Ideal time and utopian space in the Chan pivot experience Article

Heine, S. (2021). Ideal time and utopian space in the Chan pivot experience . JOURNAL OF CHINESE PHILOSOPHY, 42(5), 454-476. 10.1163/15406253-04205003

cited authors

  • Heine, S

authors

abstract

  • Chan Buddhist philosophy as expressed in the Blue Cliff Record and related gongan case commentarial literature is primarily based on the notion of the instantaneous pivot moment, in which a master creates a profound turnaround experience reflecting his own liberation so as to reveal the deficient tendencies of his dialogue partner in a way that leads both parties to enhance their spiritual awareness. What are the implications of the pivot experience for understanding the overall Chan view of time and space? From the standpoint of temporality, Chan emphasizes the unity of momentary experience and continuity unbound yet not oblivious to sequential limitations. In terms of spatiality, the Chan pivot is a universal experience but is realized in particular manifestations of natural phenomena as perceived by an awakened observer.

publication date

  • January 1, 2021

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 454

end page

  • 476

volume

  • 42

issue

  • 5