The Rhetoric of Immediacy: A Cultural Critique of Chan/Zen Buddhism

by Bernard Faure

Exploring key concepts and metaphors, Bernard Faure guides readers to an appreciation of some of the more elusive aspects of the Chinese traditions of Chan Buddhism and Japanese Zen. Faure focuses on Chan's insistence on "immediacy"--its denial of all traditional meditations, including scripture, ritual, good works--and yet shows how these mediations have always been present in Chan.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Zen, Philosophy

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Hanchieh Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a marvelous book on Chan culture by the cultural theoretical approach. In spite of some confuse and mistakes, author explains Chan culture's characteristic persuasively. The most contribution of the book is to unveil Chan's ideology and its effects with consequence. It helps reader not to view Chan as a simple and isolated religious practice. It's a good book worthy to be recommended.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

faure draws on the collective body of western anthropology, sociology and religious studies to show how Chan's practice and preaching often differ. there's also a perceptive analysis of Chan's relationship to popular religions such as Daoism and cosmological Confucianism.

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faure's brain structure is fundamentally different from ... normal human being's ... but it's a fun read. You have to read word by word ... otherwise, you get lost.
the tension of immediacy and mediation--the central paradox of Chan

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

adventures in theory and historical/ahistorical chan. plus, check out that awesome pink cover with the happy stone arhats...