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Seminar

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SF-02737

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The talk explores the integration of Eastern and Western philosophical concepts, particularly focusing on the meaning of prajna (panyo) within modern Western philosophy, as exemplified through a dialogue with Heidegger's interpretations. It examines how prajna, a form of intuition in Eastern philosophy, distinctly contrasts with Western philosophic notions of finite and infinite intuition, as seen in Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" and Feigl's empirical categories. The discussion culminates in linking Heidegger's concept of aletheia as a form of meditative thinking to bridge these philosophical traditions.

Referenced Works:

  • "Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant
  • Explores how intuition relates immediately to objects, necessitating both the intuitor and the intuited, foundational for understanding modern philosophical perspectives on intuition.

  • "Kant and the Problem of Metaphysics" by Martin Heidegger

  • Analyzes Kant’s concept of intuition, focusing on finite and infinite intuition, relevant to the discussion of subject-object relations in philosophical traditions.

  • "The Critique of Intuition" by Herbert Feigl

  • Published in the Journal of Philosophy East to West, this paper categorizes different kinds of intuition, laying groundwork for comparing Eastern and Western intuitive concepts.

  • "Reason and Intuition in Buddhist Philosophy" by D.T. Suzuki

  • Argues for a unique form of intuition, prajna intuition, devoid of a specific object, forming a core part of the philosophical dialogue between East and West.

  • "On Time and Being" by Martin Heidegger

  • Presents aletheia as an opening that frames the possibility of truth, showing Heidegger’s shift toward integrating Eastern insights into Western philosophic discourse.

  • "Identity and Difference" by Martin Heidegger

  • Discusses the "event of appropriation," a concept that suggests a synthesis of thinking which transcends traditional Western metaphysics, resonating with Eastern thought.

  • Diamond Sutra

  • Cited to demonstrate prajna as a dynamic process beyond typical knowledge classifications, supporting a dialectical understanding of intuition.

  • Works by Zhuangzi and Nishida Kitaro

  • Zhuangzi's idea of "knowledge of not knowledge" and Nishida's "self-identity of contradictions" exemplify Eastern perspectives that challenge Western epistemological frameworks.

The focus on bridging and integrating these philosophies highlights the potential for new modes of thinking that transcend traditional dichotomies in both Eastern and Western contexts.

AI Suggested Title: Prajna and Aletheia: Bridging Intuition

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Side: 1
Speaker: Chang Chung-Yuan
Possible Title: Seminar
Additional text: Tape 1 Side 1

Side: 2
Speaker: Chang Chung-Yuan
Possible Title: Seminar
Additional text: Tape 1 Side 2

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Notes: 

Recording is a portion of a longer event.

Transcript: 

I have heard that when an Oriental student visited Heidegger in Freiburg and asked the letter about the meaning of Elysium, Heidegger replied that the student ought to know the meaning as he was come from the East, and must know prajna, must know pangyo. In this sense, the meaning of pangyo plays an important role, not only in the ancient school of Eastern philosophy, but also in the modern philosophy of the West. Let us discuss the meaning of Panyo in the light of modern philosophy.

[01:20]

Panyo or prajna is sometimes identified as the intuition by modern philosophers. But Suzuki, Professor Suzuki, D.T. Suzuki, would use the term prajna intuition, prajna intuition, when it is related to intuition, as he said. wrote an article on reason and intuition, he particularly pointed out that intuition is prajna intuition. Let us see, what is the meaning of intuition according to modern scientific philosophers? in the Transcendental Doctrine of Elements in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.

[02:32]

Critique of Pure Reason. The opening sentence reads, In what manner, by whatever means, a mood of knowing may relate to objects, intuition is that through which it is in immediate relation to them. But intuition takes place only in so far as object is given to us. This is in page 65. cricket, pure intuition. This is very important because it was given by Kant. Let me recite once more. In what manner and by whatever means a mood of knowing may relate to objects, relate to objects.

[03:40]

Intuition is that through which it is saying it is in immediate relation to them. But the intuition takes place only in so far as object is given to us, only in so far as object is given to us. From these statements, as we see quite clearly, that when intuition takes place, there must be a relation between the one who intuits and the things which are intuited. Let me recite this sentence once more. From these statements, we may see quite clearly that when intuition takes place, there must be a relation between the one who intuits and the things which are intuited.

