Philosophy of the Absence of Self

Abstract

The paper deals with the problem of absence of self in Japanese Buddhist philosophy. 13th century philosopher Dogen, as well as 20th century Nishida, both practised Zazen, built their philosophies on the theory of absence of self, and developed their own original theories of body. Philosophy of absence of self, alongside with the problem of emptiness in Buddhism, presents a challenge to modern European philosophy and its basis of rationality.