「人向鼻頭參」—從當代感官心理學與感官哲學看北宋漢傳佛教傳統中 「禪、香、詩」的關聯="Knowing by the Nose Tip": A Philosophical and Psychological Perspective on the Relationship between Smell, Poetry, and Chan Buddhism in the Northern Song Dynasty
This paper draws upon the contemporary cognitive psychology and philosophy of perception's perspective on olfactory perception and overall perceptual awareness, to reexamine the interplay and nexus between Chan, incense, and poetry within the Northern Song Dynasty's Chinese Buddhist tradition. The convergence of Chan, incense, and poetry within the meditative traditions of Northern Song Buddhism has been the subject of recent scholarly rediscovery, as evidenced by the work of various East Asian scholars. Nevertheless, there remains a substantial need for additional investigation to comprehend the broader implications of this convergence for the doctrines and contemplative practices of Chinese Buddhism, as well as its contemporary relevance. Over the past few years, Western psychology and philosophy have witnessed a renewed interest in sensory dimensions, particularly olfactory perception and perceptual awareness—areas traditionally marginalized in Western culture. These emergent developments present new prospects for enhanced dialogue between contemporary Western psychological sciences, philosophy, and Eastern Buddhist traditions. This study scrutinizes and elaborates the distinctive philosophies and contemplative practices within the Northern Song Buddhist tradition that associate sensory (incense), linguistic (poetry), and phenomenological (Chan) facets, leveraging the latest advancements in modern science and philosophy. The research lays the groundwork for exploring the insights that can be derived for bridging contemporary Chinese Buddhism with modern science and society.
