The present study aims at providing a contemporary interpretation of a well-known Ch'an text, the Linchilu, by addressing a new dimension of the text that has not previously been considered. Moreover, a methodological approach is adopted that is seldom implemented in standard studies of Ch'an texts. The focus of this dissertation is the theoretical connection between Lin-chi's notion of emancipation and his views of action, especially free action. Methodologically, various insights of depth-psychology are incorporated to illuminate the meditative experience that bears tremendous significance for Lin-chi's Ch'an training in realizing free action.
My exploration of Lin-chi's view of free action will be conducted from two perspectives: the theoretical-structural perspective and the existential-experiential perspective. These will be covered in the first and the second part of the dissertation respectively. The first part is divided into two chapters. One presents Lin-chi's notion of action and free action in light of the philosophical positions of major Western traditions. The other approaches it from a textual-historical perspective. The second part consists of four chapters, beginning with a demonstration of the premise that the problem of everyday action originates from the entangled structure imposed by the epistemological self. Then, we move on to elaborate Lin-chi's various emancipating insights as solutions to the previously formulated problems. The insights that lead to free action will be further illustrated from the psychosomatic perspective as they relate to varying levels of Lin-chi's meditative experience. Finally, the transformed acting modality will be explicated by juxtaposing it with the everyday acting modality.
