Abstract

This dissertation examines and critically compares the respective ontologies of Paul Tillich and Zen Buddhism. ;The first chapter involves itself in the complex question, "What is human nature?" In a departure from the traditional method of exploring this question by detailing differing philosophical and theological positions on human nature, this section will instead turn to those scholars who have a different perspective and concern regarding the question of human nature--those who observe and record the advent of human nature in the infant. In accord with the scientific method, the result of such studies are tentative, yet they are pertinent to the question of human nature as they record the development of a human personal being. ;The following four chapters seek to expand upon the question of human nature by examining the religio-philosophical thought of Paul Tillich in four areas: an outline of his ontological position, including a explication of his terms essence and existence; appended to this chapter is a brief discussion on the influence of the philosophy of Martin Heidegger on Paul Tillich's religio-philosophy; the problematic aspect of human nature as his ontology presents it; the resolution he offers to that problematic aspect; and the relationship of love to Tillich's proposed resolution, or in other words, an articulation of the dynamic re-union of Love. ;The second section of the dissertation then turns its attention to Zen Buddhism and utilizes the same categories of nature, problem, and resolution toward an interpretation of Zen religio-philosophy. Central to this section is the discussion of love and the Zen Awakening, as well as, some problems regarding the formulation of a "Zen ethic." ;The third section of the dissertation consists of a comparison and contrast of the Tillichian ontological position and the Zen ontological position as outlined in the previous two sections and focuses on important dualities or, as Tillich prefers, polarities. This section also includes a comparison of Tillich's and Zen's respectively proposed methodologies toward bringing about their resolutions. Appended to this chapter is a brief essay on the dimension of discourse for both Tillich and Zen--the depth dimension. ;The fourth and concluding section offers some observations as to the possible implications of understanding Zen and Tillich as ontologies of love and how they both may enter the marketplace of religious ideas