Zen and Western Thought

Abstract

Discussing three fundamental categories of human thought and existence-sein, sollen, nichts-represented by aristotle, kant, and nagarjuna (thomas, luther, and nagarjuna), zen and western thought including nietzsche and heidegger are compared. in the west sein or sollen has been regarded as the absolute principle taking nichts as secondary. in zen nichts has been emphasized as basic principle rather neglecting sollen's significance. reexamination through dialogue is necessary for both.