Reading in the Dark: Lectio Divina and the Chuang Tzu.
Thomas Merton made a lasting contribution to ecumenical relations through his writings and activities. He is particularly known for his work in Asian traditions, enjoying an iconic status in contemporary inter-religious and inter-monastic dialogue. Within the world of media and religious mystique, i...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2024
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| In: |
The Merton annual
Year: 2024, Volume: 37, Pages: 79-101 |
| Summary: | Thomas Merton made a lasting contribution to ecumenical relations through his writings and activities. He is particularly known for his work in Asian traditions, enjoying an iconic status in contemporary inter-religious and inter-monastic dialogue. Within the world of media and religious mystique, it is tempting to understand his work through the popular imagery of meditating monks engaged in an interiority absent of sacred texts and western monastic practices, drawing scholars and observers into an impersonal contemplative domain commonly associated with Buddhism, particularly zazen, devoid of word, sign and symbol. This would not have been the contemplative practice Merton followed for most of his profession as a Catholic monk, making any effort at dialogue or drawing parallels problematic. This paper will examine Merton's contemplative practice in its Christian context, as essentially a reading discipline with a refined personalism, and propose that his relationship with John C. H. Wu and his poetic rendering of the Chuang Tzu provide the best paradigm for trans-contemplative or trans-religious ecumenism. |
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| ISSN: | 0894-4857 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The Merton annual
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