异文化之间相互思想理解的可能性

The Possibility of the Mutual Understanding of Different Cultures

思想和文化的研究与置身于现代的自文化和他文化、自己和他者的认识密切相关。在这种场合应该避免把自文化和他文化相互对立,而陷于狭隘的本民族中心主义。以中国和日本的佛教为例,我们可以看到异文化之间如何相互理解各自的思想,以及在什么样的情况下容易使双方发生误解。为了避免误解,不应该轻易地认为可以立刻理解异文化,而应该经常意识到这是一个理解上有很多困难的他者,在考察思想的背景的同时,认识思想的差异和不同。只有把他者作为他者进行认识,反而会开启准确理解他者的大门。

The study of thoughts and culture in the modem world is closely related to the recognition of resi- dential culture and alien culture, self and the other. Antagonism between residential culture and alien culture should be avoided to prevent the obsession of ethnocentrism. Taking the case of the Buddhism in China and Japan for example, we can conceive of the mutual understanding of different cultures and the misunderstanding under certain conditions. To avoid misunderstanding, we should recognize the other identity of alien culture and realize the difference of thoughts when we come to examine the cultural backgrounds. To see the other as the other is the key to understanding the other.