An 'Enlightenment-centred' Approach to Interreligious Dialogue: Centring on Cognitional Theories of Bernard Lonergan and Zen Master Chinul.

This study explores the possible dialogue between Catholic Philosopher Lonergan and Zen (Seon) Master Chinul in the light of enlightenment or conversion as 'Christian enlightenment'. Keeping in mind that Zen Buddhism puts much stress on 'direct cutting' or 'intuition' rather than language or knowing, this comparative study examines Lonergan's 'transcendental epistemology' in which he shows how humans could reach 'conversion' (Metanoia) or 'Christian enlightenment' with Chinul's idea of Buddha-nature as 'mystical or spiritual knowing'(靈智). Such 'enlightenment-centered' comparison will suggest a 'deeper dialogue' on the level of fundamental human consciousness, such that this study could be a suggestion or even a challenge for both Eastern and Western religious traditions by expanding the horizon of interreligious dialogue for a new and deeper way of promoting such dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]