New Books in Buddhist Studies Jingjing Li, "Comparing Husserl's Phenomenology and Chinese Yogacara in a Multicultural World: A Journey Beyond Orientalism" (Bloomsbury, 2022)
Dec 17, 2022
Jingjing Li, a lecturer at Leiden University specializing in Buddhist philosophy, explores the intriguing intersection of Husserl's phenomenology and Chinese Yogācāra. She discusses the 'problem of essence' as central to their contrast, emphasizing cultural exchange despite their differing views on existence. Li critiques Orientalism and proposes a three-level method for fair comparison, highlighting how both traditions can inform ethical transformation. The conversation navigates non-dualism and communal renewal, aiming for a richer understanding in a multicultural context.
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Personal Origin Of The Project
- Jingjing Li describes growing up as a visible minority in Montreal and how that shaped her interest in comparative philosophy.
- Her lived experience motivated attention to cross-cultural miscommunication and the life-worlds behind shared language.
Essence Is A Cross-Cultural Puzzle
- The 'problem of essence' frames why comparisons between Husserl and Yogacara seem blocked.
- Jingjing argues differences may be apparent because each tradition uses 'essence' and 'svabhava' in distinct historical ways.
Both-End Approach To Counter Orientalism
- Orientalism frames East as non-rational and served colonial domination, but later reversed tropes persist as 'reverse Orientalism.'
- The both-end approach demands contextualizing each tradition and promoting discursive redistribution, equal recognition, and diverse representation.
