Reification and deconstruction of Buddha nature in Chinese Chan

摘要

Although much has been said about deconstruction in Madhyamika Bud- ndhism, very little has been done in the study of deconstructive strategy in nChan Buddhism. In his study of deconstruction in N~g~juna's thought, nRobert Magliola adds several passages that discuss the same topic in nChan/Zen Buddhism. Magliola's major contribution is his distinction be- ntween logocentric and differential trends in Chan/Zen Buddhism (Magliola: n96-7). This distinction allows us to take a fresh look at, and to re-examine, nthose inner struggles in the evolution of Chan Buddhist thought. However, nMagliola's study of deconstruction in Chan is not systematic, despite its ninsights. He uses only a few cases to show the deconstructive tendency in nChan, without applying his distinction to a closer examination of the dif- nferent schools of Chan thought. Thus, his study leaves only the impression nthat the deconstructive or differential trend is connected with the Southern nSchool of Chart. He does not justify this thesis through a closer doctrinal and ntextual-contextual investigation.