A Critical Examintion of Suzuki's Understanding of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism

Abstract

<p>This thesis is a critical examination of Suzuki's understanding of Ch'an Buddhism, in the light of the Chinese Ch'an Buddhism. The contributions of modern scholarship to the subject are also taken into consideration. Suzuki's interpretation of Ch'an history and philosophy are examined; his subjective emphasis is noted, together with his tendency to ignore more objective historical scholarship, The suggestion is made that in a study of Ch'an, both the subjective and the objective approaches should be employed. The most positive contribution of Suzuki are (1) his emphasis on Satori, 'enlightenment-experience' and (2) his interpretation of Ch'an in terms of a balance of freedom and love.</p>