Author(s): Dragan Ćalović / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 2/2024

The text analyzes the understanding of the concept of wabi-sabi in Japanese aesthetics. It is a complex concept that connects two, originally separate but connected principles - wabi, which refers to sympathy caused by pity; especially liking but also an emotional connection with worn out and dilapidated; feeling of loneliness and helplessness; and sabi, in the sense of special beauty that accompanies loneliness; a state of solitude or peace. The author accepts the assumption that impermanence can be seen as a central feature of the Infinite, from which the entire universe emerges, and hence wabi-sabi can be understood as an aesthetic category that most closely describes the sensory experience of its essence. To feel the impermanence means to sensibly approach the very spirit of cosmic change. In this sense, the process of feeling pleasure in the imperfect, faded or degraded, can be understood as a manifestation of the spirit that reveals the Tao.

CONFUCIANISM AND JUCHE IDEOLOGY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE MANIPULATION OF CONFUCIANISM FOR THE CREATION OF A POLITICAL RELIGION

Author(s): Diana Yüksel / Language(s): English Issue: 15/2015

The aim of this paper is to show how the North Korean Juche ideology acquired a religious dimension through the manipulation of traditional concepts from the sixteenth century Neo Confucianism of Yi Hwang. The study will bring together two of the most influential thought forms in the Korean Peninsula in a new approach from the perspective of religious and political studies, that will lead to their re evaluation and re contextualization.

A CASE STUDY OF THE GREAT BOOK OF MYSTERY: A COMPREHENSIVE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE YI FATE

Author(s): Aleksandrs Simons / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2024

This article aims to introduce a part of a case study of The Great Book of Mystery, which is one of the most comprehensive divination corpora used by the bimo (Ch. 毕摩) shamans/spirit priests of the Yi ethnic minority that includes both traditional Yi prognostication techniques, such as deductive reasoning, bringing sacrifices to one’s tree of life, ancestor and celestial being worship, etc., and Han prognostication techniques of five elements (Ch. 五行), twelve palaces (Ch. 十二宫), eight trigrams (Ch. 八 卦), taijitu (Ch. 太极图), etc. The present research is hermeneutic and will provide interpretations of select Yi prognostication techniques in the first tome of the Great Book of Mystery, as well as give an explanation of rituals that must be carried out in case the prognostication is negative and mention several types of sacred scriptures chanted by the bimo during these ceremonies.

BEYOND CONFUCIAN CONSTRAINTS: THE PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE IN NA HYE-SEOK’S LITERARY AND ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS

Author(s): Byoung Yoong Kang / Language(s): English Issue: Special/2025

The late 1910s and early 1920s encompassed a period of profound religious and ideological upheaval on the Korean peninsula. Emerging intellectuals boldly repudiated Confucianism, the bedrock of Joseon (조선) dynasty’s ideological framework, casting it as pernicious. This intellectual cohort perceived Confucian tenets as obstructive to societal metamorphosis, prompting the widespread publication of scathing critiques in major newspapers and magazines. Na Hye-seok (나혜석, 1896–1948) emerged as an eminent literary figure who fervently embraced Protestant Christian ideals amid this transformative milieu. This study meticulously examines the contributions of Na Hye-seok, lauded as Korea’s inaugural female modern artist and a pioneering advocate for women’s rights. During her sojourn in Japan in the late 1910s, she collaborated with female students to publish a magazine championing women’s rights and castigating early marriage through poignant short stories. Furthermore, Na Hye-seok embraced the prevailing Protestant Christianity, interweaving its ethos into her literary creations and actively seeking to promulgate it as a social movement. Such endeavours were not isolated to her alone but mirrored a pervasive trend among intellectuals of the era. This study intricately dissects the process by which Na Hye-seok transcended prevalent anti-Confucian sentiments among female intellectuals, adopted Protestant Christian ideals, and sculpted her vibrant literary oeuvre. Moreover, it scrutinises the ramifications of Na’s literary accomplishments, rooted in Protestant Christianity, on modern Korean literature, women, and society at large.

MODERNIZATION OF KOREAN AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHY: SHARED AND DIVERGENT EVOLUTION OF CONCEPTS

Author(s): Kaspars Kļaviņš / Language(s): English Issue: Special/2025

This article explores the modernization of Korean and Chinese philosophy, tracing the shared roots and divergent trajectories of their conceptual evolution. It examines how traditional philosophical frameworks, such as Daoism, Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, and indigenous thought, have been reshaped under the pressures of modernization, industrialization, and political change. Key themes include the integration of Western religions and philosophies into the East Asian spiritual environment, with a particular focus on Christianity and Marxism. The article illuminates locally developed philosophical concepts and methods that have emerged through intellectual exchange, such as the synthesis of Marxist dialectics with ancient Chinese dialectical concepts or the integration of Confucianism and Christianity in Korea. It demonstrates how philosophical traditions have been adapted to serve national agendas and examines the interaction between theory and practice. The analysis highlights the unique paths these traditions have taken while reflecting broader trends in East Asian intellectual history.

DAOIST NOTION OF THE “INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF MAN AND NATURE” IN THE LITERATURE OF SHEN CONGWEN – THE CASE OF “ECOSOPHY WH”

Author(s): Aleksandrs Simons / Language(s): English Issue: Special/2025

The works of Shen Congwen are a very good example of interconnectedness between man and nature and the importance adhering to the notion of place when talking about the ecological self in Arne Næss’s ecosophy where he emphasizes that the man is created by the orders given by the nature. The aim of this article is to explore the notion of Ecosophy WH and the meaning of the ecological self in the works of Shen Congwen. The article will consider three different perspectives – self-realisation, place-person and qualities of the place-person.

Kinų ir Vakarų estetikos dialogo paieškos jos terminologijoje

Author(s): Loreta Poškaitė / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 122/2025

A significant recent development in contemporary Western aesthetics, particularly the atmospheric turn, has given rise to a proliferation of transdisciplinary studies of the concept of atmosphere and the initiation of transcultural studies, with a particular emphasis on the dialogue between Chinese and Western aesthetics.The article posits the feasibility of such a dialogue through the potential shared relation of meanings between atmosphere and the concepts of early Chinese aesthetics. The article undertakes a critical review and discussion of English translations and interpretations of qi 气, qiyun shengdong 气韵生动, feng 风 and qixiang 气象 in Western and Chinese sinology and ais to reveal the contrasts and relations of their semantic fields and their etimology, as well as commonalities of the aesthetic experience implied by those concepts and metaphors.

Реконструкция маршрута конфуцианского мыслителя Кан Ювэя по Везувианской археологической зоне

Author(s): Vyacheslav TELMINOV / Language(s): Russian Issue: 2/2024

The article deals with the reconstruction of the most likely touristic itinerary taken by the famous Chinese confucianist thinker Kang Youwei, based on his memoirs “Collection of travel impressions of Kang Youwei “Travel to Italy” (1904)”. Recollections of Kang Youwei are confronted with Vesuvian topographical reality. The author identifies specific buildings and structures that attracted the attention of Kang Youwei. This is the first reconstruction of the route of the famous Chinese philosopher of the early 20th century. The article is accompanied by an interactive map with pinpoints and comments, freely accessible on the Internet.