Heidegger, the foremost German philosopher of the twentieth century, stated that our authentic humanity manifests only through our activity. In his later years, he became aware that thinking was a diminishing activity in our contemporary world, although humanity is far from being thoughtless. As a result of such musings, Heidegger coined a word in his native German: Gelassenheit. Today’s translators of philosophical terms are busy trying to render this term into their respective mother ... view more »
Heidegger, the foremost German philosopher of the twentieth century, stated that our authentic humanity manifests only through our activity. In his later years, he became aware that thinking was a diminishing activity in our contemporary world, although humanity is far from being thoughtless. As a result of such musings, Heidegger coined a word in his native German: Gelassenheit. Today’s translators of philosophical terms are busy trying to render this term into their respective mother tongues. Some have translated it as serenity and others as relaxation. In doing so they have awakened the interests of theologians, ethicists, teachers, researchers, students and translators, not to mention meditators. In today’s world is it possible, or even advisable, to pinpoint and capture the meaning of such an elusive activity with a single word? This lecture is an invitation to consider the possibility.
Dr. Snjezana Akpinar, chancellor emerita of Dharma Realm Buddhist University, is originally from Croatia. Having graduated from the University of Belgrade and earned her doctorate in Ottoman Turkish Studies at the University of Istanbul, she lectured in Saudi Arabia, taught courses on Middle Eastern Civilization at the University of Akron, and published in the areas of Islamic studies and Eastern influences on Balkan cultures. Dr. Akpinar’s abiding interest remains in the study of religions and their encounters, commonalities and differences. Since the early nineties she has been an active member of Dharma Realm Buddhist University and, in that capacity, she also taught classes in comparative studies and interfaith dialogue at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Dr. Akpinar has published in Serbo-Croat, English and Turkish. Among her recent publications is a study on Islam and modernity published in Istanbul, Turkey.
This lecture will be held in the Upstairs Student Lounge in the New DRBU Building, 4951 Bodhi Way, at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. The New DRBU Building is a two-story building located at the east end of the campus. To get there, simply follow the signs for the vegetarian restaurant and then continue heading east. Parking is available outside the building.
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