[Buddha-l] Postmoderism and Buddhism [was another query]

jkirk jkirk at spro.net
Wed Jul 27 15:23:04 MDT 2005


http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/2/western.php

In case you're unfamiliar with Slavoj Zizek, let me assure you: in
cultural studies circles, he's as big as they come.

And he know it: comments like "What was and is absolutely foreign to
Tibet is this Western logic of desire to penetrate the inaccessible
object beyond a limit, through a great ordeal and against natural
obstacles and vigilant patrols" reveal a level of hubris that staggers
the imagination. Zizek has never read a word of Tibetan; he has
absolutely no idea what he is talking about. Somehow, this just
doesn't seem to matter to him -- or to those who idolize him. Which
is, well, disconcerting for those of us who care enough about Buddhism
(and accuracy in scholarship) to spend the time and energy on trying
to get things right.

Best wishes,

R. Nance
==========================================
I just got back on list after a short hiatus. Reading the archive I found 
this message.
What a joy to read Richard's exposure of Slavoj. I encounter him off and on
in one of my favorite bi-weekly journals, but only read for hilarity. It is 
this crowd
that no doubt will condemn my published CD-ROM to eternity because the style
(lack of jargon) and approach don't conform to their preconceived and 
ignorant prejudices.
I am ever so grateful that they have not been able to co-opt Buddhist 
studies.
Joanna




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