Kevin Schilbrack, 'Metaphysics in Dogen'

Philosophy East and West 50 (January 2000), pp. 34-55


It is argued here that metaphysics is an overlooked but fruitful category for cross-cultural philosophy, and this hypothesis is demonstrated with the writings of Dogen Kigen. A definition of metaphysics is introduced that, although drawn from the Western philosophical tradition, should be useful for the study of philosophy elsewhere, and its application to Dogen is defended against popular interpretations that Dogen's Zen is phenomenological rather than metaphysical.