[04:51]

However, on the highest level of intuition, such as prajna intuition, In Eastern philosophy, this dichotomy between subjectivity and objectivity is conceived as a hindrance to the ultimate truth. This dichotomy between subjectivity and objectivity is conceived as hindrance to the ultimate truth. The mind of man can do much more. Beyond this limitation, the mind of man can do more, can do much more beyond this limitation.

[06:00]

When Heidegger comments on Kant's intuition in Kant and the Problem metaphysics, Kant and the problem of metaphysics. He classifies it according to the categories of finite and infinite intuition. As Heidegger says, Finite intuition looks to the intuitible as something on which it is dependent and which exists in its own right. Let me recite this verse once more. Finite intuition looks to the intuitible as something on which it is dependent and which exists in its

[07:06]

own right. This is page 30. This explains that the intuitible is the object on which the intuitor depends. In the Predicate of Intuition, According to Scientific Empiricism, published by the General of Philosophy East to West, Herbert Frege, F-E-I-G-E-L, I think most of you know this great thinker, a leading thinker of philosophy of science in present day, classifies intuition into seven categories. Let me recite his paper. The title is Critic. of intuition according to scientific empiricism.

[08:12]

And it was published by the Journal of Philosophy East to West in our school maybe 10 years ago. Charles Moore asked him to contribute an article on intuition and asked one of the Chinese thinker to reply. So the seven categories. The first six categories are one, the awareness of simple sensory quality, such as red and green, hot and cold. as a quality. Apprehension of senses, that is, an alleged method of purely philosophical knowledge.

[09:17]

That's two. Three, direct knowledge of axiom, of logic, of arithmetic, of topology. Four, instinctive knowledge such as capacity of birds for knowing how to build nests and of beavers knowing how to build dams. Five, extrasensory perception such as capacity, precognition, and clairvoyance. which cannot be explained within the traditional scientific framework. Number six, we come to the hunch, such as sniffing the air in a patient's room, giving the physician a clue to an acute case of diabetes, or the way a gifted jug

[10:32]

graphologist can tell from the handwriting, graphologist can tell from handwriting what kind of character the writer has. All these forms of intuition may be classified in the category of finite intuition. Infinite intuition or divine intuition is the last category according to Fargo. The object of Feigl's last category of intuition is claimed to be something that is absolutely beyond the reach of ordinary experience and reasoning, something which cannot be checked empirically.

[11:51]

This is in page six in this general east-west philosophy. However, Fargo maintains further that we can get knowledge of the absolute or of God by intuition. Kant's intuition or infinite intuition differs from the trans-empirical intuition of Fargo. in that it is not attributed to men, but can only be passed by God. Nevertheless, in both cases, there is an imaginary image which serves as an object that is intuitive.

[12:58]

Thus, we see that neither finite nor infinite intuition is able to be free from dichotomy of subjectivity and objectivity. Thus, we see that neither finite nor infinite intuition is able to be free from dichotomy of subjectivity and objectivity. In the East, however, the highest intuition, such as prajna intuition, cannot be classified according to any of Feigl's seven categories. According to Feigl, transempirical intuition belongs to other, to religious or metaphysical mysticism.

[14:01]

Transempirical intuition deliberately aims at a trans-empirical target. With religious mysticism, the target is God. With metaphysical mysticism, it may be the absolute. This is on page 7, final article. Prajna intuition is not the intuition of either a religious god or a metaphysical absolute. As Suzuki says in his Reason and Intuition in Buddhist Philosophy, we read, I should like to have prajna classified as a very special form of intuition, this I mean Suzuki himself, that which may be termed prajna intuition.

[15:13]

In distinction for a kind of intuition, we have generally philosophical and religious discourses. In the latter case, there is an object of intuition known as God or reality or truth or the absolute. But in the case of prajna intuition, there is no definite object to be intuited. Let me recite Dr. Suzuki's statement. I should like to have prajna classified as a very special form of intuition, that which may be termed prajna intuition, in distinction from the kind of intuition we have generally in philosophical and religious discourses. In the latter case, there is an object of intuition known as God or reality or truth or the absolute.

