Leib und Herz bei Dôgen

This volume presents seminal texts of the Japanese Zen-Master Dôgen (1200-1253) on the problem of body and mind in a new German translation with extensive commentary and philosophical analysis.
The body-mind-problem continues to draw a lot of attention, fuelled by an accelerated scientific and technological exploration and exploitation of the human physis and psyche. On the other hand, especially phenomenologists in recent decades have increasingly pointed to the import of Asian and East Asian traditions for a full picture of the human, psychophysical condition. The author subscribes to the view that it is important for the philosophical discourse on body and mind to take Non-European traditions into account. He therefore presents texts of one seminal Japanese thinker on this subject, alongside with explanations concerning the historical and biographical background, terminology and central concepts, and alternative interpretations.
During the past decades, a lot of research has already been conducted on Dôgen's thought and life. Many of his works have been translated into European languages, and there are several English translations of his main work, Shôbô genzô. However, the extant translations, while offering comments and explanations on technical terms and difficult passages, do not discuss alternative interpretations. In contrast, the author of this volume elucidates his interpretational choices, presenting alternative views and providing the reasoning for his hermeneutical decisions. Therefore, it is hoped that his translation and commentary will be of use to the English speaking reader as well.
The fundamental point of view informing the whole volume is that Dôgen's teachings are backed by a consistent theory of human existence. While the translations present his thoughts [and exhortations] in their own context, an analytical summary is given at the end of the volume that summarizes the theoretical aspects of his thought on body and mind.