Ontologia w ujęciu komparatywnym - myśl europejska i buddyjska. Wybrane zagadnienia

Abstract

The paper supplies an introduction to the systematic comparative analysis of European and Buddhist (mainly from mahâyana tradition) philosophies. It elaborates the subject with a general approach as well as expounds individual philosophical views, including Polish thinkers. What seems important, is to stress the need for such intercultural approach in contemporary way of philosophizing, it is a way to widen philosophy itself. Comparative research may be successful only if we try to avoid approach to the questions discussed only from the opacity of one tradition, points of view of both sides should be taken into account. One of important method of such comparative approach is then to expound likeness and differences between the subjects analyzed, differences seems to be more important. More refined and advanced research incorporates interconnected relations: differences among what is similar and similarities among the differences. An analysis of philosophical questions themselves starts with the problems: (1) In what sense we may speak about Buddhist ontology. On one side, there are sufficient reasons to relate this concept to the Buddhist philosophy, on the another, it should be widened, comparing to European thought. (2) Does soteriological metaphysics is still metaphysics? A strict, actual comparative research takes into account such questions as: dharma theory and philosophy of being (to on); mind, consciousness in Buddhism and in phenomenology; emptiness (oeûnyatâ) versus being (to on) and non-being (to me on); ultimate reality; philosophy of dependent arising (pratîtyasamutpâda) in opposition to philosophy of being; two truths (satyadvaya); problem of existence in both traditions. Comparisons are summed up with two kinds of conclusions. Methodological ones point at the significance of hermeneutics for better understanding of Buddhist thought. Content-related ones reveal, first of all, directional differences – so to speak – of both traditions. Initial different interests impinge on the whole image of implied philosophies; their thematic scopes, methods applied and, first of all, tenets they claim. An attention calls inspiring meaning of some original and intriguing Buddhist views, such as of emptiness (oeûnyavada) or of non arisen phenomena (anutpâda). Such anti-theses in relation to our tradition, taken seriously into consideration may involve new metaphysical questions and enrich us with new spirituals possibilities.