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The image and the meaning of the Chinese character for ‘enlightenment’[Note 1. 1This paper was given as a plenary presentation at ...]
Author(s) -
Shen Heyong
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of analytical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.285
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1468-5922
pISSN - 0021-8774
DOI - 10.1111/1468-5922.12465
Subject(s) - enlightenment , character (mathematics) , symbol (formal) , meaning (existential) , interpretation (philosophy) , original meaning , philosophy , aesthetics , literature , epistemology , linguistics , art , mathematics , geometry
This article explores the significance of the image of the Chinese character for ‘enlightenment’. The oracle bone script form for ‘enlightenment’ is comprised of the symbol for the ‘true self’ and the symbol for the ‘heart’. In Chinese Taoist philosophy, the true self is close to Tao, a concept akin to that of the self in Analytical Psychology. The combination of the ‘self’ meeting with the ‘heart’ conveys both the aspect of inspiration and of profound meaning. The paper is composed of three parts in order to facilitate the analysis and interpretation of this Chinese character: 1) an exploration of the image and meaning of the character; 2) an exploration of the link between the self and enlightenment; and 3) reflections on the relationship between insight and enlightenment. The image of this Chinese character contains not only what enlightenment is, but also the way to enlightenment and the meaning of the way.