[16:23]

But in the case of prajna intuition, there is no definable object to be intuited. No definable object to be intuited. While Fargo does not deny the fact of trans-empirical intuitive experience, he does deny some of their interpretations, that is, their claims of genuine knowledge of God or absolute on the basis of such experience. As he says, intuition, the sense of direct experience, is never

[17:26]

the finished product of knowledge. That's page 16. Intuition in the sense of direct experience is never the finished product of knowledge. Again, prajna intuition is beyond the criticism of the theological or metaphysical experience, as Suzuki says. Quotation, knowledge as a term is generally used is the relationship between the subject and object. Where there is no such dichotomous distinction, knowledge is impossible. If we have something of noetic quality here, we must not designate it as knowledge. For by doing so, we get confusion and find ourselves involved in contradictions.

[18:34]

This is the quotation from his reply to Husserl in page 145. For Prajna, there is no distinction between subject and object, the newer and the new. Therefore, the question of knowledge claims in the ordinary sense do not even occur. Let me come back to Fargo. Fargo said, intuition in the sense of direct experience is never the finished product of knowledge. It never be able to free. from the concept of knowledge when we discuss intuition. Prajna intuition constitutes a direct, immediate experience which is beyond knowledge in the scientific sense.

[19:41]

It is Zhuangzi's knowledge of not-knowledge, Zhuangzi. I think most of you know what Zhuangzi is. it is a knowledge of not knowledge knowledge of not knowledge or center yesterday we discussed the center Shenzhen or what Shenzhen calls prajna is not knowledge the famous article written by Shenzhen of which Fargo

[21:08]

does not seem to be aware when he did his research and wrote the article. He himself confessed, quotation, I realize fully that this is a typical Western point of view, and although I have made sincere efforts to understand and to appreciate it, The rules assigned to intuition in the oriental philosophies, my Western bias and scientism, scientism will remain all too obvious. That's page one, first page. It is critical of intuition according to scientific empiricism. It took Heidegger himself over 40 years to formulate the apparatus to express such awareness in his own thought.

[22:36]

Primary term used by Heidegger to express this awareness is aletheia. Aletheia. Aletheia wished. And the identity of the both was given by Heidegger himself. Thus, in Heidegger's recent approach, prajna intuition is Aletheia, thought as a concealment in the sense of opening, thought as unconcealment in the sense of opening. In the case of Aletheia or Pagno or Prajna, there is no question of the truth or untruth of the knowledge claimed, criticized by Thago.

[23:42]

As Heidegger says, in the end of Philosophy and the Task of Thinking, in his recent work, On Time and Being. You see, Being and Time was his great contribution to philosophy. It's a very thick book. But now recently, we have English translation of another book called On Time and Being, reverse the title, so you can see how much change that he made since he has been interested in the East philosophy. Aletheia unconcealment in the sense of the opening may not be equated with truth. Rather, Aletheia unconcealment thought as opening first frames the possibility of truth.

[24:47]

This is on Time and Being, page 69. Please check up. Now, I recite once more this quotation because this is Heidegger's own words on aletheia. Aletheia, unconcealment in the sense of the opening, may not be equated with truth. Rather, aletheia, unconcealment, thought as opening, first grants the possibility of truth. Thus, alesia, or prajna, or payo, is the origin of truth which is not truth itself, is origin of truth which is not truth itself. In my interview, with Professor Heidegger two years ago in Freiburg, I asked, is it correct to say that your new way of thinking concentrate on the development of Aletheia?

[26:07]

Heidegger replied, yes, that is correct. I further asked if it was correct that Heidegger's recent process of achieving Elysia was through meditative thinking. In order to achieve meditative thinking, Heidegger suggested step back, step back, which takes one to the realm of belonging together of man and a being, capital being. In order to experience this belonging together, one must enter into the event of appropriation. Event of appropriation. Hardiver kind of said that my understanding was correct. Let me recite the later part of my question.

[27:13]

I further asked if it was correct that Heidegger's recent process of achieving aletheia was through meditative thinking. In order to achieve meditative thinking, Heidegger suggested a step back, which takes place to the realm of belonging together of man and being. In order to experience this belonging together, one must enter into the event of appropriation. Heidegger kindly said that my understanding was also correct. In Identity and Difference, Heidegger clearly points out that we must experience simply this owing in which man and being are delivered.

