How Master Mou Removes Our Doubts

Book Details:

• Title: Mou-tzu’s Treatise on Alleviating Doubt

• Author: John P. Keenan

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Edition: 1997

• ISBN: 9788170305163

• Pages: 240

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 21.5 cm x 14 cm

• Weight: 400 gm

Book Description:

About the Book:
Mou-tzu’s Treatise on Alleviating Doubt is the first English translation of one of the earliest Chinese Buddhist texts. The translation, however, is not just a straightforward rendering of the original text. John P. Keenan examines Mou-tzu’s Treatise from a reader-response perspective, revealing how the text functions as a Buddhist interpretation of the Chinese classics. Through this approach, Keenan demonstrates how the rhetoric of the text works to convince its readers that one can remain culturally Chinese while embracing Buddhism.

The Introduction of the book explains the reader-response methodology and clarifies the rhetorical strategies used by Master Mou. Keenan unpacks the thirty-seven articles of the text, translating each one into English, providing contextual analysis, and subjecting them to a reader-response critique. This analysis explores the persuasive power of Mou-tzu’s arguments and how they evolve throughout the text.

This book serves as an insightful study for anyone interested in understanding the interplay between Chinese culture and Buddhism during the early stages of Buddhist thought in China. Keenan’s approach makes the work accessible to both scholars and those interested in the intersection of Buddhist philosophy and Chinese intellectual traditions.

About the Author:
John P. Keenan is an Associate Professor of Religion at Middlebury College. He has extensive experience in the study of Chinese Buddhist texts and is known for his scholarly work in this field. His research on Mou-tzu’s Treatise on Alleviating Doubt reflects his deep understanding of Buddhist hermeneutics and his ability to apply Western literary criticism to Eastern texts.

Preface:
In the preface, Keenan shares his personal journey with the Mou-tzu Li-huo lun. His interest in the text began during his graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, where he first translated and studied the work. Keenan notes that the inspiration for this book came after exploring new hermeneutical methods in Western Christian scholarship, which he found equally applicable to Buddhist texts.

The Mou-tzu Li-huo lun had been dormant in Keenan’s files for years until he realized that examining it through literary criticism could yield new insights into how the text resonated with its original readers. Keenan’s focus is not on textual authenticity or the historicity of Mou-tzu, but on the rhetorical impact of the text on its audience.

Keenan’s translation is designed to be readable for a wide audience, minimizing the use of Chinese characters unless necessary for clarification. This makes the book accessible to both Sinologists and general readers interested in Chinese Buddhist thought.

Conclusion:
Mou-tzu’s Treatise on Alleviating Doubt is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in early Chinese Buddhism, Buddhist hermeneutics, and the interaction between culture and religion. Through a careful analysis of the rhetorical methods employed by Mou-tzu, Keenan offers a fresh and engaging perspective on how Buddhist ideas were communicated to Chinese audiences.