Buddhist-Christian Dialogue and the Kyoto School

Abstract

Buddhist-Christian dialogue involving members of the Kyoto School of philosophy has to be distinguished from conversations among believers and representatives of both religions, because dialogue on the philosophical level is rather abstract. Moreover, philosophical interlocutors may, or may not, adhere to a religious faith. When the Kyoto School became “well known in connection with the Buddhist-Christian encounter,” as Joseph S. O’Leary stated, the dialogue must be essential for understanding the Kyoto philosophy itself. This chapter focuses on the exchange within Japan because it is fundamental also for later international developments; moreover, it is not as well known internationally as the later dialogues in Western languages. It sketches the transition from the conversation in Japan to the international discussion. The peculiar situation of Japanese Christian academics during the early twentieth century is characterized by the fact that many shared the criticism of modernization qua Westernization with their Buddhist colleagues as long as it did not concern Christianity.