[28:27]

We call the event of appropriation event of appropriation. He further says the word event of appropriation, thought of in terms of matter indicated should now speak a key term in the service of thinking. As such a key term, it can no more be translated than the Greek logic logos or the Chinese style. This is the quotation. He further says, the word event of appropriation, thought of in terms of matter indicated, should now speak a key term in the service of thinking.

[29:33]

As such a key term, it can no more be translated than the Greek logos or the Chinese da. His explanation of Lucas is not the traditional interpretation. His Lucas is Chinese Dao. This is the quotation from, I think, the page 36 in Identity and Difference. In his most recent work, I mentioned a moment ago on time being, Heidegger opens up a new approach to thinking, which is different from the traditional Western philosophical way of thought. He maintains that the metaphysical thinking has reached its completion. Metaphysical thinking has reached its completion.

[30:40]

Completion in this sense means end. Thus, Heidegger proclaims that the present epoch marks the end of philosophy, quotation, end of philosophy, and unquote, and the beginning of a new task of thinking. This new task of thinking requires thinking which is different from the rational scientific analysis as Heidegger says, quotation, perhaps there is thinking outside of distinctions of rational and irrational still more sober than the scientific technology, more sober and thus removed without effect, yet having its own necessity. Let me recite this quotation. Perhaps there is thinking outside of distinction of rational and irrational, still more super than scientific technology, more super and thus removed without effort, without effect, without effect, yet having its own necessity.

[32:02]

Unquote. This thinking... which has the character of return, character of return, that's quotation, is called essential, also quotation, or meditative thinking. It is other way of thought. Other way of thought is also Heidegger's expression. This other way of thought is aletheia, or aletheia. which is a knowledge of not knowledge, or characterized not knowledge by . in the preface to the Maha Prajnaparamita Pathisa.

[33:25]

In Chinese, we call . Seng Yu, S-E-N-G-Y-U, Seng Yu. Seng Yu. Thank you. I think ,, translated into Chinese from Sanskrit, and asked .

[34:31]

is one of the eldest disciple of . Here is what wrote, and I translate in the portion. Knowing the entanglements of being is due to illusion. Prajna thus helps it through illumination. However, illumination is originally invisible and inaudible. Its boundaries are vast and limitless. Its reality transcends expressions, and its attainment is beyond thought. Pursuing it through words, one misses its steps. Measuring it through intelligence, one loses its meaning. Let me recite once more the same use of words.

[35:34]

Knowing the entanglements of being is due to illusion. Prajna helps it through illumination. And that's Elysium. However, illumination is originally invisible and inaudible. Its boundaries are vast and limitless. Its reality transcends expressions, and its attainment is beyond thought. Pursuing it through words, one misses its depth. Measuring it through intelligence, one loses its meaning." End quote. This prajna is called chen ni, chen ni, or right of thought, which is thoughtless thought. Chen is chen ni. Chen ni.

[36:44]

A new Confucianist, new Confucianist, Wang Longxi, who was Confucianist, practically he converted into Zen Buddhism. Wang Longxi. Wang Longxi. You stay to yourself. So about the 16th century, who had a strong lens toward that, call it or the mind revealed in absolute moment.

[38:24]

The mind revealed in absolute moment. As he says, Wong says, thought cannot be conceived as other being or down being. It is action of the mind of absolute present. When casual conditions emerge, The external world is assembled. Yet the thought of absolute moment is always tranquil. Thus we say that it is not thought. Let me recite once more. Thought cannot be conceived as either being or non-being. It is the action of the mind of absolute present. When casual conditions emerge, the external world is assembled.

[40:08]

Yet the thought of absolute present or absolute moment is always tranquil. Thus, we say that it is not thought. How can one achieve this thoughtless thought, which cannot be measured by paramedic time, paramedic time, paramedic time? That's the relative sense of time. But can only take place in the mind of absolute present. The answer. has been given by a number of Buddhist schools, such as ,, and ,, and Zen Buddhism.

[41:13]

But the essence may be found in Diamond Sutra, where we read Diamond Sutra. When we read, what is known as prajna is not prajna, therefore it is known as prajna. What is known as prajna is not prajna, therefore it is known as prajna. It is through this dialectical process that prajna intuition is achieved. In Nisida's expression, I think most of you are familiar, Nishida, the former professor of Kyoto University, leading philosopher in Japan who passed away just short before the war.

