Three Times Emptiness: Sunyata, Kenosis, Fana'

This book offers a triangular comparative analysis by evaluating three different religious approaches to emptiness. It reveals what emptiness or nothingness mean in different cultural and religious contexts. Further, it assesses each tradition's emptiness concerning the emptiness of the believer, the emptiness of the world, and perhaps even the (temporary or permanent) emptiness of God.

Chapters include perspectives on different religions and though being manifest in different ways within their respective traditions, the Hindi and Buddhist concept of sunyata, the Christian concept of divine kenosis, and the Sufi concept of fana' share a common denominator: all three signify "emptiness". Covered are both sprititual and "mundane" functions of this emptiness that the three religions address. This monograph appeals to students and researchers and reveals that the idea of an "empty" reality that is purified of superfluous fullness are philosophical concepts relevant for all domains of life.

Autorentext

Thorsten Botz-Bornstein is professor of philosophy at the Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait. He was born in Germany, studied philosophy in Paris and received his PhD from Oxford University. He received his habilitation from the EHESS of Paris and works on comparative philosophy and aesthetics. He has published 19 authored books, 8 edited books, and over 100 articles and book chapters. His latest book is called How Much Religion is Good for You? If Religion Were a Game (2024).

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Preliminary Considerations.- Chapter 2. The Historical Background.- Chapter 3. Comparative Mysticism.- Chapter 4. Kenosis, Dynamic Sunyata, and Weak Thought: Abe Masao and Gianni Vattimo.- Chapter 5. Tawhid and Nothingness: Nishida Kitar and Muhammad Abduh on God and Reason.- Chapter 6. Sunyata, Kenosis, Fana
Chapter 7. Absorption, Extinction, and Intoxication.- Chapter 8. Pantheism and the Absolute Self.- Chapter 9. The Bird and the Butterfly.- Conclusion.