When there are no more cats to argue about: Chan Buddhist views of animals in relation to universal buddhanature Article

Heine, S. (2021). When there are no more cats to argue about: Chan Buddhist views of animals in relation to universal buddhanature . JOURNAL OF CHINESE PHILOSOPHY, 43(3-4), 239-258. 10.1163/15406253-0430304008

cited authors

  • Heine, S

authors

abstract

  • Chan Buddhist discourse refers repeatedly to many kinds of animals, particularly dogs and cats, as symbols or in fables in order to comment ironically on human attitudes and behavior. These creatures are appreciated for their positive qualities yet are also scathingly criticized for representing a lack of discipline and selfcontrol. This paper considers how a couple of Chan gongan cases featuring animals are related to the Mahayana doctrine of universal Buddha-nature. Does Chan accept and approve or reject and refute the orthodox view, does it craft a standpoint of ironic inconclusiveness that deliberately bypasses and reorients traditional doctrinal disputes, or do these cases primarily express an allegorical message regarding possibilities or challenges for humans seeking to attain an experience of enlightenment?

publication date

  • January 1, 2021

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 239

end page

  • 258

volume

  • 43

issue

  • 3-4