[42:15]

This is, in Nishida's expression, this is the self-identity of constant contradictions. Self-identity of constant contradictions. In Heidegger's term, it is the nearness of distance, nearness of distance. In John's words, when this and that are not in the position of contrast, that is called essence of doubt. . This and that. Dao Shu. Dao Shu.

[43:18]

Then leader . But I think it should be essence of Tao. When this and that are not in the position of countries, this is called essence of Tao. In Nirvana is nameless. Pine, nipa, woodland. Here is a nipa. is nameless. is nameless. This course on is nameless. It's one of the four articles of Sanzang explains, the subtle Tao rests upon the wonder of awakening.

[44:46]

The wonder of awakening rests upon identity with reality. Identity with reality means identity of being and non-being. When being and non-being are identified, then self and others are non-differentiated. Therefore, heaven, earth, and I derive from the same root, and tens of things and I are one. Actually, this is a quotation from John's work with slight changes. To identify tens of things and the self means that there is no longer difference between existence and non-existence. To contrast ten thousand things with self makes mutual penetration difficult. Thus, neither beyond nor within the existence or non-existence, the ring is thou.

[45:50]

This is the center of where it appeared. In nirvana, it's nameless. Let me recite once more. In nirvana, it's nameless. explains. The subtle Tao rests upon the wonder of awakening. The wonder of awakening rests upon identity with reality. Identity with reality means identity of being and non-being. When being and non-being are identified, themselves and others are non-differentiated. Therefore, heaven, earth, and I derived from same root and tens of things and I are one. To identify tens of things and the self means that there is no longer difference between existence and non-existence.

[46:54]

To contrast ten thousand things with self makes mutual penetration difficult. Thus, neither beyond nor within existence and non-existence therein is doubt. To understand the essence of doubt is to grasp the highest level of intuition of prajna or aletheia. maintained by both ancient East and the West of present day. Perhaps if we refer to Heidegger's own words, we would be more impressed that the synthesis of thought between East and West is true. In Identity and Difference, we read, by this abyss, but this abyss is neither empty nothingness nor murky confusion, but rather event of appropriation.

[48:17]

Principle of identity means now a spring demanded by the essence of identity because it needs that opening of belonging together of man and being in order to attain the essential light of the appropriation. On its way from the principle as a statement about identity to the principle as a spring into the essential origin of identity, thinking has undergone a transformation," and unquote. So this quotation is important. Let me recite it once more. In Identity and Difference, we read that this abyss

[49:24]

is neither empty nothingness nor murky confusion, but rather the event of appropriation. Principle of identity means now a spring demanded by the essence of identity because it needs that opening of the belonging together of man and being in order to attain the essential light of appropriation. On its way from principle as a statement about identity to the principle as a spring into essential origin of identity, thinking has undergone a transformation. What is this transformation?

[50:27]

It is knowledge, not knowledge. Or to see, to use Sanders' expression, prajna or tayo is not knowledge. Thus, from the principle of identity, we see that the meaning of tayo plays an important role in the development of a new way of thinking in modern philosophy. Thus, from the principle of identity given by Heidegger, we see the meaning of plays an important role in the development of a new way of thinking in modern philosophy. in the end of philosophy on time and being.

[51:32]

This is the last chapter on the time being. Heidegger says, does a name for the task of thinking then read instead of being and time? Opening and presence. Let me recite once more. Does the name for the task of thinking then read, instead of being on time? That's what he wrote before. Now change. Opening and presence. The thought of prajna is the opening, and the experience of payo is the presence. The thought of payo is the opening, and the experience of payo is the presence.

[52:42]

In this sense, Heidegger's final statement The task of thinking would then be to surrender our previous thinking to the determination of matter of thinking. Would it not be correct if we render it thus? To surrender our previous thinking to the new way of thinking is to surrender the traditional analytical thinking to the thinking of Elysia or . Let me recite this sentence once more. In this sense, Heidegger's final statement, after this quotation, the task of thinking would then be the surrender of previous thinking to the determination of matter of thinking.

[53:43]

and unquote. Would it not be correct if we rendered it thus? To surrender our previous thinking to the new way of thinking is to surrender the traditional analytical thinking to the thinking of Elysia or Payot. Hence, through the study of the recent approach of Heidegger's thought, we find The bridge brings together two worlds of philosophy, East and West. This is my brief account.

[54:25]

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