Urs App
Urs App is a Swiss historian of ideas, indologist, and author. He is known for his extensive research and publications on the history of Eastern thought, Zen Buddhism, and the exchange of ideas between Asia and the West. App has contributed significantly to the understanding of Zen Buddhism and its key figures, as well as the study of Orientalism. His scholarly work often explores the interplay between Eastern philosophies and Western intellectual history, shedding light on the complex dynamics of cultural exchange.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Cult Of Emptiness The Western Discovery Of Buddhist Thought And The Invention Of Oriental Philosophy
This book delves into the fascinating journey of how Buddhist thought was introduced and interpreted in the West, tracing the origins back to the encounters between European intellectuals and Asian cultures. It explores the notion of "Oriental Philosophy" as a construct of Western imagination, shaped by the translations and interpretations of texts that were often misunderstood or taken out of context. The author critically examines the romanticization and misconceptions that led to the creation of a mystical and exotic Eastern philosophy, highlighting the impact of these interpretations on both Western perceptions of Buddhism and the development of modern philosophy. Through a meticulous historical analysis, the book reveals the complex dynamics of cultural exchange, intellectual curiosity, and the quest for spiritual understanding, shedding light on the enduring fascination with the concept of emptiness and the cultural constructs that have emerged around it.
The 8486th Greatest Book of All Time
